My New yet Old Addition

Lately, I've been captivated with the old masters and their approach and acoustical of their instruments. These snares are dating back as far as the 40s' through 50s'. So what on earth am I raving about here?

Of course I'm referring to my most latest winning bid purchased on Ebay: A 1950s' Gretsch Round Badge Vintage Jazz Snare drum. Considering what most of these are presently valued at (especially the sparkle finishes), I got it at a great price, $277. + $78. s.h. totaling $355.00 at my door! The badges alone can run from$50. to $100 bucks!! The bidding was a tough one where many were participating. It was at the very last 30 seconds, a storm of bids toppled mine, then at the last split of only 2 seconds my bid was entered, just being a dollar over the highest bidder. It was a blessing indeed to win this new yet old addition to my jazz Tama kit!

This is my first vintage purchase and am very well please with this snare. This is the exact sound I was trying to get out of my newer snares but couldn't quite get it. I had a chance to play it tonight and not only sounds superbly old schooled, but 'feels' fantastic especially on those cool, traditional press rolls!!

Just thought I share, what I believe, is a blessing! PTL!!!!


Before polishing the badge


After polishing the badge




Interior hand signature


Throw Off is a replacement but works excellent. That with a PureSound snare on the resonate head.


Added Snare adjustment devise, original part

What a Great Drum Rac.

Saved by you

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Outtasight
Colin.

Thanks Colin. That's a good perspective on these drums as in preservation. I like that. Yes, the snare is awesome sounding unlike what's out there today. I mean, I do like the newer stuff but there is something about the simplicity of design that holds it's own unique characteristic acoustics of the day...simply wonderful and I'm totally blown on this drum. I can now understand why there is a group of people who truly appreciates the vintage quality...amazing! In fact, in all the years of purchasing drums, I would have to say this one tops!

I'm not into vintage drums but very nice, Rac!
The main thing is YOU are happy with your purchase.

What I would recommend however is to take off all the
hardware and put the pieces in a bucket, pour some CLR
over them and let them sit for a couple of days and
periodically swirling them around in the bucket over the
two days or so and maybe lightly scrubbing them with an
old toothbrush as you see fit.

Then simply rinse and dry them off, they'll look practically
new and all that grunge and whatever rust that may be on
the metals will clean up really nicely....  I did this just recently
with a used 5X14 chrome Ludwig snare drum I bought back
in 70, 71.  I couldn't believe the difference.

Just my suggestion....  Congratulations and enjoy.

a bucket, pour some CLR
D
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I'm thinking that means Clorox? Yes, I've read it somewhere on a blog among a few vintage restorers. They also recommended a toothbrush as well as cotton swabs for those tiny, hard-to-get areas. People that collect items like these refer these as 'project drums' - These do take TLC and time. At this moment, it looks pretty decent and I intend to carve some time in it's appearance. But as to the sound? I'm actually using it on a jazz gig and it sounds incredible!

Thank you for your suggestion.

NOTE: Anyone has any suggestion(s) as to bringing back some of the sheen on the finish? It's dull and slightly yellowed but not that bad which is understandable. Restores claim that it can't be done but never know-someone might have overruled that conclusion. Hey, I can live with it too.

No, Rac not Clorox.  There is a product called CLR (Calcium-Lime-Rust)
that dissolves stuff like hard water build up, Calcium, lime, rust and other
gunk off of metals.



Notice he says not to leave in there overnight
because of it leaving a black residue.  I left
stuff in their for two days and the solution started
to turn black a little.  I just took the items out and
wiped them off with a towel and everything was fine.

Use your own discretion.

Thanks D for that information. It sounds like you may have had an interest in vintage drum restoration. Never the less, wonderful input here. I will try those as soon as I can carve the time for it. I may be just plain lazy LOL!!! Most people that do invest in these items are mere collectors and not players, from what I've been hearing. Small percentage are actual drummers.

They restore to later put it back up for auction that yields higher dollar value than when they first bought it. The difference between them and me, is that I play it. Just the other night a bass player found that offensive seeing me actual play this drum. He's thinking in terms of a collector and not a player. Well, I told him I play what I buy and it's my business as to what I do with what's mine. Lol!!!

Thanks for the information.
Rac

Well, like I said, Rac, I recently cleaned up a
chrome Ludwig snare drum that I bought back
in 1970 or so with this product.  It works wonders.  
I believe that thinking in terms of stopping the
process of decay be it you choose to play them
or not is prudent.

And I hear you about the collector vs. the user.
I really like cars and if I could afford it, I'd likely
have a bunch of em, and you can bet that they
wouldn't be sitting in some warehouse with rope
barriers around them collecting dust.

All the best.

thinking in terms of stopping the
process of decay
D
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Yes, consider that I would want to continue using this drum, gives it more reason why I should maintain it's condition as you suggested. Being that Hawaii has a high humidity rate which is due to the ocean being close by, restoration coupled with preventive care would be a must here. Makes me think when I had an collectors item up for bid on Ebay a few weeks ago. I could not get it's top dollar due to rust on it's exterior side - got pretty good money for it but could have been better if the item was free of rust and that's near impossible but yet possible if I had taken preventive procedure using the product you've mentioned here.

Thanks for reminding me,
Rac

Very nice, Rac... I'd like to hear a recording of it sometime.
Did you clean it up? It looks good!

As to the superior sound, sometimes within a group of diamonds
there is that one that for whatever reason seems to be more
refined and shine brighter than all the others.

IE: Bruce Lee, Michael Jackson, Usian Bolt etc. Gifts of God
that shine brighter than the norm.

Enjoy, my friend.