Pearl's Free Floating System Snare Drums have remained among the best selling and most widely used snare drums, year after year, for well over a decade. The "Free Floating" concept of removing all hardware from the shell is an extremely effective way of increasing the amount of coloration of each shell material to maximize its contribution to the overall sound of the drum.
Pearl's Free Floating System also allows you the option to swap shells as easily as changing a batter head. An aircraft quality aluminum alloy bottom edge ring is machined to provide perfect seating with the shell and is precision cut to offer the most stable, sensitive, responsive snare bed imaginable.
All of the drum's hardware is attached to the edge ring, including the throw-off, allowing the shell to resonate unrestricted. In 2005, the Free Floater was upgraded with our new SR-1000 GlideLock strainer. The GlideLock features a locking lever that will not disengage no matter how hard you play yet releases easily with a push of a button. The snare tension knob also locks to retain snare tension settings. Simply push and turn the knob to adjust and release to lock.
Special low-friction "bearings" and high precison castings assure smooth, gliding action. The Free Floater is also outfitted with our new SN-1420I UltraSound even tension snares. The UltraSound snares feature rust-proof uncoated wire for long life and outstanding sensitivity.
 "Pearl Drums - Pearl Free Floating Snare Drums")