I got mine about ten years ago, and I think I paid about $200AUD back then, but I'm not really sure what it'd be worth today. Olympic was Premier's "little brother", and were cheaper, closer to entry level drums. Still very good though. And usually the English chrome holds up really well, but these being lower level may not have seen that much attention, chrome-wise. But there are Premier guys here who know much more than me.

Is there a generic key cheap and easy enough to pick up for the slotted rods? If not, I will just use a quarter until I can make something. I do not trust myself to not slip and gouge something with a screwdriver :)

Sometimes the older Sonor keys will fit, but I'm sure someone here can help with something more authentic. Having said that, I've used a screwdriver more than once to tune my Prems. Yes, just be careful!

Years ago I contacted the guy with a Vintage Premier website called, obscurely, "Moonfruit", or something like that. Can't remember his name. Tam something? Nice bloke and he pointed me to a guy in Herefordshire, a little north of London. As I say, this was a bit over ten years ago, and I can't remember his name either! But this guy had lugs, tension rods and drum keys for Premier and Olympic, and happily sent some all to way to me in Oz. I don't know if he's still there.

Unfortunately it seems Tam's Moonfruit site (I remember now: vintprem.moonfruit.com) doesn't seem to be there anymore, although I can find lots of references to it.

Any of our UK brethren know who I'm talking about?

Oh, you might want to try Nick Hopkin Drums - www.nickhopkindrums.com - he's the UK vintage drum guy and he has shedloads of stuff. Sorry, I should've mentioned him first...

http://www.nickhopkindrums.com/accessories/drum-keys/slot-head-drum-keys.html

Thank you! Just checked out this site and found the key I need at not a bad price. I imagine shipping will be more than the key so might as well get 2 if I go this route.

Thumbs up! Well, I'm fairly certain that the postage will be a damn sight cheaper to Washington than Sydney! Glad to have been of some help.

Hey Wes!

Ryan here, you bought that Olympic hi hat stand off of me. Great to see you posted a thread about this snare.

I've seen this drum in person, he got an amazing deal/score here. It looks even better in person, should clean up very nice...the wrap has aged so nice, perfect yellowing, even all around.

My John Grey Broadway snare has the same slotted tension rods. I'm going to see if my Dad can build some custom drum keys that'll work. He owns a slick machine shop that builds crazy custom items. He's built me some very trick stuff before. If he hooks me up, I'll score you one.

Cheers.

That is a hip little drum. Nice find. Definite mojo goin' on.

Ok Guys.

Finally getting around to this snare.

The snare wires seem off to me. They are New Era so seems like the correct brand, if I'm not mistaken, but are much shorter than I would have expected. The cords holding the snares are short not allowing the throw-off to fully engage so makes me think someone may have tried a different set of wires than was original.

Unfortunately a few of the wires are stretched so it needs to be replaced.

Any Premier/Olympic guys know the correct length of snares I should be looking for? Just the normal size for a 14" snare or were the ones for these snares purposefully shorter?

Thanks,

Wes

Hey Wes!

I remember that snare. Glad to see you giving it some love. Ok, here's some information for you:

- That drum is from the last 50's. It's hard to find them (over here, anyways), especially with the badge intact. The badge is foil over cardboard, and was known to deteriorate quick easily. Check this out: http://www.vintageolympic.co.uk/badges.html

- The number "39" inside. Most likely has to do with that particular snare model's number. My 60's Olympic 1182 has an "11", or "82" in it (can't remember which one off the top of my head.

- I believe that drum is Birch shell, with Beech re-rings, same as mine.

- Magnet test the hoops and lugs, good chance they're COB.

- RE: Snare wires. Yup, you have the original, and correct wires (New Era-Made in England). I attached a picture of mine, I measured them, they're 13" across...so, my guess is yours are as well.

Here's what I suggest: 1) If you want to keep it original, clean them up, realign them, and leave. 2) If you want to play, and enjoy the drum, take off and put aside the original wires and wires cables, replace with new ones-play.

I've left my Olympic alone, all cleaned up, with all original components on. However, if I decide to play it for real (gigs, studio, etc), then I'll swap out the wires/cables for new ones.

I love the look/patina of your drum. I would recommend stripping it all down, and give just a good, but thorough cleaning, and that's it. Warm, soapy water, clean rags...that type of thing. Some white lithium grease for the lugs, and boom.

Hope this helps, beautiful drum ;)