Will a Sonor slotted key work on Premier Slotted lugs?

[K.O.]

Title says it all. I'm looking at some Premier drums and I don't have a Premier key. Looking online it appears that Sonor slotted keys are semi-reasonable to acquire vs. expensive vintage Premier keys....but will a Sonor work? I'm thinking yes it will, but thought I'd check for sure. Anyone have a spare of either they'd want to sell? Anyone know of a generic equivalent ? I have an older multi tool (bought from Cherie Willoughby) that does have a slotted key on it so I'm not dead in the water if I buy the drums (and, of course, a flat screwdriver will work in a pinch) but would like an actual key for use at gigs.

Back in the day we used Premier marching drums in the High School band. Lots of those keys floating around, should have snagged one of them funny furrin' keys then... but who knew?

 

[JDA]

(I'd say no) (the early Premier keys too small maybe the later keys) (Sonor key innards are larger) Just a guess

 

[JDA]

Anyone know of a generic equivalent ?

there's that completely flat key which when used on Premier was more trouble than worth; I never warmed up to it (have one somewhere.
The original Premier keys didn't last (the innards busted) I have three - empty inside

This is the Flat

Premier Vintage slotted Drum Key | Reverb

Vintage Premier slotted drum key. Not sure of exact age, but my best guess is 1940's-50's era. Great period correct item for your vintage Premier kit. Pictures tell the story. Will ship priority mail. Please contact me with any questions.

reverb.com

all the rest "covered" are ready to break inside unless it's a mirical- miracle

premier drum key slotted - Google Search

I mean you might get 7-10 years out of it

Premier Slotted Head Drum Tuning Key - LIKE NEW / 1960s -70s | Reverb

*FREE tech support when you buy this item: Get a 10 minute phone consult with Ned Ingberman, our senior technician and founder. Just send a message to set it up.Finish off your 1960s-70s Premier drum set with this slotted head vintage Premier drum tuning key. Excellent condition.WE SHIP INT...

reverb.com

that's all I got out of them

 

[flatwins]

I have both Sonor and Premier kits. The blade of the Sonor key is a bit thicker than the Premier version and sorta works but not all that great. I located a reproduction Premier slotted key but often times I’ll just just a quarter ($.25 for our worldwide friends).

 

[JDA]

I'd just pick and when time is right strike one of these and hope you get years of service from it or have Snap-On make a tool (or they may have one,,,0

Premier Slotted Head Drum Tuning Key - LIKE NEW / 1960s -70s | Reverb

*FREE tech support when you buy this item: Get a 10 minute phone consult with Ned Ingberman, our senior technician and founder. Just send a message to set it up.Finish off your 1960s-70s Premier drum set with this slotted head vintage Premier drum tuning key. Excellent condition.WE SHIP INT...

reverb.com

 

[cplueard]

Title says it all. I'm looking at some Premier drums and I don't have a Premier key. Looking online it appears that Sonor slotted keys are semi-reasonable to acquire vs. expensive vintage Premier keys....but will a Sonor work? I'm thinking yes it will, but thought I'd check for sure. Anyone have a spare of either they'd want to sell? Anyone know of a generic equivalent ? I have an older multi tool (bought from Cherie Willoughby) that does have a slotted key on it so I'm not dead in the water if I buy the drums (and, of course, a flat screwdriver will work in a pinch) but would like an actual key for use at gigs.

Back in the day we used Premier marching drums in the High School band. Lots of those keys floating around, should have snagged one of them funny furrin' keys then... but who knew?

I had the L shaped Sonor key and it worked on my vintage premier stuff.

 

[mkelley]

I had the same issue a few weeks ago. The early 90's Sonor key works.

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

I've done whole kit heads change/tuning with a flat-blade screw driver and a quarter. Not fun...
Do yourself a favor and get the adequate tool. Or else you might become lazy about tuning and start to be more and more to tolerant of wonky tones, maybe even lose interest in what are( when properly tuned) perfectly good tubs.

 

[Frank Godiva]

As stated above, this key is readily available and will fit your Prem while also giving you a regular key on the other end.

 

[K.O.]

Thanks everyone. I knew you guys would know.

 

[EvEnStEvEn]

As stated above, this key is readily available and will fit your Prem while also giving you a regular key on the other end.

View attachment 566891

Where do you get this one?

 

[JDA]

England

sonor drum key - Google Search

GL

 

[Frank Godiva]

Where do you get this one?

Sonor DKH Drum Key Holder with Tuning Key and Multi Key | eBay

Sonor DKH Drum Key Holder with Tuning Key and Multi Key.

www.ebay.com

 

[David Hunter]

Looking online it appears that Sonor slotted keys are semi-reasonable to acquire vs. expensive vintage Premier keys....but will a Sonor work? I'm thinking yes it will, but thought I'd check for sure. Anyone have a spare of either they'd want to sell?

Hey Kevin, I've got about a half-dozen of the L-shaped Sonor keys. PM me your mailing address and I'll send you one for free.

 

[Maninblack]

I have a late 70s kit that had slotted Premier style tuning rods. As it's a gigging kit I swapped them out for modern ones.

 

[K.O.]

Hey Kevin, I've got about a half-dozen of the L-shaped Sonor keys. PM me your mailing address and I'll send you one for free.

I just now saw this. I'll shoot you a pm soon. Thanks!