Award-Winning Snare Drums
Welcome! We’re glad you’ve discovered Chicago Drum. At last, your search for a high-quality, vintage style snare drum is over. At Chicago Drum we produce high quality drums that stand out in a cookie cutter market, and we deliver a well-crafted instrument that will give you years of trouble free playing. Your Chicago Drum will fit any genre, from Blues to Funk, Jazz, Metal, Rock and everything in between.
Choose between our Chicago Classic™ Series and our Chicago Heritage™ Series. Our Chicago Classic Series features a thick 5-ply Maple/Poplar snare shell while our Chicago Heritage Series features the same thick 5-ply layup in a Mahogany/Poplar snare shell. The 5-ply layup is something Jack Moritz developed for Slingerland® back in the day, and one we’re committed to using on our snare drums. Both series are available in a multitude of natural and laminated finishes and include:
- Solid Maple Reinforcing Rings
- Edge detail such as 30 degree round-over bearing edges for improved contact
- Steel Chrome Plated Stick Saver Hoops
- Beaver Tail Lugs
- Our commitment to quality; we build them like we own them. No glue drips, uneven edges or minor imperfections. Everything is always quality inspected and ready to play right out of the box.
- A solid, vintage sound in a reliable modern drum
- Standard heads on snare drums are Remo Coated Ambassador®, batter side, and Remo Hazy Ambassador®, snare side. Alternate heads may be available at an additional cost.
Our custom-built snare drums come in a variety of sizes, all designed to create the ultimate sound that complements your kit. Test drive one of these amazing drums and see what you’ve been missing!
Did you know that Chicago Drum took top honors (twice!) the first and only time we participated in the Snare Drum Olympics sponsored by Not So Modern Drummer? The quality and sound of our drums was so amazing that one of our entries sold on the spot to an individual involved in the Snare Drum Olympics. Check out the links below to see what the judges had to say about their amazing sound.
“It’s striking me as a pretty sensitive drum. This guy definitely knows how to build, that’s for sure.” (2014 Snare Drum Olympics)
— Jim Riley, Drummer – Rascal Flatts
Chicago Drum’s Steam-Bent Maple
The Single Ply Solid Wood winner was Chicago Drum’s Steam-Bent Maple 5.5″ x 14″ drum with a Tung oil finish. This drum has a great tone and looks fantastic.
Watch the subjective judging video for this drum at the Snare Drum Olympics
Watch the blind judging video for this drum at the Snare Drum Olympics
Chicago Drum’s Plywood Maple/Poplar
The Plywood Shell winner was Chicago Drum’s Plywood Maple/Poplar 4″ x 14″ drum with a white pearl finish. This drum has a tight tone and a beautiful classic antique pearl look.
Watch the subjective judging video for this drum at the Snare Drum Olympics
Watch the blind judging video for this drum at the Snare Drum Olympics
“Placing 1st in Category in our first Snare Drum Olympics is a HUGE honor,” says Jim Moritz, President of Chicago Drum. “It validates our passion for the amount of craftsmanship that goes into every drum we make!”
Pick Your Snare Drum. We have a wide variety of classic snare drums to satisfy any appetite.
White Pearl Piccolo Snare Drum
Red-White-Blue Sparkle Snare Drum
Modern Bermuda Sand Snare Drum
Antique White Pearl Snare Drum