Pearl equals quality, and for the past 12 months I have been reminded of this everyday. You'll find yourself saying, "now this is a snare drum!", especially if you are used to a lesser quality product. Adjusting the head and getting the right "cracking" sound as you bash into a super long show stopping solo, or just laying down the groove for a long jam session, this Pearl snare, is going to be more than reliable. Sit down to a few other snares, like I did, don't be afraid to use a drum key to get the sound right, even in the store, and I think you'll agree, for the price, Pearl snares are top of the line. I make the Pearl choice everyday for jam sessions and heavier practice, and don't plan on looking back!