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Need info on this George Way snare please Last viewed: 1 hour ago

Posts: 6524 Threads: 37
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From Purdie Shuffle

George Way drums remain a relative unknown to most modern drummers unless they are into vintage drums. I think Way drums are among the finest musical instruments ever made in this country. They 'should' command a much higher price than they do. Just on rarity alone.John

I agree again John, this aint no LA Camco It lived before those, people go nuts over the LA.

I would never want a 5, too short a snare response, the 6 1/4 0r 1/2 have a bit louder and longer snare for hard hitters like me.

I take that one in a heartbeat.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 9 years ago
#11
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37
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From johnspeck

I forwarded the info I've gleaned here, and his response regarding reinstalling the old lugs is:"I would just sell them with the drum. I have them but need to find them.They are literally non functional. I think 2 are busted badly, 3 are cracked and 3 are starting to crack. The new DW set was 200. I'd still like to find a good strainer for it."

Well good, that`s what we do here. If the old lugs were really shot, then the DW is the best play.

Don`t dare drill it for another strainer, the one on it is period correct and no drilling needed.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 9 years ago
#12
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Thanks for all the replies.

I sent him a link to this thread, and he sent me this pic.

"Don't know year or any info, just know it's old"

Guess I'll have to start another thread for this one, but he would sell this combo as well.

Posted on 9 years ago
#13
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37
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Is that a mid 60`s Powertone with matching throne ?

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 9 years ago
#14
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Your guess is much more well-informed than mine.

Posted on 9 years ago
#15
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Just sent you a message regarding the Rogers drum and throne. Very interested. Thanks!

Posted on 9 years ago
#16
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37
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From johnspeck

Your guess is much more well-informed than mine.

That went out to the readers.

Your friend is sporting top crop vintage gear.

$10,000,000 question,....What`s inside the throne ?

I`m saying mid 60`s cuz the wrap.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 9 years ago
#17
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The Way drum is a 5.5 inch shell. BDP is one of the more common of Way wraps (although all of the drums are fairly scarce). If you were going to find an Aristocrat, it would not be a surprise to find one in this size and wrap.

Stamps from George Hamilton's shop are very cool. It is surprising that the drum does not have a rectangular aluminum George Hamilton label underneath the badge (most drums from his shop do). These sometimes fall off, but there is often a ghost of the badge left (I can't tell from the photo if this is the case or not).

Way drums did not come standard with tone controls, but they sometimes have them installed. Way offered one model in his catalogs (W&A I think), but a lot of different brands were used. Hamilton could have put it in at the customer's request at some point, or it could have been installed at the factory.

The one that sold on Ebay within the last month had some condition issues, but it was a 6.5 inch drum - much rarer. It would have gone for a lot less than $350 or so if it was a 5.5 inch drum.

As far as value, in that condition with replaced parts probably between $350 and $450. I've never seen one with the Wayco strainer installed. Those strainers were used on Way Tuxedo line drums (which are rare), and on some parade snares. If George Hamilton confirmed that they would replace Aristocrat strainers with Wayco models, that's new to me. I would have guessed that someone found a parade snare, and thought the Wayco was the best option available next to having the correct Aristocrat (4th version, as that was the one with the vertical hole spacing that matches the Wayco).

If someone could find enough original Way lugs and the correct strainer, then the drum might be $500-$600 on Ebay, but you might have more money invested in it by that point.

By the way, those Wayco strainers are pretty nice, and not common. I'd be tempted to leave that one on the drum as it is part of the unique history, especially given the contemporary 1961 repair stamp inside.

Posted on 9 years ago
#18
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37
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I told him to leave it, it`s period correct. He didn`t say what`s wrong with the casings. Just they wont work broken.

The unmolested BDP shell with the TB hoops is the battle to complete this drum.

The 61/2 may be more rare but the 51/2 is the Jazz/blues drum and more sought after.

I would put it`s value under a thousand only because of lugs and throw. But with that throw and correct lugs, it`s only steps away from being a near mint Geo Aristocrat from Georges factory. Three years ago an kit (4Pack) with some holes, same wrap, sold for two and a half grand,...minus the snare. Add the snare add a thousand.

That snare is badass, clean, old school and in demand.

Appraisal wars are more fun than bidding one`s.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 9 years ago
#19
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Ultimately something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. It's okay to put a high value on a drum and wait for a purchaser. I still contend an Ebay value for this drum is between $350 and $450 in its current state (and I might be a little high on this). It would be great if the prices for Way drums would reflect their quality and rarity, and perhaps we are getting closer to that point. Saying this, the majority of Way drums that I seen sold, and that I have purchased myself, have been in the $250 - $400 level (with several being in all-original condition with the proper parts). Some rare Way models in great shape bring more, but this particular drum isn't one of them, being a common size in a common wrap. Not that it isn't a great drum! Mid hundreds is a realistic price point of what people will actually pay for the drum on Ebay, meaning what buyers will pay for items, rather than what some retailers will ask for them. My purpose in chiming in isn't to be "right" or argumentative; if someone is really wanting to sell an item they should know what they can expect, and not be disappointed thinking their drum can command an unrealistic price. If you can get someone to purchase that drum in that condition for $1000, go for it! I don't, however, see that kind of value here.

Posted on 9 years ago
#20
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