Frankie Amado
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2022
I play worship at church and this snare can be tuned down to give you that contemporary Christian music sound you hear a lot. Also I was able to tighten it up for a good tone to which I was able to add effects to. Overall has a warm tone!
KGBoogie
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2021
I was looking for a deep sounding snare (14 x 8 inch deep). I did not understand "swamp dawg," but I liked the mohogany look.Now after purchase; I understand some review says "marching band." It is light weight, sings well just like marching band snare drum (with 40 strand snare wires), but really different from "deep 8 inch sound."Also, this is made in Taiwan, and I think overpriced. I would pay $250-300, not $400! Depending on what your taste, Ludwig Black Magic is much better choice (new for $320).
Rich Golia
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2020
Putting together my Gretsch Broadkaster kit in 13/16/24 sizes, I was looking for the perfect snare to complete my sound. The Swamp Dawg is that snare. With its Mahogany shell, its got the perfect unique sound I'm looking for. So gritty and powerful yet smooth at the same time. Sounds great at low and mid tuning that I've tried so far, and I've heard only good things about high tuning as well. I have the snare wires a little tighter and I get the perfect sludgy crack from it, but for some real insanity I can loosen them up and unleash the beast within the swamp. Definitely recommend the Gretsch Swamp Dawg for a quality snare that wont break your wallet. If you want something powerful and a little different from the rest, but still want "That Great Gretsch Sound", this is the snare for you.
Cliffdrum
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2019
If you are looking for a deep, fat, chunky snare drum, look no further. I’ve only gigged with the drum one time, tuned it down, dampened it with moongels, and voila! The only negative is needing a lower profile snare stand, mine was a little too high, so I’ll be looking for a lower stand. I think this drum will be seeing a lot of action. A great value seeing as I have lots of drums costing double, that can’t do what this thing does.
Cat fan
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2019
This Gretsch Swamp Dawg Snare makes a great addition to my Rock and Roll/Rhythm and Blues kit. Its attack is full and very low when tuned properly. That's just what I wanted in the low tuning range. Unlike some other snares that are also deep, this one really speaks clearly at a low tuning. It's right there in the low range, and you don't have to work hard to find and keep a low voice. This Dawg has a strong bite! The drum is made of beautiful mahogany, with excellent 42 strand snares, and nice flanged hoops. Its lugs are to be valued because they hold their tuning well. Aptly named Swamp Dawg, it's true to the name. Why? In my mind's ear, I can hear marching snare drums played in olden days...fighting in swamp lands down South. This drum is worthy of that honorable Revolutionary and Civil War heritage. As far as I can hear, I now have a descendant of those fighting snare drums in my kit! That's the right sound for me! It's just totally mean. If you want a drum that you can tune low, that won't loose its bite at a low tuning, then a Swamp Dawg is your drum. And to the good people at Gretsch, I hope that you keep making these babies! They are classics in modern times. This is exactly what the drumming community needs. And the price is good. It's not cheap; but it's not outrageously expensive. It's a fair deal in my opinion. I've played some $800 snares that don't sound even close to this baby! And those snares were excellent. But the Dawg takes the prize in my kit.