Jay, do you believe that wire snares "wear out"... and need to be replaced... ie. bi-annually. Or as long as they aren't damanged...they are as good as new? Eric

Snares can be a real cause of headaches in terms of weird frequencies and other snare drum problems.  I don't think they "wear out" so much as get damaged.  I've had some sessions where the snares were actually decades old but sounded great.  So if you're having problems and suspect the snares:

-Turn the drum over and look at 'em!  If any snares are broken off and hanging there- that's a problem!!!  Take a pair of wire cutters and remove the offending snare wire as close to the plate as you can, I actually leave about 2mm and bend the "nub" away from the head so that it won't puncture it.  And then here's the important part:  Remove the snare wire on the opposite side to maintain even tension over the snares.  Example- If the broken wire was the 2nd one in from one side- remove the wire 2nd in from the opposite side- Even If It's Not Damaged!!!!  if the snares aren't distributing weight evenly- they'll buzz and frap.

-If there are no broken snares- release the strainer tension and look at the way the snares are laying on the head (sometimes I'll hold the drum up to see how they fall away)  If there's an obviously slack snare in the bunch- hanging lower or not as uniform as the others- I'll cut that one out (as well as his opposite!) using the same technique above.

-Snares look okay?  right then, let's turn our attention to the attaching string/tape/wires and ALIGNMENT.  Alignment is crucial!!!  turn the snares back on and look at the distance between the butt plate of the snares and the outside edge of the shell.  The distance on both sides of the butt plate should be the same and the distance between the opposite butt plate should be exactly the same with the snares engaged.  In short- that thing should be centered like a grade 6 geometry class!!!
Check out the general wear on the string or tape- if it appears like it's seen better days- it's always prudent to change them before they possibly break on you.  In front of thousands of fans.  Or your family at Christmas....

QUICK NOTE: Never use the wire or sheathed metal wire attachments on the market with wood drums- they can carve divots in the bearing edge- which is a wayyyyyyyy worse problem!!!

This is also a great time to check out the general working condition of the snare strainer itself- is it bent or damaged?  Rusted? A Ludwig P85???(chronically bad)  Do yourself a favour and replace it before it gets worse.  All companies offer their strainers as a replacement product- some way more expensive then they should be. I'm a pretty big fan of the Dunnett strainers available through Kaman- they have adjustable screw distances so you don't have to drill your drum and work just great.  Also not expensive at all!

I've just been using the new Puresound Custom Pro series snares and am a huge fan- If you're looking for options, check out the Puresound line available everywhere D'Addario products are sold.

Thanks for the question Eric!!!
JAY!