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Snare Drums

Custom snare drums are available in 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 inch diameters, and virtually any depth.
Shell thickness as thin as 5 ply (0.13 inch, 3.3 mm), as thick as 50 ply (1.32 inch, 33.5 mm), and almost any thickness in between.
Choose from triple flange, die cast, or wood rims. Other options include
 large vent holes, custom finishes, and choice of lug and throwoff design.

See our Keller shell section for information on the many options available in shell materials and construction..

See our photo galleries for more drum photos

Shell type:

Maple is the choice of most drummers. However, Keller shells are now available in other types of wood, combinations, materials, and construction methods. See our Keller Shell section for more information on shell types.

Drum size:

Diameters available for Maple Snares:
8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

We can provide any available shell diameter in any depth you want.

For shell types other than Maple, see our Keller Shell section for detail on size offerings.

Shell thickness ( ply # ):

Maple shells are available in 5, 6, 8, and 10 ply

Maple Shell thickness chart Ply # Average Thickness 5 0.13” ( 3.3 mm ) 6 0.16” ( 4.0 mm ) 8 0.21” ( 5.4 mm ) 10 0.26” ( 6.7 mm )

Snare shells with a maximum depth of 8” are also available in 20, 30, 40, and 50. We can provide other ply configurations as special order items.

Maple Shell thickness chart 8” maximum depth Ply # Average Thickness 20 0.52” ( 13.4 mm ) 30 0.78” ( 20.1 mm ) 40 1.04” ( 26.8 mm ) 50 1.30” ( 33.5 mm )

Thin shells have a “warm” sound and a slightly softer stick response. Thick shells have “brighter” attack, a little more volume, a slightly “harder” stick response.

Reinforcing rings are recommended in 5 ply snare shells.

For shells other than Maple, see our Keller Shell section for detail on shell thickness offerings.

Reinforcing Rings:

Reinforcing rings are optional in all Maple shells.
Traditionally used in steam bent shells to hold the shell “in round”, Reinforcing rings are not necessary in Keller Maple shells for that reason. We recommend their use in 5 ply snare shells for the reason of shell stability and strength.
Reinforcing Rings effect on sound is somewhat mysterious, controversial, and often misunderstood. Some believe they dampen resonance, “focus” the sound, and raise the shell's pitch. Although all may be true when studied in a physics class, it is important to keep in mind that the human ear may not detect some of the subtle effects on sound.
When used on thin maple shells for stability reasons, their effect on sound can hardly to viewed as negative. They provide the added strength that the thin shells need, while allowing the warmth of the thin shell sound.

Bearing edge type:

Around 95% of the drums we build have “double 45” bearing edges, which give maximum resonance, clarity, and tuneability. A round edge is sometimes requested when a more “vintage” sound is desired from a modern Maple shell. Single 45 and 30 degree edges are rarely asked for, but we are happy to accommodate.

Snare Bed:

A snare bed is a shallow, gradual relief cut in the bottom bearing edge of a snare drum, at the area where the snare wire straps cross the bearing edge to meet the throwoff and butt end. When tightened, the drum head will follow the snare bed contour, allowing the snare wires to make contact with the head in the center of the shell diameter.

Snare beds are required on all snare drum shells unless you will be using a special “active” snare wire mechanism.

Throwoff & Butt end locations:

Let us know where you like the snare throwoff to be positioned while you’re playing. This will allow us to orient the throwoff accordingly, and in conjunction with the location of the wrap (or natural finish wood) seam.

Breather Hole locations:

Breather holes between 3/8” to 1/2” in diameter are placed in the back of all drums, unless otherwise requested.
If you desire large air holes, specify hole size, number of holes, and their locations.
Note: large air holes increase volume and attack, while reducing the tone of the shell sound.

Heads:

We will provide any drum head model from the following manufacturers:
Aquarian
Attack
Evans
Remo