Despite being a busy, working musician, Dan Dinsmore of Owl took time to chat about his Spaun Drums with Gearwire. He also talked with us a little about his Noble & Cooley Snare.

Dinsmore is currently touring the U.S. with Owl and working on a few records with other East Coast bands (he does a good deal of studio work). Owl is planning a European tour. Following that they head back into the studio to work on a new album.

You have a few snares. Which one do you use most often and why?

I would go with Noble & Cooley.

How does this snare work with your kit, i.e., how does it fit in tonally?

It's amazing. The drum is just never stressed.

Give me some specs.

The snare is made from maple wood. Noble & Cooley is a manufacturer of custom, hand-made snare drums and drum sets that has been in operation since 1854 in Granville, Massachusetts.

How do you pick a snare in general? What are you looking for when you check out a snare? Some folks have told me they want a sound that stands out, cuts through the rest of the kit and cymbals. Is that what you think?

I agree with that statement for rock or metal, but it really depends on the application. I really get off when I hit my snare and people blink in shock because it is so brutal.

What are some of the other snares you have?

I have many: a Ludwig black beauty, a Pearl brass, Pearl 13, Pork Pie, Spaun, DW, Gretch, Rogers, Tama and more. On the Owl record I used more than five different snare drums for various tunings.