Today it's my turn to give my opinion on one of the snare drums presented by the brand NP, the result of development work by the company Nova Percusio S.L, located in Valencia, Spain, which has more than 20 years of experience in the research and building of musical instruments, particularly in the world of percussion.
You will often find yourself in a similar situation when evaluating, selecting, examining or deciding to buy a new or used instrument. I say this because we know it is hard to choose when, among other things, the market is saturated with brands, models and prices. On top of that, once you have bought the instrument, you still have to confirm its quality through everyday use with regard to important details such as sound, tuning, the effectiveness of the snare system and versatility.
Construction
All NP snare drums are made of wood: a combination of maple and mahogany, 8 mm thick, ideal for this type of snare. The model we are reviewing today has a construction feature that makes its sound projection broad and powerful: the 45-degree cut angle of the shell's bearing edge, the spot where the head rests.
The lugs
They are made of "Zamak 5," injection-molded in the following proportions: zinc 85%, aluminum 4.2%, copper 1.1%, and 9.70 chrome-plated brass. The system, fitted with a swivel nut insert, lets the tension be just right without generating unwanted overtones.
The snare throw-off
It is built so that it rests directly on the head, with ideal sensitivity that prevents noise when engaging and releasing the snares. The snare attachment system (of curious design) offers, behind its apparent simplicity, great ease of operation and adjustment.
The hoops
They are made of rolled steel, 1.6 mm thick, with ten lugs per side.
Sizes and finish
As for sizes, they are whatever you want, since NP builds custom versions to order, in a huge range of colors (all lacquered). Regarding the finish, I can tell you that it is done with two base coats of polyurethane plus one more as the final coat, made with nitro lacquer, which is perfect for all kinds of percussion instruments. Its elegant, eye-catching finish gives it a certain personality compared to other brands.
Now we test it and listen
After several days of thoroughly analyzing the main features and components of this snare, I have come to the conclusion that it has a well-defined sound with very rich, clear overtones. That is an essential condition for creative playing (in search of colors and nuances), for example when playing with hands, brushes or mallets.
Tuning
Although it is advisable to use a stable tuning range for wooden snares, it is worth highlighting the wide tuning range this one offers. That versatility gives us everything from a low, long tone, similar to the "grenadier drum of a military parade," to the high, sparkling tone of a piccolo snare. I think this is largely due to the formula the manufacturer has found for combining material qualities. Unlike traditional eight-lug hoops, these ten-lug ones noticeably reduce the possible warping caused by tension, and make the instrument physically even more comfortable, keeping the integrity of the tone for much longer.
Conclusions
From my point of view, this is a serious, competitive offering that should be among the most recognized on the market. The quality of its materials, its performance and its magnificent price have the last word.
