Image sourced from Reddit 

Have you ever wondered what the vintage snare drum stand would look like while staring at your modern snare drum stand? 

Well, the evolution of the snare drum stands has been interesting. If you are a music enthusiast, it is something you must not miss.

Snare drums have been part of the drummer's kit since the thirteenth century, but their first use dates back to that time. In the meantime, the snare has undergone various changes to become the shape that it is today.  

This blog post will discuss in detail the different phases of the evolution of the snare drum stand. In the end, we will have a product section where you can choose a snare drum stand.

Early History of Snare Drum Stands

The early history of the snare drum stand is linked to military use. The snare drum was used for communication and ceremonial functions.

In military use, the snare drum was essential for marching bands and parades. It was used to signal commands and rhythms to communicate with soldiers.

The snare drum was often used in ceremonial functions, especially royal events and religious ceremonial functions.

The snare drum required some sort of support to play it properly, which gave rise to the early forms of snare drum stands. The earliest support or stand for the snare drum was slings or harnesses that helped hang it at a convenient height so it could be easily played.

This snare drum support method had issues with mobility and comfort, so a solid support or a stand was needed.

So, early snare drum stands were made to hold the drum at a convenient height so the player could sit appropriately.    

The early snare drum stands were primarily made of wood. Wood stands were used because they were available and easy to make. In terms of the design element, the simple tripod stand was used.

The metal as material was only used in the fitting and the screws to enhance the stability of the snare drum stand. The construction of the stands was manual, and the main focus was to make the stand stand longer and hold the snare drum properly. 

Overview of Vintage Snare Drum Stands

The vintage snare drum stands were mostly single-braced, chrome-plated, and lightweight. 

In the past, single-braced legs were used because they were lightweight. At that time, the focus was on creating a stand that could easily handle the equipment.

The decision to incorporate a single-braced leg in vintage snare drum stands was driven by practicality. This design choice significantly reduced the stand's overall weight, making it more portable and travel-friendly. This was a key consideration for musicians who were constantly on the move.

The stands were chrome plated to prevent rust and give them a sleek appearance. Chrome plating makes the stand look more professional and thus enhances the mood of the overall performance.    

Apart from the structural design, the early snare drum stands also had some adjustability and stability features as well.

Although they didn't have as much adjustability as the others, they had some features with minimal adjustability in height and angles.

For stability, the rubber feet were an innovation that really had an impact by reducing slippage and increasing stability overall.

Here is a youtube video explaining about different giant vintage snare drums.

 

Evolution of Snare Drum Stands from Vintage to Modern Designs

With time, the snare drum stands evolved from vintage to modern design, with technological advancements such as double leg bracing, height adjustability, air suspension systems, and more.

These changes led to the making of the modern snare drum stands that you use nowadays. 

In the vintage stands, the single-braced legs were used. Still, more stability and durability for aggressive play became essential with time. So, legs with double bracing were introduced to fulfill the current needs.

The introduction of the double bracing legs greatly improved the playing of snare drums. These stands were able to handle aggressive play and had greater stability, which greatly improved the musicians' performances.

The need for designs with practical features like height adjustability and customization concerning the artists was raised in the modern era. So, the manufacturers had to determine the arrangements they could make to sort out the issues.   

Manufacturers added adjustable height features to modern stands. This allowed drummers to customize the stand and adjust it to the height at which they wanted to play the snare drum.

Modern snare drums are also equipped with air suspension. The air suspension system greatly helps absorb shock and vibrations, reducing unwanted noise and improving overall sound quality.

Apart from that, other factors also played a huge role in the evolution of the snare drum stands, such as musical style and performance demands.

The musical style influenced a great deal in the evolution of the snare drum stands. As the trend of jazz and rock began to rise, the drummer needed stands that could withstand intense play. 

So, the manufacturers have come up with more robust styles and designs that can go along with that style of play.

Many performers had different demands concerning the style of play and other factors, so customization was done with time to make stands more durable and stable for them as well.

Comparison of Vintage vs Modern Stands

Many factors, such as stability and durability, can be compared between vintage and modern stands.

Stability

The modern designs became more stable, with the addition of double bracing and more components. As said earlier, the evolution of the manufacturing process incorporated certain different features that helped increase the stability of the stands. The positing options were also changed, which helped with the stability element of the stands.

The evolution and change in the vintage designs were due to the increasing need for intense performances. In intense performances, stability is the most important factor, so the key focus in the modern snare drum stands was stability.

Material and Build Quality

When comparing vintage and modern designs based on material and build quality, the vintage ones used heavy metals, and the modern ones used lightweight metals.

The vintage designs used heavy metal, which may have caused issues like portability and weight. However, the pros of the vintage designs were that they were more durable, which could mask the heavyweight and portability issues for some users.

