EVALUATION OF CANOPUS SNARE WIRES
SEPT 14 2013 BY MIKE BAIRD
Let me start out by saying that from one drum to the next it was very difficult to find what would be a normal wood or metal drum (ply, steam bent, what type of wood etc.) metal brass, steel etc. But I did pick a few drums to get a general consensus this is what I used.
METAL DRUS USED
DW chrome over steel 61⁄2 X 14 a Tama chrome over steel 3×13 piccolo and a DW copper 61⁄2 X 14.
WOOD DRUMS USED
For wood we used early 80’s DW Craviotto 61⁄2 x 14 maple steam bent and a Tama 5×14 maple ply and a 3×13 piccolo ply drum.
BACK BEAT WIRES ON METAL DRUMS
BACK BEAT CHROME PLATED WIRES (CPSS-BB14NP)
Really crisp top end but not as warm as the DR and more overtones. The NP wires have a lower pitch compared to the Back Beat DR, which seemed like it would be just the opposite because of it being NP. More body then stock wires.
BACK BEAT NON PLATED WIRES (CPSS-BB14DR)
Fewer overtones, more top then the NP wires but dark but better body than regular stock wires.
Synopsis
Back Beat Wires really come alive in higher drum tunings the NP are more suited to club or live situations where drums ARE NOT mic’ed. Back Beat DR not as bright as the NP but still bright just more warmth and fatness but very dark.
VINTAGE WIRES ON METAL DRUMS
VINTAGE CHROME PLATED WIRES (CPSL-14NP, CPSL-13NP)
Good top end, good bite not sharp like Back beat and adds a very nice fat sound. Over all my favorite for studio and concert setting.
VINTAGE NON PLATED WIRES (CPSL-14DR, CPSL-13DR)
Vintage DR wires have a good top end and very good lower midrange, and dark but not as dark as the Back Beats DR. This wire I feel would shine on a vintage WFL or older vintage metal drum like that. Lots of body for Ballads, blues etc.
Synopsis
Both Vintage wires work great on all metal drums.
BACK BEAT WIRES ON WOOD DRUMS
BACK BEAT CHROME PLATED WIRES (CPSS-BB14NP)
A little nasal sounding better suited for higher tunings good for orchestral or jazz type finesse music or where playing definition is needed.
BACK BEAT NON PLATED WIRES (CPSS-BB14DR)
On wood drums the Back Beats DR work better than metal. Nice top end and body.
VINTAGE WIRES ON WOOD DRUMS
VINTAGE CHROME PLATED WIRES (CPSL-14NP, CPSL-13NP)
These have everything, sweet top end very good midrange and body. Not as much body as the Vintage DR but makes up for with everything else.
VINTAGE NON PLATED WIRES (CPSL-14DR, CPSL-13DR)
More meat or body and not as crisp as the Vintage NP, very good.
Synopsis
Turning high or low with both of the vintage wires work great. Sensivity is very good as well.
Summary
All the wires are much better than stock or standard wires; it then comes down to the drum the player and the gig. For me I really like the vintage wires especially the Vintage NP because it has everything and would fit any tuning range. But there are certain drums I would use the Vintage Brass for recordings or gigs where I really need that extra body.