Most wooden snare drums are built from somewhere between six and 10 thin layers of veneer. Spaun Drums builds some of its snares with 40.
Last week, the Fort Collins, Colorado, company showed off a custom 40-ply maple snare that shows just how far it's willing to push the idea. It's a good excuse to ask a simple design question: what do all those layers actually do?
Photo: Spaun
The short version
Spaun's showcase snare is 8" deep by 12" across, with a 40-ply, 100% maple shell (Sept. 23).
A typical thick snare uses 8 to 10 plies. Pearl puts a 10-ply shell at about 12.5mm.
Spaun says a thicker shell is louder, slightly higher in pitch and more focused, with less ring.
Stock 40-ply models currently list from about $1,169 to $1,279 on sale, with a three-month lead time.
Thickness is a design choice
Shell thickness is one of the biggest tone controls a drum builder has. Pearl explains that thin shells vibrate easily and produce a rich, woody tone that suits recording and close listening. Thicker shells resist vibration and push more energy out toward the audience. At 8 to 10 plies, Pearl says, a wood snare starts to rival metal drums for intensity.
Spaun takes that logic to the extreme. In theory, a shell this stiff barely moves, so more of the sound comes from the heads and snare wires. Spaun describes the result as more "crack" and power while keeping warmth and sensitivity.
The showcase drum
The custom snare pairs its 40-ply shell with a Blue Burst lacquer over an exotic mappa burl outer layer, vintage-style tube lugs, a die-cast batter hoop and black nickel hardware. Spaun says it's built for more volume, a focused fundamental pitch and extra crack.
Not a one-off
Thick shells are a regular part of Spaun's line. It offers 24-, 30- and 40-ply snares in all-maple, all-birch or hybrid builds. Its 6.5x14 40-ply maple model adds solid brass lugs, double 45-degree bearing edges and what Spaun calls a "hyper-sensitive" snare bed, with a 10- to 12-week build time.
Why it matters
Drummers: If you play loud rooms and want a snare that cuts without endless ring, thickness is worth exploring. Expect a heavier drum and a higher price.
Builders and brands: Spaun, founded in 1997, is a reminder that small American makers can stand out through construction, not just finishes.
Retailers: Custom, made-to-order snares with long lead times are a niche, but they're a passionate one.
Photo: Spaun
Sources: Drumming News Network (Sept. 23, 2026); Spaun's multi-ply collection and 40-ply maple snare pages; shell thickness guidance from Pearl Drums.