SUPRA!

 

Supra: derived from Latin supra "above, beyond"

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supra

Until now, the one unrepresented material in my snare collection was aluminum. It's not something that bothered me though. I was perfectly content because brass, steel and woods present enough variety for me. But when this turned up from one of my regular drum sellers, I couldn't resist. Supras are legendary classics, touted as the "most recorded snare drum in history", and the choice of rock luminaries like John Bonham. While their sound hasn't changed, old ones show signs of age in the form of pitting. This is when the aluminum corrodes under the chrome plating, and shows up like acne. This one had to be brand spankin' new because the shell looked to be in immaculate condition, and it had a new P88 throw off and butt plate. I'll never know how the seller got the price down for such a new drum, but all I cared about is that I could afford it. 

When I got it, it was indeed in perfect condition. Lucky, JB music in Megamall finally got a shipment of new 14" drum heads, so it now has an Ambassador Coated batter and Evans Hazy 300 reso. I whipped out my mics, recorded some demo tracks, and confirmed that aluminum is every bit as well behaved under microphones as everyone says it is. It came with lug gaskets, which is a hotly debated topic in drum discussions. I like what I hear now, and am lazy to take them off. So they'll stay on for now.  I wouldn't take it to a live, much less unmic'd gig, as brass would project to the audience better. But for recording, this is most likely THE ONE.  

This is my third Ludwig snare, and the first that I didn't have to change the throw off. What a luxury. 

A WISHY WASHY STORY

 

I’ve had an on-and-off desire for the Swish Knocker over the decades. Back in the 90s I wanted one desperately, but none were available. It cooled off in the 2000s when I got my monstrous Paiste 22” 2002 China. 

It came back in the mid-2010s when I learned there was one available in JB Music MOA. But upon audition, I was less than impressed. It sounded stiff and lifeless, and lacked two rivets. Disappointed, I quickly forgot about it. 

Strangely, without rhyme or reason, I got curious again and called the store early this year asking if it was still there. Yup, the same cymbal was still there, still lacking two rivets. But the curiosity was easily doused upon remembering my last disappointing encounter. 

Finally, we were scheduled for dinner yesterday with my wife’s high school classmate in MOA. After parking, I had my wife go ahead to the restaurant while I stopped by JB for a quick peek at possible bargain. As I entered the door, I was reminded of it again. It wasn’t on display, and it took the sales person not a few minutes to dig it out of a pile. I knew it was the same one because it was still missing two rivets. Also, the big 25% off sale ended last week, so I would have to pay full price for it. But none of that mattered the moment I played it. Inexplicably, it sounded absolutely magnificent this time around. It had a rich throaty crash, funky ping, and sizzling wash. 

What changed in my attitude towards this cymbal? Was it having been stored and aged for almost a decade? Had the acoustics in the store been modified? Are my strokes different? Or was it just my shifting current taste? Whatever the reason, I walked out of the store with 2419 grams of year 2015 magnificence, and a lighter bank account.

A happy ending to a long and wishy-washy story.