> > > BeatIt Vintage Test: Sonor S-Class Maple snare drum

As most of our viewers know, it was late spring of last year when we locked ourselves away at Perlazza Studio (based in Poznań, Poland), where we tested quite a number of vintage drum kits and snares provided by Mateusz Wysocki and his MW-Vintage company, which (as the name suggests) specializes in vintage drums. We performed the test under the sonic supervision of musician, award-winning producer, studio owner and, most of all, a drum maniac, Przemysław Wejmann. To be more exact, it was drummer Max Psuja, who tested all the gear while the beatit.tv team recorded the video and the sound engineer/producer took care of the sonic side of things.

Max Psuja, as an utter vintage drum maniac, a former employee of a drum shop, and a great drummer, who has collaborated with a host of popular acts in Poland, such as Kumka Olik, Holak, Lilly Hates Roses or Yoachim, was perfect for the role of ’lab tester’. Needless to say, he was more than eager to do the job.

We have been publishing the results of our tests successively in the last few months, and there’s lots more to come. Today, it is time for…

14″ x 5″ Sonor S-Class Maple Snare

1. Product

  • Manufacturer: Sonor
  • Model: S-Class
  • Size: 14″ x 5”
  • Material: Maple
  • Hoops: 10 tension rods
  • Strainer: SONOR Force/S-Class snare drum strainer, black
  • Lugs: Single Point
  • Snares: Stainless, 20 strand
  • Heads: WS Classic Coated / Classic Clear
  • Color: Natural Maple

2. Test and sound

When testing the 14″ x 5″ Sonor S-Class Maple, we also used a Pearl MHX drum kit, Impression cymbals and Aquarian heads (Response 2 Coated on the toms, Texture Coated and Classic Clear on the snare as well as Super Kick I on the bass drum).

Max first presented the sound of the snare produced by single strokes at different levels of dynamics, he then proceeded to playing rudiment-based patterns to finish off with a rhythm figure using all the kit elements as well as performing a groove.

We think that the Sonor S-Class snare drum has a very warm sound, which is suitable for many different musical genres. The attack is very distinct, the cross-stick sound is loud, although maybe a tiny bit dull, while the snares respond very well (not too sharp), but perhaps lack in explosiveness. There is a slight element of a tinny characteristic, especially when hitting hard on the drum. However, the latter two characteristics shouldn’t be surprise to vintage snare fans. Certainly, an instrument worth their attention!

Drummers and Drummerettes! It’s time to put the14″ x 5″ Sonor S-Class Maple snare drum to the most important test of all, i. e. the en.beatit.tv viewers’ test! Exclusively for you, we give you Max Psuja!