What is the primary material used in the Gretsch Brooklyn 13" x 7" snare?

The drum features a 2mm thick chrome-plated steel shell. This material choice provides a bright, reflective sound with significant projection and a clear high-end.

What are the dimensions of this specific Gretsch Brooklyn model?

This model has a 13-inch diameter and a 7-inch depth. The 13-inch width allows for higher tuning, while the 7-inch depth provides the necessary low-end body and volume.

What kind of hoops are used on this snare drum?

The drum is equipped with Gretsch 302 hoops. These are 3mm double-flanged steel hoops that provide a balance between the rigidity of die-cast hoops and the open resonance of traditional triple-flanged hoops.

Is the Gretsch Brooklyn 13" x 7" COS snare suitable for rock music?

Yes, its deep 7-inch shell and steel construction make it highly effective for rock. It offers the volume and punch required to cut through dense guitar arrangements.

How does the 45-degree bearing edge affect the sound?

The 45-degree bearing edge allows for less shell-to-head contact compared to rounded edges. This results in a drum that is more resonant and has a sharper, more defined attack.

How many snare wires does this model have?

It features 20-strand snare wires. This configuration is designed to provide a crisp, clear punch while remaining sensitive enough to capture soft ghost notes.

Where is the Gretsch Brooklyn series manufactured?

The Brooklyn series drums are manufactured in the United States. This ensures high-quality construction and adherence to Gretsch's professional manufacturing standards.

Can this drum be used for pop music?

Yes, its ability to project clear, open high tones makes it a popular choice for pop music. The 13-inch diameter allows it to sit perfectly in a modern pop mix.

What is the typical price range for this snare drum?

The typical price for this Gretsch Brooklyn snare drum is approximately £455. This positions it as a mid-to-high-end professional instrument.

How does this drum compare to a maple snare like the Sonor AQ2?

Unlike the maple-shelled Sonor AQ2 which offers a warm, woody tone, the Gretsch Brooklyn COS uses steel. This makes the Gretsch significantly brighter, louder, and more aggressive in its projection.

Does the chrome plating affect the drum's sound?

While chrome plating is primarily for aesthetics and protection, it can add a slight amount of mass and brightness to the steel shell. This contributes to the drum's clear and 'pingy' high-frequency response.

What makes the sound of the Brooklyn series 'unique'?

The uniqueness stems from the combination of a 2mm steel shell, 302 hoops, and the specific 13" x 7" dimensions. This produces a sound that is both high-pitched and physically powerful.

Gear article

Gretsch Brooklyn 13" x 7" Chrome Over Steel Snare Drum

The Gretsch Brooklyn 13" x 7" Chrome Over Steel (COS) is a high-performance snare drum manufactured in the USA, featuring a 2mm chrome-plated steel shell. It is designed to offer a versatile tonal range that balances high-end projection with a warm midrange, suitable for professional applications in rock and pop music.

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Overview

The Gretsch Brooklyn 13" x 7" Chrome Over Steel snare drum is a professionally oriented instrument produced in Gretsch’s American facilities. Despite its classification within electronic drum kit categories in some retail databases, it is a traditional acoustic snare drum built around a heavy 2mm steel shell. The drum is notable for its 'square' dimensions—combining a smaller 13-inch diameter with a deep 7-inch profile—to provide a unique mixture of high-pitched crack and low-end body.

Construction and Shell Design

The core of the instrument is a 2mm thick steel shell, which has been chrome-plated for both aesthetic appeal and enhanced durability. This thickness contributes to the drum's weight and reflective tonal properties. Gretsch has utilised a 45-degree bearing edge, which minimises the contact area between the drumhead and the shell, thereby promoting increased resonance and a faster response. The drum is fitted with 20-strand snare wires, intended to provide a clear punch while maintaining sensitivity for lighter playing techniques.

Hardware and Hoops

A defining feature of the Brooklyn series snare is the inclusion of Gretsch '302' hoops. These are 3mm thick, double-flanged steel hoops that are designed to mimic the sound of vintage stick-chopper hoops but with modern stability and durability. These hoops allow the drum to breathe more than heavy die-cast hoops, resulting in a more open and organic sound. The combination of the deep 7-inch shell and these specific hoops ensures a clear, open high-frequency response alongside a rich midrange.

Sound Character and Versatility

The Gretsch Brooklyn COS snare is characterised by its wide dynamic range. Due to the 13-inch diameter, it can easily reach higher registers with a sharp, 'poppy' tone. However, the 7-inch depth compensates by providing significant low-end resonance and volume, ensuring the sound remains full and never thin. This makes the drum particularly effective for rock and pop genres, where both high-end clarity and low-mid punch are required. The 20-strand snare wires further enhance this by allowing for warm, nuanced 'ghost notes' during intricate passages.

Market Comparison

In the professional snare drum market, the Brooklyn 13" x 7" COS competes with several high-end models. While the British Drum Co. Maverick and Sonor AQ2 utilise maple for a warmer, woodier tone, the Gretsch steel shell provides more 'bite' and projection. Compared to larger stainless steel models like the DW Collectors Series 14" x 5.5", the Gretsch’s smaller diameter offers a faster transient response, though it maintains similar volume levels due to its increased depth. It sits as a premium alternative to standard 14-inch steel snares, offering a more distinctive footprint and tonal character.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary material used in the Gretsch Brooklyn 13" x 7" snare?: The drum features a 2mm thick chrome-plated steel shell. This material choice provides a bright, reflective sound with significant projection and a clear high-end.
What are the dimensions of this specific Gretsch Brooklyn model?: This model has a 13-inch diameter and a 7-inch depth. The 13-inch width allows for higher tuning, while the 7-inch depth provides the necessary low-end body and volume.
What kind of hoops are used on this snare drum?: The drum is equipped with Gretsch 302 hoops. These are 3mm double-flanged steel hoops that provide a balance between the rigidity of die-cast hoops and the open resonance of traditional triple-flanged hoops.
Is the Gretsch Brooklyn 13" x 7" COS snare suitable for rock music?: Yes, its deep 7-inch shell and steel construction make it highly effective for rock. It offers the volume and punch required to cut through dense guitar arrangements.
How does the 45-degree bearing edge affect the sound?: The 45-degree bearing edge allows for less shell-to-head contact compared to rounded edges. This results in a drum that is more resonant and has a sharper, more defined attack.
How many snare wires does this model have?: It features 20-strand snare wires. This configuration is designed to provide a crisp, clear punch while remaining sensitive enough to capture soft ghost notes.
Where is the Gretsch Brooklyn series manufactured?: The Brooklyn series drums are manufactured in the United States. This ensures high-quality construction and adherence to Gretsch's professional manufacturing standards.
Can this drum be used for pop music?: Yes, its ability to project clear, open high tones makes it a popular choice for pop music. The 13-inch diameter allows it to sit perfectly in a modern pop mix.
What is the typical price range for this snare drum?: The typical price for this Gretsch Brooklyn snare drum is approximately £455. This positions it as a mid-to-high-end professional instrument.
How does this drum compare to a maple snare like the Sonor AQ2?: Unlike the maple-shelled Sonor AQ2 which offers a warm, woody tone, the Gretsch Brooklyn COS uses steel. This makes the Gretsch significantly brighter, louder, and more aggressive in its projection.
Does the chrome plating affect the drum's sound?: While chrome plating is primarily for aesthetics and protection, it can add a slight amount of mass and brightness to the steel shell. This contributes to the drum's clear and 'pingy' high-frequency response.
What makes the sound of the Brooklyn series 'unique'?: The uniqueness stems from the combination of a 2mm steel shell, 302 hoops, and the specific 13" x 7" dimensions. This produces a sound that is both high-pitched and physically powerful.