PURESOUND CUSTOM PRO SNARE WIRES

P
uresound was at the vanguard of
the after-market snare wire
revolution, its Vintage custom wires
the answer to every retro-head’s call
for replacement parts, and its Custom and
Blaster ranges supplanted the generic
steelies on many drums. Now Puresound has
enlisted the help of boffi n Bob Gatzen to
further develop its product range.
Build
We were sent four sets of the new Puresound
Custom Pro snares – a 20 and 24 strand set
made from Puresound's premium-grade steel
alloy wire coil, and the same from its new
brass wire coil.
The wires are soldered into the copper-
coloured end-plates, which are drilled to
allow the use of either straps or cord. In a
departure from previous models, the corners
of the end-plates are bent down, to bring
them below the level of the wires. This is one
of Puresound and Gatzen’s innovations –
called the ‘Anti-Choke’ end-plate, they are
designed to reduce snare buzz and increase
the range of wire tension, to allow the player
to crank up their wires without them choking.
Puresound also includes its new ‘Speed
Release Strap’ which uses a cotter pin to allow
for quick wire removal without having to undo
the strainer and butt-end.
Hands On
Installing the Custom Pro wires is a doddle,
and if you want to change the resonant head
in a hurry, simply slip the cotter pin out from
each strap and take the wires off. You can
even swap wires between songs.
The steel wires speak with a crisp,
authoritative tone, perhaps slightly muted
initially compared with the generic rattly
steelies, but the dynamic range available is
much wider and the Anti-Choke plates do
much to isolate the snares from the resonant
frequencies that cause snare buzz. The
24-strand wires give a more ‘chattery’ sound
PRICES
£29 (all Custom Pro
models)
MODELS
AVAILABLE
13" 20-strand steel
Custom Pro
13" 20-strand brass
Custom Pro
13" 24-strand steel
Custom Pro
13" 24-strand brass
Custom Pro
14" 20-strand steel
Custom Pro
14" 20-strand brass
Custom Pro
14" 24-strand steel
Custom Pro
14" 24-strand brass
Custom Pro
CONTACT
D’Addario UK Limited,
A3 Eleventh Avenue,
Team Valley Trading
Estate, Gateshead
NE11 0JY
Tel: [phone]
Website:
www.daddario.co.uk/
www.puresoundper-
cussion.com
ESSENTIAL SPEC
– there’s more ‘snare’ and less drum than with
the 20-stranders, and they allow a more
sensitive touch to be heard.
The brass wires are brighter and warmer
than the steel – a more open sound that is
higher-pitched and with less decay – ideal for
those of us who like a snare to be wide open.
The steel wires were more controlled, but
equally as responsive.
Verdict
Puresound’s innovations with the Custom
Pro range have made the drummer’s life
incrementally easier. The Speed Release Strap
means head changes (and even wire changes)
can be made swiftly, without having to fi ddle
with the strainer for ages afterwards. The
Anti-Choke plates reduce buzz, and allow for a
greater dynamic range, and the choice of
brass and steel wires means there’s something
to suit all tastes. You’ve never had it so good!
Rating ✪✪✪✪✪
98 RHYTHM JANUARY 2011
PURESOUND CUSTOM
PRO SNARE WIRES
£29 Have Puresound’s new Custom Pro wires ‘en-snared’ Jake Stacey? Let’s fi nd out...
ANTI-CHOKE END-PLATES
are designed to reduce snare buzz
and increase the range of wire tension
SPEED RELEASE
Strap means head and wire
changes can be made swiftly
5 S TA R R E V IE W
EXCLUSIVE
RHY185.gear_puresound 98 11/19/10 4:01:20 PM