So for Christmas/birthday present this year.
I want to get a new Pearl Championship Series Snare 14 x 11
Evans Grey Hybrids and Evans Gold Mx5 snare side.
But here's the thing I don't know what finish to choose from...
The colors Black to Yellow fade, or maybe a Black on top and bottom, then yellow in the middle? Or maybe a Yellow to black fade... I don't know what to choose... I was thinking about getting a new Pearl snare stand but I don't know which stand to get either.
Any suggestions?

I'm not a fan of the three-phase fades myself, not enough color in the phases. The black and yellow scheme seems pretty awesome though. What kind of fade are you thinking about? Sparkle, matte, or gloss? As far as I'm concerned, a stand is a stand.

I'm thinking maybe just a gloss or sparkle fade? What would you think might look better? This snare will be my first marching snare I'll own. So yeah... I don't what to choose from. Would a gloss fade, look better with black and yellow? Or a sparkle fade look better?

Well first Pearl, well nobody makes a 14 x 11 drum, Pearl makes
14x12 or 13x11 or 14x10 snares.. second I am assuming you are buying a stock color snare from Pearl then refinishing it? because Pearl does not have that color available on marching drums at all. and lastly if you push for a custom color like that from Pearl, expect to pay 20% mark up from the original price and up to a year of waiting. The drum in my profile picture was a custom finish from Pearl and it took over a year to get them in.

Honestly, it doesn't sound like you know a whole lot about the process of buying a marching snare. I really encourage you to research a lot. And not be sold on new. plenty of ebay deals that you can make a project drum. One other thing be careful with the finish you want. Flashy maybe cool but not a lot of people will see the drum, as well as trying to resale a drum like that for close to what you put into it will be impossible.

Just some advice

as far as stands.. I think the base model drum set snare stand works just fine. Since the drum is so big I never had a problem with the drum being to low. plus its a whole lot cheaper then a purpose built marching stand that only sits in your room. just opt for double brace, that is the only think i think is worth the money

Alright... I'll do some research on the finish. Ha ha yeah I didn't know about the dimensions of the snare... EPIC fail... If Pearl doesn't make that finish that I want... Would I try Dynasty or Yamaha? I've talked with Dynasty before on the Blue Devils '08 finish... Would it be cheaper to buy Dynasty over Pearl? Yeah I really don't a lot of purchasing a new snare. I've always used my school's drums.

For projecting? I just wanted a snare to practice on. Not for field projection. What would be good for practice snare, to mess around on. I'll scope out ebay for snares.

Thanks for the advice though(:

Practice snare drum you say....well my answer for that is an indoor drum. Pearl, Dynasty, and Mapex make good drums. They all have a series with a marching snare scaled down for size. They make good "practice" drums, but it's still a good size sound you'll be making.

http://www.pearldrum.com/Products/Marching/Championship-Articulite/FFX-Snare.aspx

http://dynastyband.com/products/Marching-Percussion/Marching-Snares

http://www.jupitermusic.com/jbi_instrumentDetails.aspx?cId=&lId=&sId=&pId=517

Maybe a good finish within your taste isn't totally possible, but just remember to REALLY look into it. I own a Pearl 14x12, and I rarely use my baby. She picks up dust more than she gets played, and it isn't very cool. If it is what you want, then awesome, just really think it through.

As a little tip...I have the full drum and it takes up a lot of space. Those smaller drums are easier to carry around, and you can easily move it around. It's especially lovely to own your own stuff for auditions, it's pretty sweet when you take up even less space than everyone else there as well.

Just order my Cuz a Pearl ffx maple 14x12 in green mist.Its coming in 4-6 MONTHS. poor kid has to wait. (haha) but I got a AWESOME price for it . but in the process of finding someone to order it from I got a quote on the same drum and everything ( differnt store) but $350 MORE ! some places try to screw you .

The Place I ended up using to order it, actualy just order 8 of the same drum ( color and all )for the DCA corps CT Hurricanes.

the store I used is
National Music in Woburn Ma.


Good Luck.

Some really good advice from the posts above, I totally agree with getting a smaller drum. I have two personal snares both 14" and they take up a lot of room and I don't play them as much as I want. A shorty style snare is a perfect practice drum..

OK here is the thing about custom finishes. Pearl has told me they will do any master work finish. But you have to fight the dealer who will say no.. then you have to confirm with a Pearl rep, and then make sure your order gets placed in Japan. (which didn t happen with our line) and then wait up to 6 months for us a year. its a long process. The color choice you want is only available in the masterworks series which is total custom and won't be available on marching drums (already asked) That's Pearl's process.

Now Dynasty has now custom wood grain finishes and sparkle fades.. I don't know the lead time or mark up. But it is probably same proceedure.

Mapex I don't know either

But, having a custom single drum made will take a lot longer..
Pearl will put your order down on the list till a full line of that color is called for. It's a waste for them to finish a single drum. Big orders get priority..

My advice is go for a used corps drum, Its way more interesting then one you designed. Plus corps has finishes unavailable to the public. I have a 93 cadets snare gold on gold.. I know Pearl has not made it since. only 8 exist

Check Forks drum closet they handle most of Pearl's corps gear.
email Dynasty and Yamaha or whoever they will point you in the right direction..

It seems every corps this year has some pretty sweet looking drums this year. See if any of them are selling them off after the season. Another reason to wait; Tama's marching division is putting out some sweet drums that will probably be on the market pretty soon. If I was looking at buying a drum I would get one of those.

Whoa... I didn't about that much... Lol. But dang. Seems like a lot of work. Is Lonestar or Steve wiess music good places to order? If anything I could go all black on the drum and hardware to be simple and still look dope, with a hybrids grey and a gold mx5. You know? But what about Yamaha are they good? I've seen our old Yamaha drums and I didn't really like them. But hey that's just me. Are shorties or indoor drums lighter then then regular ffx 14 x 12?