DW True-Tone 14 in Snare Wires, 42 Strands
The 14 in True-Tone with 42 strands is the densest set of snare wires in the whole range: forty-two wires on a fourteen-inch drum. Fitted to a kit's main snare, it changes the drum's nature more than its setup.
What sets it apart
- 42 strands in the 14 in size
- The highest count offered in the range
- Maximum sensitivity to quiet dynamics
- Brass end plates
- Dampens the snare-side head: a short, direct note
Transform a drum rather than replace it
A drummer unhappy with their main snare first thinks of buying another one. It is the most expensive route, and often not the right one: much of what gets blamed on the shell actually comes from the head and the snare wires.
Moving to maximum density changes the drum's character clearly, for a fraction of the price of a new instrument. If the result does not suit you, the change can be undone in ten minutes.
What maximum density takes away, and what it gives
It takes away sustain. Held by forty-two points, the snare-side head stops vibrating freely after the stroke: the drum gives a short note that leaves room for the rest of the kit.
The payoff is a sensitivity no other count reaches. The light touches of the left hand, whispered buzz strokes, strokes placed with the tip of the stick: everything comes through.
A setup unlike an ordinary set
The biggest mistake is to tension this set like the previous one. With so many wires in contact, the drum reaches its response point much sooner, and tightening further only chokes it.
Bring the tension up in tiny steps, playing after each adjustment. As soon as the unwanted buzz stops, stop there: anything beyond that is lost.
Specifications
| Size | 14 in |
|---|---|
| Strands | 42 |
| Density | the highest offered in this size |
| Ends | brass |
| Other densities offered in 14 in | 20 and 30 strands |
What it is for
- A 14 in main snare to transform
- Very dynamic playing, pronounced ghost notes
- A drum that has to stay short in a busy band
- Recording where the snare tail is a problem
Compare with other manufacturers
What other manufacturers offer at the top of the density range:
| Manufacturer | Comparable model | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Puresound | High-count 14 in snare wires | Offers stepped counts up to similar densities |
| Ludwig | Stock snare wires | The brand's standard part, one density per size |
| Grover Pro Percussion | Concert snare wire set | Mixed materials in one set, orchestral use |
| Yamaha | High-density stock snare wires | Factory part fitted to the brand's snare beds |
Frequently asked questions
- 42 strands or 20: which should I choose?
- Twenty keeps the drum open and singing; forty-two makes it short, dry and very sensitive. The choice depends on the drum's role in the music, not on an idea of quality.
- Is it too much for loud rock?
- Not necessarily. A short note sits well in a wall of guitars. What disappears is the sustain, and many stage drummers gain from that rather than lose.
- How many snare strands do you really need?
- There is no right number in absolute terms. Density sets the balance between sensitivity and note length; the rest depends on the shell, the head and the style.
- Why has my drum sounded dead since the change?
- Almost always too much tension. A dense set must be tightened less than a light one: back it off and bring it up slowly.
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