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1956/57 Trixon w.m.p. parallel snare drum.

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For almost 20 years Trixon made essentially only one snare drum,modified only by differences in depth and slight changes in dimensions and shell design.Why change, when you are making one of the great snare drums of all time?

This is the second snare drum I ever owned,going back over 40 years with me. It is probably the one I have played the most but as I curiously keep adding drums, it's time is more and more on the bench-------but when the playoffs loom,no doubt,it's first string status will be apparent.

Everything is original,and although I have several sets of N.O.S.wires,I am using the same 40 year old wires that came on the drum. If you look at the pictures, you will see that I have replaced a few of the wires.

Drum is 363mm(14 3/16") x 130mm(5 1/8"),original wrap, catalogued as covering TX1.

For many years,I played calf heads on this gem but recently fitted custom Remo heads. The snare side is an ambassador and the batter is the relatively new Skyntone. If you haven't tried one of these heads, you should.

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
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More pictures showing some other features. Until about 1963 Trixon fitted their snare drums with a leaf spring type adjustable muffler and a quick on type. There were 18 wires until about the same time, when 26 strands began to be used with the newer ribbed blocky type lugs.

Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 1432 Threads: 110
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A choice of two different dampers for the batter head: cooool!

A really great drum (yes - and an absolutely precious one as well).

I love that tiny detail: the WMP-inlay at the snare strainer!

Ralf

Vintage STAR (= Pre-Tama) website: www.star-drums.de
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
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Gorgeous snare, Phil !! Surprising two-mufflers system!!

George.

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37
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I was look`n at that inlay too, wondered why it`s all crooked and warpped. Calf must be beating up his snare, but then I realized that the slit for the strainer leaves very little drum to be connected. That looks like a very weak spot !!

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

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
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From Ralf

A choice of two different dampers for the batter head: cooool!A really great drum (yes - and an absolutely precious one as well).I love that tiny detail: the WMP-inlay at the snare strainer!Ralf

Does look like that due to mediocre pics but it is actually a piece of thick aluminum foil,with a piece of molded opalescent plastic fitted over it. Both have the Trixon angled script logo and the drum with two sticks logo embossed into them. These little plastic badges also appeared elsewhere:footpedals,notably and are often missing by now.

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
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From Father-42

Gorgeous snare, Phil !! Surprising two-mufflers system!!George.

I can't see that it is any better a system than the two in one mufflers used by Trowa and Deri. Those had everything all in one, with considerable precision onthe knurled knob. Perhaps for orchestral work the Trixon system might give slightly better control.

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
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From OddBall

I was look`n at that inlay too, wondered why it`s all crooked and warpped. Calf must be beating up his snare, but then I realized that the slit for the strainer leaves very little drum to be connected. That looks like a very weak spot !!

-------hasn't turned out to be. Trixon had 6 of these setups over the years.

#1- was a very nice cast throwoff,with most of the mechanism strapped to the exterior.

#2 - Then between '50 and '56 there was a symmetrical cast hanger with a nice little small version of the lugs as part of the design, down the centre. It had 2 mounting bars,spaced about a 1/2" apart.(see pics 1&2) here.

#3- This is in pics 3&4 here. The construction was a heavy stamped,chromed steel, with the name and stick motif stamped into it. This was in 1956 and Trixon entered it's playful period. The badge went from being straight and sedate to an asymetrical flying harp.The drums became more asymetrical as well, with the bass reso head logo always at an angle.This was also the time when they introduced the asymetrical Speedfire bass drum and the T- Rod handles mimicked it's shape. So, as part of this off camber style,the snare hangers became asymetrical too. These stamped metal hangers lasted only 1 year but we're replaced with one of similar shape and construction but a little more ornate.

#4- the stamped,chromed steel ones with the opalescent inserts; as are fitted on the W.M.P. Drum; from '56 until '67

#5- There was a vogue in Germany for using plastic components in drum kits, about the mid-60's. Sonor used it in hardware and lugs, Trixon tried it here and there. The Grey plastic snare hangers of 1967 didn't work and we're quickly replaced with

#6- From weak to super strong; Trixon went with chromed cast steel, again with a cast in logo on the surface. Pic 5.

From 1956 on the hangers had that asymetrical wonky look .The mounting bars are two , like before but tied with rivets and close together, which exit the shell through a narrow space. I've never seen this part broken. The weak spot is where the arm actuates the entire mechanism. There is an eyelet in it,holding a bar, which draws the snares down or pulls them up. This wears through over the years and then fractures around it. I had to rebuild, this piece on the 56/57 snare about 10 years ago.

Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 904 Threads: 127
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Some outstanding snare drums you have there Phil, many thanks for sharing them with us...as you know i love all things Trixon mate...I have been asked to exhibit 4 of my Trixon Kits at the U.K.Vintage Drum Fair this year..

Thanks again for the post and added information as always mate..

45/48 Slingerland WMP
51 Luxus WMP
56 Speedfire BDP
56 Speedfire WMP
59 Speedfire Aqua
59 Speedfire Red Sparkle
59 Deri Dixi Red Perloid
59 Luxus BDP
60 Luxus Black Silver
61 Luxus WMP
62 Telstar Blue Stripe
62 Telstar Red Croc
62 Telstar Gold Croc
62 Telstar Blue Croc
63 Luxus Gold Croc
64 Speedfire Blue Sparkle
64 Luxus Black/Gold Spots
65 Speedfire Gold Croc
66 Luxus Blue Croc
66 Vox Thunderbolt Silver Croc
67 Vox Telstar Blue Croc
67 Vox Telstar Red Sparkle
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
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From diamond

Some outstanding snare drums you have there Phil, many thanks for sharing them with us...as you know i love all things Trixon mate...I have been asked to exhibit 4 of my Trixon Kits at the U.K.Vintage Drum Fair this year..Thanks again for the post and added information as always mate..

thanks and

i'm sure you will knock 'em dead with those ; always remember to " keep the harp flying"

i'll be posting kits soon. check in next week-----got an interesting snare stand story----Trixon related.

Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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