Sonor D471 Strainer Options

[Fingers]

I posted this in the Rehab sub and it was suggested that I try here so... I have a Sonor D471 snare drum, the strainer - or rather, the plastic collar/housing around the throw mechanism is cracked and won't allow enough tension to pull the snares tight. Could anyone suggest where I could find replacement parts or a full replacement? Can these strainers be replaced with aftermarket strainers and if so, what? I have the full set of teardrops this snare accompanies and would love to reunite it!

 

[Osahead2]

I have a full set of Apr 1969 Teardrops... I love them!

Okay here's a excellent full replacement suggestion, I recommend for any Sonor owner. No extra holes were drilled & easy to change back if necessary.

Fyi: Not one single problem once I converted over to the simple "beer tab" strainer. Trust me it's well worth a shot.

 

[drummerjohn333]

But is that beer tab strainer adjustable???

 

[Osahead2]

But is that beer tab strainer adjustable???

Adjustable no.

I had it set exactly to my liking..."on & off" that's it.

You see, I'm a Camco guy at heart so, if it was good enough for them then its good enough for me. Works like a charm.

 

[Fingers]

I have a full set of Apr 1969 Teardrops... I love them!

Okay here's a excellent full replacement suggestion, I recommend for any Sonor owner. No extra holes were drilled & easy to change back if necessary.

Fyi: Not one single problem once I converted over to the simple "beer tab" strainer. Trust me it's well worth a shot.

20180201_195626.jpg

20180201_195705.jpg

Wow, thanks! That's a handsome alternative and the concept is familiar to the original strainer.
As DrummerJohn noted though, fine-tuning the snare would take quite a bite of trial and error, no? That'd be a problem for me, I like to fiddle with snare tension...
Thanks for the idea!

 

[Osahead2]

I have a full set of Apr 1969 Teardrops... I love them!

Okay here's a excellent full replacement suggestion, I recommend for any Sonor owner. No extra holes were drilled & easy to change back if necessary.

Fyi: Not one single problem once I converted over to the simple "beer tab" strainer. Trust me it's well worth a shot.

20180201_195626.jpg

20180201_195705.jpg

Wow, thanks! That's a handsome alternative and the concept is familiar to the original strainer.
As DrummerJohn noted though, fine-tuning the snare would take quite a bite of trial and error, no? That'd be a problem for me, I like to fiddle with snare tension...
Thanks for the idea!

I use the original butt plate knob to fiddle around with fine tuning... otherwise leave it alone. Too easy.

 

[hefty]

Is there tension adjustment on the original butt of that snare? If not the butt of the George Way beer tap does. I have this combo on a George Way snare and it works great:

https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/listing/gibraltar-sc-gw845dunnett-george-way-845-snare-drum-throw-off-w%2F-butt-plate/1290815?_aid=pla&hfid=1290815&gclid=CjwKCAiAtdDTBRArEiwAPT4y-zWy70w1WeL-ZTPRrx6UZOaydO_qb6QKRuDermfg6kNw-B30vZTORBoCxucQAvD_BwE

I don't know about hole spacing for any of this though and if drilling or adapter plate would be needed.

 

[Osahead2]

The original Sonor butt plate knob is adjustable as well....

 

[Fingers]

Hey, thanks for the suggestions, y'all! The George Way beer tap strainer works and looks great. This snare sounds just as good as the rest of the set- easy to tune and just easy to listen to. Now onto heads and snares...

 

[D. B. Cooper]

What a great throw, that George Way.
I've never owned of even used one. But it seems like such a today solution to so many strainer problems. Why not just have the tension adjustment on the butt end? Simplifies the whole mechanism and looks so sexy.
I'm going to build a snare in the next year or so. Does anyone know if they come in a brass finish?

 

[drummerjohn333]

It begs the question
Does anyone know some great examples or sources for adjustable butts?

It also is possible for us to discover a use for that strainer with the broken or missing arm.