Modern designs focused on the use of lightweight materials. Materials like aluminum are used as they are easier to transport, but at the same time, they don't compromise the strength element of the stand.

Adjustability and Comfort

The vintage designs had limited adjustable features due to simpler mechanisms. These stands did not cater to the needs of the different styles of play, so this limited adjustability was an issue to be solved. Also, comfort was compromised in vintage designs.

In modern designs, the design element is changed to tackle these issues. The modern snare drum designs have features like height adjustability and angle adjustments. Memory lock systems are also incorporated.

This helps the player get the exact same adjustability of the drum stand as last time. So, it helps the drum feel better and more comfortable when playing the drum stand.     

Portability

The vintage designs' portability was an issue due to the use of heavy metals in the making, and they were less compact. These issues made the transportation of the vintage snare drum stands troublesome.

However, keeping these issues in mind, modern designs are made with light materials like aluminum, which helps reduce the weight but doesn't compromise the strength of the stand.

The stands' design was also made so that they could be compacted into a smaller space while traveling. They can be untied, and parts can be transported separately, minimizing the space used.

Compatibility with Drums

The vintage designs are incompatible with all the available drum styles and designs. Generally, the new drum designs are much more compatible with the modern snare drums.

So, opting for a vintage snare drum stand leads to compatibility issues, as you must ensure the drum stand is compatible with the snare drum.

On the other hand, modern snare drum stands are universally compatible with different snare drums and have adjustability features that help ensure compatibility with the drums.

Price and Availability

In terms of price and availability, vintage designs are more expensive. The reason for this is that vintage designs are rare and thus have collector’s value. In contrast, modern designs are readily available and thus cheaper than vintage designs.  

Trends in Snare Drum Stand Design

Here, we have the top trends in the snare drum stand designs.

Height and Angle Adjustability

Height and angle adjustability are the major trends in the market these days. Manufacturers are making more adjustable designs in terms of angle and height to cater to people's needs.

In recent times, there has been a trend of people looking for stands that provide adjustability features. People want to invest in a stand they can use for multiple snare drum types, which can be adjusted. 

Thus, manufacturers are looking proactively to design stands that have higher adjustability in terms of height and angle. 

Apart from compatibility, stability is needed to customize the stand according to the player. With it, the drummer can customize the height and angle according to personal preference.

Compact and Lightweight 

There is a recent trend to make stands more compact and use lightweight materials. This trend helps create stands that are more portable, as they need less space and are lightweight.

The vintage stands were more durable, but they used heavy metals that caused issues with portability and were not compact. So, in modern designs, the trend is to make lightweight and compact stands.

For lightweight stands, lightweight materials with the desired strength are used, such as aluminum, carbon fiber, etc. This material does not compromise the strength element of the stand.

Improved Stability

Innovations have been made in recent designs to make the designs more and more stable. The snare drum has recently been used for more intense play than in the previous era.

So, according to the style of the play, the stability needs of the stands are increased. Considering this issue, the designs consider elements like the eight distribution and the base designs. 

These two elements are key to stability. So, by precisely designing the stand and optimally using these elements, manufacturers can reduce the wobbling and enhance the stand's stability.

Enhanced Ergonomics

Focusing on comfort is one of the trends in snare drum stands. Recently, manufacturers have been looking for stands with added elements for comfort and enhanced ergonomics.

Stands are made with features like padded grips and smooth adjustments that will help reduce fatigue and enhance comfort.

Another element that facilitates and adds to the user's comfort is the presence of memory locks. Most users adjust the stand's height and angle to find the best position for themselves.

Then, they want the stand to remain in that position, and the memory lock system helps them with this issue. They always get their desired position and adjust the stand.    

Compatibility With the Electronic Pads or Triggers 

Another trend is the compatibility of the snare drum stands with the electronic drum kits. Nowadays, electronic drum kits are popular and often used. 

So, the manufacturers want to make snare drum stands with integration options for the electronic drum kits.

This way, the snare drum stand can cater to the new audience and remain in trend. 

List of Top Snare Drum Stands  

Here is a list of 4 top snare drum stands offered at the geekstands.

Wood Snare Drum Set

 Image sourced from reddit 

The wood snare drum set is a snare drum stand consisting of a snare drum, a stand, and a drum with two pairs of wooden sticks. It is a complete drum package for drummers and musicians.

Specifications

• The size of the drum is 14 by 5.5 inches
• The drum's shell thickness is 7.5 mm, and it is made up of poplar wood
• The snare wire is 12 strands.
• The gross weight of the product is 11.5 pounds.
• The shell is finished with oak wood grain, which is wrapped around the shell.

