The man behind AD Drums, and this wooden snare, Carl Haffield, began "dabbling" in drums at the tender age of 14, having been asked to shorten the depths of a complete high-end kit for a mate!
"The AD Drums range makes a pick'n'mix counter appear dull in comparison"
Fortunately, instead of an act of drum brutality, the 'conversion' was a complete success, retaining the friendship and sowing the seeds of the potential for a business in drum construction and customisation.
However, it wasn't until 2007 that Carl (who has recently just turned 27), established AD Drums. Since then he has amassed a lavish back-catalogue of bespoke snares and complete kits in a huge range of colours, materials (hybrid, acrylic, wood, metal, etc), drum metal work components - a drum assortment that makes a pick'n'mix counter appear dull in comparison.
Build
With its maple ply counter hoops and recessed tuning bolts, this cherry/birch snare is quite striking - it is extremely difficult to stop touching the drum, it is a beautiful object!
The shell is constructed from alternate vertical staves of solid cherry and birch, pieced together with precise tongue and groove jointing. The bearing edges are cut dead-centre of the 12mm-deep stave and spaced to coincide with every other section of the 10 chromed tube lugs.
The final touch comes from the excellent GS007 trick throw-off - a well-engineered and commendable inclusion on such a snare.
Hands On
After a quick check and smooth adjustment of the head tensions, the cherry/birch combo is awarded with a few strikes. Cross-sticking over the maple rim gives a deep woody clonk and a pleasant warm snare 'thwock' when struck dead-centre.
This is a drum which comes with built-in finesse and grace and demands respectful brush work or delicate ghost notes when played with a pair of light sticks.
