Nate Meuller’s Snare Showdown: $80 to $1,100

What happens when a drummer gets “a couple more snares”? If you’re Nate Meuller, you end up with a mountain of them. In a recent video on his channel, Nate put eight snare drums head-to-head—from a $70 Pearl M80 to a custom $1,100 Patagonian rosewood stunner.

It’s a fun, honest look at how material, size, and price play into tone—and we were stoked to see a Dialtune snare in the mix.

The Lineup

Nate’s collection covers a wide spectrum:

• Pearl M80 (10x4") – affordable, punchy, but range-limited

• Gretsch Catalina Maple (14x6") – warm but boxy

• Duolio Custom Piccolo (14x3") – crisp and snappy

• Vintage Ludwig Superphonic – vintage tone that cuts

• Duolio Maple (14x6.5") – open and expressive

• DW Collector’s Brass (14x8") – heavy and powerful

• Dialtune Snare – fast to tune, clean across the board

• KPM Custom (13x7") – boutique tone and beautiful craftsmanship

All were tuned to five specific pitches using a Tunebot—from fat (E) to cranked (A)—to keep the playing field even.

How the Dialtune Snare Held Up

We didn’t send Nate a drum to compete—we sent it to solve a problem. He’s always dialing in different tones, so our tool-free tuning system made sense for his workflow. And it showed. The Dialtune snare held its own in tone, and Nate called it one of the easiest to work with. That’s exactly what we build for.

“This thing sounds great,” Nate said after playing it through the tunings.

It’s priced around $799, and while it might not have the boutique wood of the KPM or the sheer brass weight of the DW, it delivers fast adjustments, strong tone, and flexibility. For drummers juggling multiple sets or studio sessions, that ease can be a game changer.

The Takeaway

What really stood out in Nate’s video wasn’t just the snare tones—it was how different tools serve different players. Some snares need to be cranked to come alive. Others thrive at low tunings. But across the board, it’s all about fit—what feels right in your hands and in your mix.

We’re grateful to be part of the lineup. And we’re always listening. Nate’s feedback (and yours) helps shape what we build next. If you’ve got thoughts or want to be part of our artist community, we’d love to hear from you.

Watch the Full Video

Catch Nate’s full snare comparison here: