like they did with the rest of the catalina club series,Gretsch has created a drum that has a sound that is of better quality then what you would expect at this price point. The drum has the bite and sensitivity that you would expect from metal, without alot of the annoying overing common in a steel shell drum. The drum has a sound similar to my vintage acrolite. Put on some Remo ambassadors & Puresound snares and you have a fine drum indeed !

Just got the 12" and it was exactly what I hoped it would be. For my needs, its the perfect bright, ringy, metal-sounding contrast to my deep, woody sounding maple main snare and can double as a timbale sound with snares turned off. Basic features however the butt end is thicker and works better than the cheap ones it looks like and the throwoff works very smoothly and has a solid feel. The advertised 1.6mm thin hoops seem more like 2mm and allow a better pop than thicker ones. No lug isolation gaskets or plastic tension rod washers to muffle the metal crack. Nice surprise in an inexpensive snare and matches my Gretsch lugs. I did install an Evans G Plus coated head instead of even trying the stock one, checked the tightness of the installation screws and lubricated the rods before using it. Good deal...the stand its on cost more than it did!

I got this snare today, and I already love it. It can be really punchy, like a slap in the face, or it can be really smooth for a more jazzy feel. My first steel snare, and I am pleased.