 

Pros

• This product is ideal for beginners, as it is a complete package.
• The stand has height adjustability, which helps with the appropriate customization per user’s requirements.

Cons

• The use of poplar wood might cause sound quality issues 
• It is not for the ones looking to opt for only snare stands.

 

Extended Height Snare Drum Stand by Griffin 

              

  Image sourced from Geekstands

The extended-height snare drum stand is renowned for its height-adjustable feature, which is handy and makes the user's life easy.

Specifications

• The height of the snare serum stand can be extended from 30 to 42 inches.
• The adjustability feature is also available for the 8 to 15 inches diameter.
• The gross weight of the snare stand is 8 pounds.
• The base pipe used is of diameter 25 mm.
• The snare drum stand tripod configuration.

 

Pros

• The snare stand has rubber leg tips and a slip-proof inner nylon sleeve that helps with added stability.
• The stand is highly adjustable. Therefore, you can play in different styles.
• The stand can be used in live performance due to its customization and adjustability.

Cons

• The stand might feel a bit heavier as compared to its counterparts
• The stand occupies a larger area, which can be an issue for some.

 

Here is what our customer paradijme has to say about the product

Griffin snare drum stands

The snare drum stands are great. They work well and look good. Well made heavy duty stands that are adjustable to fit many drum sizes. Easy to set-up. Everything is good except for the strong smell from the packaging. They smell like moth balls and it has not gone away since I received them over two weeks ago. This needs to be addressed.

Gibraltar 8706 Flat Base Snare Drum Stand

                                

                                                     Image sourced from Ebay

The Gibraltar 8706 Flat Base Snare Drum Stand is a flat base designed snare drum. The design of this Gibraltar stand provides a classic look.

Specifications

• The stand has a key lock system, which is a memory lock system
• The stand also has a super lock system to prevent from metal to metal contact
• Lightweight 
• The stand has a hideaway boom-casting 
• The stand also has a gearless brake-style tilter

 

Pros

• The lightweight of the stand helps in ease of portability
• The stand has a flat base that makes it easier to position the stand and the pedals
• The key lock system helps with user convenience 
• The hideaway boom casting helps in the cymbal stand mounting

Cons

• The flat base may not be as stable as other bases, like the tripod ones on some surfaces.
• The stand has height adjustability, but it might be limited compared to the other ones.

 

Here is a customer review by our client Damilare Chidinma

Great Stand!

Very nice stand, the flat base really helps at the throne; seems like the footprints of snare stand and throne mesh really well. The stand holds my maple 14 x 5-1/2" snare securely, with every adjustment you'd need. It's lighter weight by design, not construction, knobs and chrome all first-rate. Anyone saying this isn't ready for prime time either got a bad one, or has lousy technique. Buy with complete confidence!

Gibraltar 9706UA-TP Turning Point Ultra Adjust Snare Stand

  Image sourced from Reddit 

The Gibraltar 9706UA-TP Turning Point Ultra Adjust is an aluminum base lightweight snare 

stand.

Specifications

• The stand has a height adjustability feature, and you can make height adjustments from 13 to 20 inches.
• The diameter of the stand is also adjustable from 10 to 15 inches.
• The dimensions of the package are 16.6 x 7.4 x 4.7 inches.   

 

Pros

• The stand is lightweight, making the portability factor easier
• The stand has an adjust mechanism. this feature helps in the accurate and precise positioning of the stand 
• The stand also has a low profile design that helps make it suitable for deeper snare drums

Cons

• The stand is a bit expensive 
• The stand is limited to only metal hoop drums

 

Here is a comparison table for the products

Product	Best For	Highlighting Feature	Pros	Cons
Griffin Wood Snare Drum Set	Complete set with accessories	Beginners	Complete set of equipment, affordable	Sound quality issues
Griffin Extended Height Stand	Extended height 30 to 42 inches	Stand-up playing	Adjustable for standing play,stable	A bit Heavy, larger footprint
Gibraltar 8706 Flat Base Stand	Flat base design	Compact setups	Lightweight, portable	Less stable on uneven surfaces
Gibraltar 9706UA-TP Stand	Ultra Adjust mechanism	Precision placement	Highly adjustable, lightweight	Limited drum compatibility, pricey
Griffin Heavy-Duty Snare Stand	Deluxe claw basket	Heavy use	Adjustable, robust and durable	Less portable

Why GeekStands for Snare Drum Stands

The Geekstand is a popular choice among people because of our adherence to quality products that ease the lives of artists and musicians.

Geekstands offers customers products like a snare drum stand kit, which is a complete package. We also offer products like extended-height snare stands, which can be used for full-fledged stage performances.

We offer these amazing products at affordable prices, so you won't have to break the bank when you want to buy the right snare drum stand for your usage.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your snare drum stand now!