The Snare drum Holy Grail

[patrickwitherow]

I have all of mine..
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Great snares! Wow. Does your Oyster Black Pearl have a date stamp? I've got the exact same snare (WFL Drums SuperClassic) but in Oyster Blue Pearl. I've only seen 2 other Oyster Blue Pearl drums with a WFL Drums badge - a 13x9 and 22x14 with with the exact same date stamp as my snare.

 

[katulu]

"Holy Grail" gives the impression of a life-long search for something that will fulfill the utmost want as a drummer. I don't think I have that. I can just give an example of a fulfilling story: I wanted a Tama snare, asked about options on this very forum, and listened to samples on YT. While I was on travel, turns out I was staying about 2 miles from a drum shop that had the Fat Spruce SLP snare. Went there, tried everything, and bought the Fat Spruce (which sounded EXACTLY like I had heard on YT) with $50 off internet price, and I've been super happy with it since then!

 

[markrocks68]

Great snares! Wow. Does your Oyster Black Pearl have a date stamp? I've got the exact same snare (WFL Drums SuperClassic) but in Oyster Blue Pearl. I've only seen 2 other Oyster Blue Pearl drums with a WFL Drums badge - a 13x9 and 22x14 with with the exact same date stamp as my snare.

YES
1956
The oldest known & first example of this wrap with a full kit.
link here:
1956 WFL model No. 980P Buddy Rich Super Classic set in original Oyster Black Pear

 

[patrickwitherow]

YES
1956
The oldest known & first example of this wrap with a full kit.
link here:
1956 WFL model No. 980P Buddy Rich Super Classic set in original Oyster Black Pear

Thank you! Mine is SEP 2 1958
The other 2 drums I saw had the exact same date. I'm wondering if the Oysters just weren't as popular during this timeframe.

 

[KingLudwig]

Carl Palmers Paiste 2002 bronze! I think there's only 3 made. That would be my grail. (Pictures courtesy of JP's up close and personal series)
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I have 1 so there was more than 3 made. There was 3 PAISTE drumkits built. CP's, DC's & the 1 @Paiste.

 

[blueingreen]

Listen to this! Holy moly holy grail snare at 36:34 in this vid. This is a 20s Ludwig 2 piece brass shell...same shell as the Ludwig Black Beauty of the era...no other snares sound like this!

 

[markrocks68]

Thank you! Mine is SEP 2 1958
The other 2 drums I saw had the exact same date. I'm wondering if the Oysters just weren't as popular during this timeframe.

50'S WFL drums in any oyster are pretty rare.
Here's another BO gem I own from a little later.
1959 Ludwig Transition Badge Super Classic No. 980P Outfit

 

[patrickwitherow]

A few of my Holy Grail snares...

1923 Ludwig 5x14 NOB 2-piece w/ 8 lugs

Brady Jarrah Block 6.5x14

Late 40's WFL Supreme Concert 6-lugs 6.5x14

Brady 7x12 York Gum Block

WFL 5.5x14 Super Classic in Oyster Blue Pearl

 

[patrickwitherow]

50'S WFL drums in any oyster are pretty rare.
Here's another BO gem I own from a little later.
1959 Ludwig Transition Badge Super Classic No. 980P Outfit

Nice - I've got an Oyster Blue Pearl kit that matches my snare - however the kit is not WFL - early/mid 60's but immaculate. Someone took really good care of them.
22x12
13x9
16x16

 

[jptrickster]

I have 1 so there was more than 3 made. There was 3 PAISTE drumkits built. CP's, DC's & the 1 @Paiste.

Yup since my original post I’ve become aware that a bunch more were made , maybe a dozen or so out there.
Please post a picture or 5 or 6!

 

[Azoth]

I'm going to be that guy and say, the most valuable snare is the one you're sitting behind. ; )

 

[KingLudwig]

Yup since my original post I’ve become aware that a bunch more were made , maybe a dozen or so out there.
Please post a picture or 5 or 6!

I have all the variations of the PAISTE snare drums built by Jeff including aciuple of prototypes. I was built for DC. Carl's is actually a 4.5×14. Which I have 1 of as well.

 

[KingLudwig]

I have all the variations of the PAISTE snare drums built by Jeff including aciuple of prototypes. I was built for DC. Carl's is actually a 4.5×14. Which I have 1 of as well.

I tried to purchase Carl's Paiste kit but I found out too late that it was for sale.

 

[donbseattle]

It was said earlier that there are various to look at this. What is the most collectible snare you would like to own. Celebrity? or just legendary high quality drum?
Another thing is most drummers own more than one snare, even if they are not "studio guys" who record ALOT. Symphonic guys own tons of snares because they have very different sounds in mind for very different pieces.
Another thing is just what is your favorite snare drum?

For me, it is the "off the vintage rack" 1966 Supraphonic that I acquired on Reverb not too long ago. The alloy one! I get a great Mitch Mitchell type vibe from it when I play it and that inspires me.

All of this said, I think stick chopper rims "clipped onto drums" make snare drums sound the bests. There is a Buddy video in which he is playing an old Slingerland with stick choppers. "misaligned" lugs. I believe it is "chrome over wood". I also believe that jptrickster owns one! After watching Buddy playing thrilling snare drum stuff on MANY videos, my favorite Buddy snare sound is what he got on the snare drum I am describing.

If someone said, "get yourself a made to order snare drum, I will pay for it", I would get a wood shelled 5.5 x 14, maple or ash, with stick choppers.

 

[donbseattle]

Found it! Buddy on stick chopper rims Slingerland with the "funny lugs"

 

[fusseltier]

I've had a lot of snares in the past 45 years, Ludwig, sonor, pearl and a couple of Tama.
I have a tama star walnut 14x6.5 snare from Japan which is one of the best I've had since my 70s Ludwig snare.

 

[jmpd_utoronto]

A holy grail snare for me would be a Hinger snare drum, Space Tone or the pipe drum. A teacher of mine had one of the former and it was an amazing sounding drum.