I have one and have found the original parts to be very reliable and work well and as these are from around 1966 they are built well and should last another 50 years if you look after it.

I did totally strip it all down and re-lubricate it when I bought it though and I fitted nylon washers to the slotted tuning rods to aid with rapid tuning.

They are great drums and I think I paid $150 for mine in near mint condition, it also had some puresound replacement wires on but I also have three other royal ace drums with the original wires if I want a totally original set-up.

As for the sound it is not really a piccolo to me and I tune it med to high with a remo fybreskyn diplomat on the top and an ambassador snare on the bottom. That combo gives a very mellow jazz like tone that is great for recording. If I want more of a crack I put on an ambassador coated or a vintage A.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v62/GaryNattrass/_DSC0004_zps5a0177cf.jpg[/IMG]

I think that no need to spoil the legendary snare!

Better find yourself any another - with the ordinary strainer.

Totally agree and I think drilling a 50 year old Ace and adding new based hardware will totally change the sound.

All my Royal Ace and 2000 have a similar sound and that is due to the cast hoops and the snare mechanism.

I have three Royal Ace snares and they are all mid 60's and have lasted that long and would be still good to gig any day over any other snare.

Yeah, I hear you guys. Especially since it's not technically broken. I have a COB Hi-Fi snare that already got busted for a Ludwig strainer, so maybe I'll take that one out and keep the Ace in the studio if I buy it. Also have a wood Hi-Fi. Something about these old Premier snares with die cast hoops…they're unique yet still sound good in so many settings.

also the exact same shell in the COB Royal Ace and a COB 2000

I have read there is an adjustable strainer and butt available to retro-fit old snares - not sure if its Dunnett or Trick or someone like that would have to search it

Anyone have specifics? Got the snare yesterday for $125. Sounds amazing, but I'm pretty sure the parallel strainer is a factor in the sound. It had already been drilled for another strainer, then the Royal Ace system was re-added later. It has the bar on each end of the strainer and 2 sets of ten wires hook on to the bar. Wires are in decent shape, but I want to gig/record with this. When the snares eventually need replacing, it looks like I'm in trouble. Only place that has the proper wires is this place:

http://www.baskey.com/pants/4583001796

The shipping to the US alone is nearly $100! I'll just swap out the strainer and hope it doesn't totally kill the sound vibe before I do that.

I'd say you got a great deal. I have a 3ply Birch Royal Ace and love it. Has the original 2x10 snare wires which are showing their age (about 51 years). I plan on making a new set of snares for, as you state, buying the repros from Baskey is cost prohibitive.

As mentioned elsewhere here Nick Hopkin (UK / Vintage drum parts specialist) is making replica's as we speak.

http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=...&id=fc3d776a0c

Not sure about the costs, but his replicaparts are usually spot on.