Hi Lynn. Couple of things.... I call your drum a Standard, but don't know where I picked up that term. Perhaps it is referred to as a "standard" model vs the "Deluxe". (Which is a BB.) I am no expert, just an enthusiast, and will defer to Curotto or Bun E. They would be a definitive source.

They are also described today as the two piece heavy brass shell. I believe the triangle shaped bearing edges soldered to the shell contribute greatly to the sound. The original single flange hoops really allow the drum to open up. The brass triple flanged hoops are much more user friendly for your sticks and give a subtle hint of control which to my ear, is just right, especially for a drum that is getting played (like yours will be). Diecast hoops would shut the drum down even more. (Just my subjective experience due to experimenting.). Try the hoops from your Jazz Fest and compare the two.

I just checked my 8 lug 5x14 to see how it is set up. I have a Remo Vintage series Amb on the batter and a hazy Amb snare side. The wires are Ludwig 12 strand wires (the same with 16 strands still buzzed). The Ludwig wires are lighter and play a bit brighter than Puresound 12 strand. If you look at the photo you can see they fit the snare beds perfectly. Plus the script "Ludwig" looks great with the drum. I think you can still order them from Ludwig. I guarantee that when you play the drum you couldn't tell it didn't have 20 strand wires.

I can't remember for sure if I have 12 or 16 strand Puresounds on the 6.5, but I am thinking 12 strand Puresounds. It is on loan for a friend to enjoy, so can't check.

I think your dating is great and far more accurate than my time frames. (Nice work.). I think of the 8 lug with pioneer t.o. as mid 20's, the 10 lug versions are later 20's and going into the 30's they switched to the time piece t.o. Like I said, there are others far more knowledgable than I. Hopefully they will chime in.

I see. It would be nice to get more insight, or even just confirmation, from one or both of those gentlemen.

I'll definitely compare the die cast and triple-flange hoops. I played my Jazz Fest last night and the batter head seems to have more life left in it than I thought...so maybe another 3-4 weeks before I can do a comparison. Also, I think I will go ahead and order a set of Ludwig 12s. You're right, the logo is nice...and I've noticed over the last couple years that less is better (to my ears, anyway) when it comes to snare strands. I used 20s and 24s for years, but had no choice but to grab 16s from the store one day...and I loved the crisper, less buzzy tone. So, I've bought 16s since. I just happened to have the spare Puresound 20s that I put on this drum.

Thank you! Like I said, I'd love to hear from them...or anyone else that has more knowledge of these drums.

Thanks again for all your tips! I'll post updates as I try the different wires and hoops.

Lynn

I wanted to post a little update, so here goes. I received the Fat Cat 16 strand "No Pitch" wires Friday and set up the drum. Initially, I had the same issue with tension - having to crank down on the tension screw with the arm in the up/lock position. However, I was able to work the arm with little effort this morning. I thought maybe the cords stretched a little, but it didn't seem buzzier. Not sure what changed, but I'm not complaining. The drum sounds very good, though I do intend to order a set of 12 strand Ludwig wires this week to make it a little extra crispy...like I like my fried chicken. :p

Lynn

How does the Vintage A compare, tone-wise, to a regular coated A? Aren't the Vintage As a fairly thick 2-ply? Does it fatten the tone up a bit?

Also, does the coating hold up better on the Vintage As? We rehearsed 4 songs twice this morning. Then midway through the worship service I noticed most of the coating at the center of the standard A was gone. I do play a bit harder at church than normal - because I'm totally enclosed and use in-ear monitors - but I'm not a heavy hitter. I'm more used to Aquarian heads, whose coating normally lasts months. Unfortunately, standard Aquarians are too snug on this drum and I didn't want to use my Aquarian American Vintage heads as I have those saved for my RKs, which even a Remo won't easily slip over.

I apologize for machine-gunning a bunch of questions at you.

Lynn

What a great looking snare Lynn!! Be it sounds great. I hope to join the club someday. I hear so much goodness about these! Enjoy my friend. Great to see you back here too. G.

Hi SlingerLynn. Sounds like the 16 strand wires cleaned up some of the buzz for you. Maybe that strainer just needs to break in a bit.

The Vintage Ambassadors have been my favorite snare batter for the past couple of years (as well as tom batters). I started using them on my Clev Rogers as they are very similar to the early 60's ambassador heads which were constructed in a similar manner. To my ear they focus the midrange tone slightly without sacrificing any sensitivity.

They are two plies, but you really wouldn't know it by the way they feel. According to Remo they are made of a 7.5 mil and a 3 mil ply. A standard Amb is one 10 mil ply. You should be able to pick one up at your local music store for not much more than a regular Amb.

I have used them for a long time on a couple of my main players without loosing any of the coating. Same with my tom heads.

Thanks, Glenn! It's good to be back among old friends...and making new ones.

Lynn

I believe you're right about the strainer needing a proper breaking in.

Thanks for the info on the Vintage As! I've been interested in trying them for a while now, but skiddish because coating issues with other Remo heads. I'm even more anxious to try them now, knowing the thickness. My favorite head was the Aquarian Double Thin (now discontinued and replaced by the Super 2), which was similar...7-mil upper and 5-mil bottom plies, reversed for the Super 2. I used the Vintage Emperors on the church's Gretsch Catalina Jazz kit and the coating lasted a few weeks on those, but they sounded quite nice.

Anyway, thanks again for everything!

Oh, by the way, I think you'll appreciate this for sure. A gentleman at church does brass nameplates for trophies and whatnot, so I asked him if he could make a plate to cover the large hole where the heater was on this drum. I told him that this drum was from the 20s and he said he wouldn't have believed it considering it's current condition. I told him that the drums I play at church are my '67 Ludwigs. He said, "Wow! They look new!" Then he proceeded to tell me that his brother bought a gold sparkle Rogers set in either 1965 or 1967 and played them for a few years. He said they're most likely still in his attic. He's going to contact his brother and let me know if he still has them, and if he'd be willing to part with them. I'd love to add a Rogers set to my arsenal! Cool1

Lynn

I ordered a set of Ludwig 12-strand wires last week - and a 14" Vintage Ambassador. I received them Friday, so I set the drum up with the new wires. Man, it sounded awesome Sunday morning! I think I'll have to try the thicker Vintage A sooner than I expected because the Ambassador has a pretty good divot in it now and a good bit of the coating is gone (I've technically played about 32 songs).

That's it for now. I'm still looking for the correct bottom hoop, 8 tension rods and clips, and a 338 - or 338 guts. I'll update when I at least get original hoops back on it. Thanks for all the advice and kind words.

Lynn

I knew you would get it dialed in and experience just how special they are. Did you try out the triple flange NOB hoops yet?