What's so special or rare about a Downbeat? I've had several.There's one on San Antonio cl in a wmp finish, but it's missing the 14x14 floor, it does however have a Pioneer snare. Here's one I use to own sitting next to my Trixon kit. Now there's something you don't see everyday.Cool1
Rare in oyster black for sure and very expensive. Special part is, at a minumum, the sound. One of the most recorded sets in history. It set a benchmark for the sound that an entire world embraced for several years.
I think both the 14x14 and bass drum were very distinquishable when Ringo appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. Probably no muffling and just a really nice wide open sound. Similarly, when John Densmore was hitting a Downbeat set for the Doors (though I've read that Light My Fire was recorded on a Gretsch kit).
I'd very much like to have a Downbeat, but I haven't found one recently at a price and finish that has caused me to hit the buy button.