Sometimes you can build your own with various strainer parts we may have laying around in our parts bins.

 

[Frank Godiva]

Osahead2

You got 2 Rosewood D471s?

That is the rarest one and the first drum to have an interior veneer from Sonor, very nice

 

[rondrums51]

I guess I got lucky. I had three old Sonor snares over the years with that strainer, and it worked like a charm. One of the snares had lost the cover plate, but it still worked great.

 

[Markkuliini]

What a great throw, that George Way.
I've never owned of even used one. But it seems like such a today solution to so many strainer problems. Why not just have the tension adjustment on the butt end? ...

Because lots of players (like me) prefer the lever and tension adjustment being on the same side. I keep them on the 9 a clock position, so I can adjust both while playing with my right hand. On lot of of my gigs I fine tune the tension for pretty much every song, since I might want it from tight to rattling loose, depending on the tempo and the song's mood, and it has to be done while to song has started, since it's impossible to do without hearing the snare with the music. I also play some songs without the snares on, so it's quite important for me to have both on the same side.

 

[cwdrums]

Osa, I scored an old 60's Sonor snare (blue satin flame) years ago at a yard sale for $5. But was/is missing the aforementioned strainer and butt plate. Those never show up on ebay. I even called the US Sonor HQ and inquired about the D471 strainer, no luck. Anyone have an original for sale? Would the George Way butt require drilling extra holes? Thanks guys.
Coy in Idaho

l

 

[cwdrums]

It begs the question
Does anyone know some great examples or sources for adjustable butts?

It also is possible for us to discover a use for that strainer with the broken or missing arm.

Sometimes you can build your own with various strainer parts we may have laying around in our parts bins.

DJ333, FWIW my three old MIJ Majestic snares have adjustable butts, original factory parts. We said adjustable butts

 

[Osahead2]

Osa, I scored an old 60's Sonor snare (blue satin flame) years ago at a yard sale for $5. But was/is missing the aforementioned strainer and butt plate. Those never show up on ebay. I even called the US Sonor HQ and inquired about the D471 strainer, no luck. Anyone have an original for sale? Would the George Way butt require drilling extra holes? Thanks guys.
Coy in Idaho

l

Coy, I had the same exact problem until, I installed the replica George Way "Beer tab" strainer. It required no extra holes but, I did put a small chrome riser plate between the shell and strainer to get the strainer out away from the rim which still keeps my snare drum all original and playable... and for me that works out super great.

For less then $60 bucks and no extra drilling, I recommend this quick fix to all Sonor owners.

 

[cwdrums]

Osa, I scored an old 60's Sonor snare (blue satin flame) years ago at a yard sale for $5. But was/is missing the aforementioned strainer and butt plate. Those never show up on ebay. I even called the US Sonor HQ and inquired about the D471 strainer, no luck. Anyone have an original for sale? Would the George Way butt require drilling extra holes? Thanks guys.
Coy in Idaho

l

Coy, I had the same exact problem until, I installed the replica George Way "Beer tab" strainer. It required no extra holes but, I did put a small chrome riser plate between the shell and strainer to get the strainer out away from the rim which still keeps my snare drum all original and playable... and for me that works out super great.

For less then $60 bucks and no extra drilling, I recommend this quick fix to all Sonor owners.

Thx, much appreciated.
Coy

 

[rondrums51]

There's a German company that's making repro round cover plates for those old Sonor strainers. Can't remember who. I looked at their web site last year. You'll have to do some Googling.

The cover plates were held in place with one or two tiny set screws. They would work loose and the cover plate would get lost.

It never happened to me with my old Sonors, but I would take a tiny screwdriver and tighten up the set screws every couple of months.

 

[psalty]

There's a German company that's making repro round cover plates for those old Sonor strainers. Can't remember who. I looked at their web site last year. You'll have to do some Googling.

I know a guy machined a set of reproductions from billet, but those all sold out rather quickly.