Ludwig Supraphonic Snare

Now within the supraphonic range you can get this snare drum in two different configurations so you can either get it in a 14x5 or you can get it in a...

However, you can keep it simple by sticking to the stalwarts. The Ludwig Supraphonic is one of the most recorded drums of all time, that would certainly fit the bill for a versatile and timeless drum. You could definitely find a good condition used one in the $400 zone. Ludwig Black Beauty is another snare legend that would give you a slightly different flavor, again very widely available and good used deals out there.

I've had this snare drum since December of 2017. It's by far the best of the bunch (with the possible exception of that Yamaha Maple Custom snare, which I'll probably never know). It's always everything I want and never anything I don't. It always satisfies me.

If you can get a Ludwig Supraphonic (personally 6.5" depth - but 5" is also good) - you won't be disappointed ever!. I have way too many snares in all sizes, and you can get sensitivity in the deeper shells if you want but it means the heads have to be tight and you have to be good at tuning. But yeah, you get more of a fatter sound and WHOOMPF compared to straight punch of a skinnier depth shell.