It is just ........ more. I have had two. Maximum sensitivity with a coated Diiplomat batter over an Ambassador snare side. I go two turns above finger tight on top, two and a half on bottom. I have 31 Rogers snare drums spanning 61-84 Dyna-Sonic, Powertone, Tower, SuperTen. TommyP made a setup guide for the Dyna-Sonic that is one of the best ever, it is in the guides connected to this forum. Wire tension on the frame and frame tightness to the head are key to snare sensitivity, no matter what head tensions you might be using for the sound you are getting from the drum. Head tension will affect sensitivity. Head selection will affect sensitivity I have never used a skintone head on anything, I have used a lot of different heads though and some are surprising, while others are sadly disappointing. The disappointing ones just do not work on the Dyna-Sonic. Tension can be too loose and too tight. Experimentation will eventually make you find the sweet spot for your particular drum. I am not a "good" drummer. I have passible skills. But, I love this snare drum.

The 6.5 is much more than just a bigger louder version of the drum. You can crank it up to nearly an identical pitch, but it is still a fatter note. I am not good at this whole description of "sound." I will say, this is one of the absolute best snare drums that can be had at any price. It will give as good as it gets against any snare, custom or brand name available at any price.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Ploughman,

Yes indeed, this is helpful.

I've put an Ambassador Coated batter and an Aquarina snare side on my drum. Initially, I didn't crank the snare side sufficiently, once I did, though, it started to reveal its true identity. I set it up using TommyP's guide.

This is an outstanding snare drum, and that is why I am interested to know more about the differences between Big Rs and the seven liners.

Perhaps I will try the Diplomat/Amb snare combo you mention. But I am extremely happy with what I get right now. I just think I want one more Dynasonic, and I don't know if it is going to be a Big R 6.5 or a 1960s 5 inch seven line.

I am all with you when you say that you love this snare drum.

/Magnus

Next time I have a Seven Line drum disassembled.... I will put it on a scale and weigh the shell. I have a Dyna-Sonic badge from 1968 and a grommet (unknown origin) I can weigh to deduct from the value. I doubt its more than a couple of grams. Also same with a Big R. I do believe the seven line shell is heavier. I have ten COB 5x14 drums that span 61-77. Five are seven line drums. Three are Big R... the first, second, and third issue shells for the period.

Very interesting that the older shells are heavier! I take it that the primary difference between the older and newer Dynas is in how they look, not sound.

Thanks again for sharing your massive knowledge about these drums. And thanks for your fascinating website!

Best,

Magnus

Allow me to second Ploughman's comments re the sound. I have found that the 6.5" 7 liner is much more agreeable to my ear. They have more depth and body than the 5". Perhaps a bit more character, while still being very articulate.

As for preference, that is totally up to the user.

Thank you, Powertone, this is very helpful. I do like my 6.5 inch Bronze Supra and would not prefer a 5 inch one.

Best,

Magnus

Over the twenty-three years of Dyna-Sonic production, the sound never fundamentally changed. Neither did the drum. There are at least one variation per year over those same twenty three years. Everything from screw sizes, screw types, weight of shell, shape of edge returns, basically the entire drum and all that is on it. But whether you have one from 64 or 84, when you start to play, it is a Dyna-Sonic and you know it. I really enjoy playing the four .... seven line drums I have. I have a fifth one, a first gen, needing lugs. Soon, I will get to play that one also.

I have shell weights for many of my snare drums! They are weighed on my commercial grade Pitney-Bowes scale, accurate to 0.1 oz up to 70 pounds!

My 5-line 5x14 shell, late 60's-early 70's weighs in at 3lbs 3.0oz. My 7-line 5x14, 1966 shell, weighs 3lbs 4.5oz. All shells were weighed with the grommet/badge and script logo intact.

So, it does appear there is a very slight weight difference between these COB shells!

Mark

I can't can't tell you a lot of detail, but I can tell you that my 5x14, 5-line COB Dynasonic from late '67/early 68 (now formerly mine actually) was used by all three drummers playing this weekend's gig including me. Rock, jazz and funk were in play and it worked extremely well in all cases. It had an Evans batter and Remo Ambassador snare side. Unfortunately, I didn't notice the exact Evans head that was on it. Ordinarily I would use an Ambassador batter on a snare side, but grabbed this out of storage before coming back and didn't check to see what was on it. Overall though, it was fine. Took heavy hits on rim with great response and yet worked with bundles and brushes too. Great drum, but I sold it along with the entire Holiday kit so the band here has some good drums to use.

I'm down to one wooden shell Dyna and one wooden shell PowerTone. Interested to try working with the wooden drums again because I've mostly been using the brass ones over the past two years and the Dyna has been mostly a shelf drum. Not any more!