Help with a Virgil Donati snare

[samnmax203]

Ok,
So whilst my Gretsch Vinnie snare drum is incapacitated I brought my Virgil snare out for a gig... and the snare side head broke! I put puresound snare wires on it about 3 months ago when I changed both batter and reso heads. I noticed that the plate seemed to dig more into the head than normal, and I attributed that to the symphonic snare bed that the Virgil snare has. I contacted puresound and asked them if the head might have broke because of the plate and if I needed to order a different style of snare wires (like for a free-floating system) in order to not have the head break on me again. They were mega nice, explained that it must have been a faulty set of snares, and sent a free replacement set of snares (I didn't even ask!).

All that being said, I still have worries in my head about the snare plates/symphonic snare bed combo. Has anybody had any experience on this particular combination? I usually don't worry, but I have nice snare drums busting left and right!

Below is a pic of a snare with a similar snare bed for reference

[Morgenthaler]

I know a ton of guys who have it (surprise!) and no one have had that issue that I know of.
It might be a (rare) set of bad strainers from Pure Sound. I use Pure Sound myself on all
snares but one and I am hugely satisfied with their products. It might be a rare bad head as well.
Most heads can handle small holes in 'em from sharp strainers without cracking/breaking.

If you have doubts, see your local drum doctor for a hands on look at the issue.

[samnmax203]

I know a ton of guys who have it (surprise!) and no one have had that issue that I know of.
It might be a (rare) set of bad strainers from Pure Sound. I use Pure Sound myself on all
snares but one and I am hugely satisfied with their products. It might be a rare bad head as well.
Most heads can handle small holes in 'em from sharp strainers without cracking/breaking.

If you have doubts, see your local drum doctor for a hands on look at the issue.

No need for that, I put my trust in your 'all things Donati' knowledge good sir!

I'll slap a new head and the new set of Pure Sounds on their and give it another 3-4 months of gigs. Thanks for your advice!