Pearl Free Floating Snare Drums

[weckl-x]

Pearl’s Free Floating System Snare Drums have remained among the best selling and most widely used snare drums, year after year, for well over a decade. The "Free Floating" concept of removing all hardware from the shell is an extremely effective way of increasing the amount of coloration of each shell material to maximize its contribution to the overall sound of the drum. Pearl’s Free Floating System also allows you the option to swap shells as easily as changing a batter head. An aircraft quality aluminum alloy bottom edge ring is machined to provide perfect seating with the shell and is precision cut to offer the most stable, sensitive, responsive snare bed imaginable. All of the drum's hardware is attached to the edge ring, including the throw-off, allowing the shell to resonate unrestricted.

http://www.pearldrum.com/snares.asp

Been thinking of saving up for one. Anyone has comments? I think someone here owns one right? I'm not too sure, but I think it's about $600 here?
I do like the concept, and the fact that swapping shells is a better option than buying another snare. Does SweeLee stock the shells? I know, I'm better off going to check it out, I will be soon, just asking in case anyone knows off-hand.

 

[ahpek1]

I bought the Pearl Free Floating snare drum at $350. Currently i have maple, aluminium and nickle-plated brass shell. It comes with maple shell and i bought the aluminium shell at $120 and the nickle-plated brass shell at $98.

 

[weckl-x]

I bought the Pearl Free Floating snare drum at $350. Currently i have maple, aluminium and nickle-plated brass shell. It comes with maple shell and i bought the aluminium shell at $120 and the nickle-plated brass shell at $98.

Awesome! it must be real good to have 3 snares in one...

 

[alvyn]

ahpek, is the inter-changing of shells very troublesome? it seems that this is THE snare for budget drummers! a shell for different occasion, and venue, at an affordable price too.

$350 for a snare is super cheap... i think i'll save for one as well!

 

[ahpek1]

Actually, $350 is considered a normal price. To change the shell is quite easy bro. Just remove the top head and hoop, then change the shell and re-fit the hoop and head back. It's a cheap and good and the sound is quite satisfying.
Ya, good for budget drummer

 

[alvyn]

Actually, $350 is considered a normal price. To change the shell is quite easy bro. Just remove the top head and hoop, then change the shell and re-fit the hoop and head back. It's a cheap and good and the sound is quite satisfying.
Ya, good for budget drummer

haha tell that to yamaha man... i actually wanted to get my snare 1st hand at yamaha for $620, but luck was on my side and someone sold me a 2nd hand one at only $320 in 10/10 condition hehe.

hrm i think that'll be on my list to check out... you got yours frm swee lee ah ahpek?

 

[ahpek1]

yep, got it from swee lee!!

 

[weckl-x]

I expected it to be more expensive, because the 14x5 with 6 ply maple shell goes for US$379.95 online, approx S$600! So I was looking for it on ebay actually...

Not only can the shell material be changed, the shell depth also. Cool stuff.

Alvyn, which yamaha snare did you get? must be a signature model?

Steady lah alvyn, when enough, we go sweelee try to bargain for better discount for two. Haha.

 

[Frummer]

can change shell depth meh? i thought the free floating systems ( tube lugs ) come in different lengths to accomodate different depths...meaning if we wanna exhcange, we can only get a shell of same depth....? :?

 

[alvyn]

I expected it to be more expensive, because the 14x5 with 6 ply maple shell goes for US$379.95 online, approx S$600! So I was looking for it on ebay actually...

Not only can the shell material be changed, the shell depth also. Cool stuff.

Alvyn, which yamaha snare did you get? must be a signature model?

Steady lah alvyn, when enough, we go sweelee try to bargain for better discount for two. Haha.

haha where got signature model for $600+ only... the few signature models i saw were in excess of $900. i got an absolute maple 14x4... quite a good snare. only problem is that it can't go deep enough for my liking haha.

 

[weckl-x]

can change shell depth meh? i thought the free floating systems ( tube lugs ) come in different lengths to accomodate different depths...meaning if we wanna exhcange, we can only get a shell of same depth....? :?

Yup, if change shell depth, must get a set of new lugs. That one I'm not too sure how much. It sure is the transformer of snares though. Imagine if you get a set of maple hoops also 8O

Shell Options
Copper
Brass
Steel
6 ply 100% aged premium Maple

Shell Depths
3 1/2"
5"
6 1/2"

 

[alvyn]

can change shell depth meh? i thought the free floating systems ( tube lugs ) come in different lengths to accomodate different depths...meaning if we wanna exhcange, we can only get a shell of same depth....? :?

Yup, if change shell depth, must get a set of new lugs. That one I'm not too sure how much. It sure is the transformer of snares though. Imagine if you get a set of maple hoops also 8O

Shell Options
Copper
Brass
Steel
6 ply 100% aged premium Maple

Shell Depths
3 1/2"
5"
6 1/2"

phwoar u get a 14x6.5 maple, then u get all the shells. u'll be in heaven sia. switchable shells just like that.

 

[weckl-x]

haha where got signature model for $600+ only... the few signature models i saw were in excess of $900. i got an absolute maple 14x4... quite a good snare. only problem is that it can't go deep enough for my liking haha.

I see.. Yes, I see you amended your sig, I noticed last night, and wanted to ask "Zhun boh?"

 

[alvyn]

haha where got signature model for $600+ only... the few signature models i saw were in excess of $900. i got an absolute maple 14x4... quite a good snare. only problem is that it can't go deep enough for my liking haha.

I see.. Yes, I see you amended your sig, I noticed last night, and wanted to ask "Zhun boh?"

haha i didn't realise i typed 20" aax stage hats until someone pointed it out to me haha... oh man. imagine 20" hats. that's quite insane eh.

 

[weckl-x]

I just read on another forum, this guy got an acrylic shell cut for his Pearl FF...

 

[alvyn]

wah lao all this talk about the free floater is really, really making me very gian to get one.

if sweelee's selling it for anything less than $400, i think i might put my current snare up for sale to finance a free floater man.

everything i hear on the boards and on other boards are just fueling my interest and gian-ness in getting the snare!

 

[ahpek1]

Ya bro, you should go to Swee Lee, check the snare and the price out. I got mine in early 2000. But Pearl prices won't differ much, especially since US$ is down now. Should still be affordable.
For the shell, you don't have to worry, can custom order your shell to your needs eg brass, aluminium, copper, or other woods from any other drums-companies and will still fit nicely..

 

[Frummer]

alvyn, if u have any information about the stock, update me too...coz im interested in the 6.5" haha...

 

[alvyn]

alvyn, if u have any information about the stock, update me too...coz im interested in the 6.5" haha...

no problem frummer... drop me your number if possible @ 93696272?

i'll probably call swee lee tomorrow and ask kalai about the free floater. hmm if the price is still around $300-$400, i might consider letting my 14x4 go for it man.

 

[weckl-x]

Keep me updated too! Dropped by today, didn't see on the racks, but was in a rush, didn't ask...