bunny - why not buy one of the fleabay shells? I bought a 6.5" x 14" Bronze shell that has become one of my go-to snares. Vintage 3-line Slingy. Add modern Beavertails, 3-point strainer, sticksaver hoops and you've got a solid pro level drum for less than half price of a factory made one. The fleabay shells are NOS and pre-drilled in most cases. Why take a chance on screwing up an expensive metal shell drilling lots of accurately placed holes. Get one pre-drilled.

John

The drums y'all (sounds strange coming from my mouth) built are actually what has made me want to do it!!!

The link I saw had undrilled shells. I bought an '80s NOS Gretsch wood shell from that seller, and it turned out to be a fine drum!!! It was pre-drilled on the inside of the shell. I did drill for extra lugs, and they weren't all perfectly straight. But the drum still tunes okay and sounds killer.

I will go with your suggestion.

Good choice!!! I had had this same drum on my ebay watch list for a few weeks when Purdie bought one and got very excited about it. He pushed me over the edge and I bought one. Glad I did too especially at that exact time. Mine ended up being one of the last the guy had in this depth (unless he has found and listed more???) and actually ended up being 10-lug (didn't see any other 10 luggers) which I love simply because it's different. Shell was darkened to almost green which is sweet to. I've ordered a bunch of clips and plan to give it a try with single flange hoops asap. I simply love this drum and am very glad John bough one and started posting about it to get me moving....! The only thing these needed were throw and butt holes ( :eek: ) and a vent if you want. Left mine without so far.

[IMG]http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii289/thebeebe5/NOS%20Slingerland%20Bronze/IMG_5060.jpg[/IMG]

Keep us posted....!!

Damn, Jim, every time I see that drum I drool.

Speaking of drool...

Q. - "How do you tell if the stage the band is playing on is level?"

A. - "If the drool is coming out of -both- sides of the drummers mouth... the stage is dead-level!"

John - Hee-Haw!

All he has left are 5x14" undrilled copper shells. I don't know if beds are crimped in or not. Price is right @ $52 + $19 shipping. But it's worthless if I can't make it into a real drum...

Of course Trick (definitely NOT vintage, but U.S. made and very unique) has a few one-offs for $199 right now (and their snare drums cost $$$). Yes, I see Trick drums as the collectible modern drums of tomorrow. But then I don't have the satisfaction of building something.

He does have a brass Gretsch that's drilled, but it's drilled for Gretsch lugs, which are totally different than anything else. I could do Trick lugs, but then that would cost me about $80 in lugs. I could buy Gretsch lugs from this cat, but he wants $25 for three.

I may end up buying a Trick snare.

Here's my Slingerland snare project and what I have in her.

1. Shell $123

2. Rods $16

3. Lugs $32

4. Back Plates @ Screws $32

5. Rapid Strainer and Butt $45

6. COB Single-Flange Hoops $50

7. Heads $28

8. Puresound Wires $28

9. Clips $40

Total $394

Where did you find tube lugs to fit, or did you have to elongate the holes a bit?

Thanks

Kev

We all thank the Purdie Shuffler for his heads up regarding the 6 1/2 x 14 NOS Slingerlands on the Ebay. I got the 6 1/2 and the Gretsch 5 by 14.

The Sling is the thing. The Gretsch is good but a smaller, higher pitched sound.

And has a nice crack.

The bronze/copper is the best one so far. Deep tone and crack all in one.

Mine was pre-drilled for 8 lugs and some strainer mount holes. Also had snare beds crimped.

I just recently swapped the Gretsch for the Sling on my work kit.

We will keep an eye out (for shells) for you Mr. Bunny

My bronze looks alot like "the other mans" drum.