I spent some time as a Yooper. Lake Superior State U. was one of the bastions of brain juju I attended. Loved my time in the UP. Remember Vernors well. cool.Why would Towers be so sweet? Is it the lack of hardware that allows them to ring out more? I wonder if it's similar to the Pioneer/JazzFest thingy. Interesting. I would love to see an A/B of those.
I like how you appear to have attended a number of "bastions of brain juice".
I was a downstate boy. I think I've only been to the UP once. It seems to me more convenient to Wisconsin or Minnesota.
I don't know why Towers would be sweet. I'm new to drums in anything but a visual sense (always vintage for me in that regard), but what I lack in experience I think I make up for in reading comprehension. I look for posts that seem credible and this one seemed very credible when I was doing my research-- Some guy looking to do basically the same thing I am, putting a set together for the studio. I liked this response:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/1512428-post8.html
That post and from there I decided that beavertail lugged models from Cleveland or Dayton would be best for my sonic and aesthetic needs (VERY 60s) so the one I bought seemed right in the sweet spot. Ploughman and Tommyj(?) have been very helpful as well along with others and I thank them all.
If anyone has any views on your question or the specific snare I bought I'd love to hear it. Too bad this thread is in "restoration" as that's not really the subject!