A snare gate is an opening in the lower counterhoop that allows for the snares to pass through it and to make contact with the resonant head.
Obviously, wooden counterhoops also feature this opening, so I had to make a couple of them when I built my Renaissance side drum.
I started with two 18″ counterhoops that I bought at Thomann. These hoops are intented for a bass drum, so they do not feature those openings. Using the outer layer “seam” as a simmetry axis I marked the “working zone”.
I used a Dremel and a cutting disk.
Using a sander I shaped the whole thing.
I then sanded the surface for a nice, smooth finish.
This is the final result.
Not too bad for the first time I´ve done it!
…et in Arcadia ego.
© David Valdés