Well....I'm sure there will be others here that will say different, but in my experience, the current Supra SOUNDS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE VINTAGE ONES DO. They make them the same way, out of the same materials, but with a better build quality. The flaking/pitting chrome issue is now a thing of the past.

If you compare a 60's, a 70's, an 80's, and a current one side by side, all tuned the same way, with the same type of snare wires, with the same type of heads and all the same size, you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference in sound. Some have argued this before that I will be wrong and that the older ones sound better because the metal has aged or whatever other rediculous reason, but I say again. They sound the same. They look nearly identical too, so if it's a good deal, I say go for it!

BTW, some will argue that they can hear a difference between the different era Acrolite snare too.......I challenge that theory as well. The finish may have changed on htose over the years, but they still sound the same side by side.

Also, I challenge anyone out there to be able to tell the difference in sound between an Arolite and a Supra in a BLIND sound test. Again, set up identically, same heads, snare wires, tuning, depth of the shell, etc., played side by side.......you tell me if you can hear a difference. Remember this is a blind test, you can't see which one is being played. You won't be able to tell. And anyone who says they can is just plain full of it! Eye Ball

Again, I say if it's a good deal, go for it! Clapping Happy2

:2Cents:

Thanks for the response Ludwig-Dude. Definite food for thought. Everyone I talk to tells me you cannot hear the difference between the old and new, maybe the vintage just has that 'mojo' that we all know and love.(Does that make any sense?)

I've always wanted a Supra to add to the collection, this may well be it...as ever.. if I can get the right price.

I'm hoping to go have a look/play this weekend.

Again thanks for the response.

Myself and kevins did a side by side comparison of a modern 402 like yours and a 402 brass edition the brass snare has brass rims the ludalloy has steel rims the only sound difference was when I was doing rim shots other wise you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference and these are two different shell materials, brass and ludalloy, we are going to test a 70's 402 that I have against the moder 402 kevins has next, but with this said there is a huge sound difference in the crimped shell ludwig snare drum as opposed to the ludalloy modern shells.

There's some that say the alloy of Ludalloy changed at some point, and there's a drastic sound difference...:rolleyes:

I just played on a Supraphonic that I thought was brass, but it was too light to be brass. Couldn't tell what was going on for a while. Turns out, it had brass rims. Do the rims make all the difference, then?

See...I warned you that other comments like this would come up Bonzo....:pLoLoLoLo

Sooooo....you mean to say that there's NO discernible difference between a brass and an aluminum(ish) shell? Personally, I find that bogus, but I haven't compared supras side-by-side, so I'm not arguing your POV on that particular model. But, I have played on MANY other snares, though, enough to know that shell material does make a difference in sound...

Modern and vintage Supraphonics may look and sound similar/the same/identical but the vintage ones have that old, coolness factor going for them and therefore are usually more desirable and have better resale value. Something to keep in mind.

Good info on this thread ... I'm also in the market for a Supra/Acro.

Didn't you read the thread about this started by Kevins and Vintage? They did a SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON TEST. THEY SOUNDED IDENTICAL. DOH

No...just saw the 4th post in this thread that briefly mentioned it. I'd like to see that thread, though--do they have a video in that thread to prove it? Not that I wouldn't take their word for it, but the skeptic in me wants to see it for myself. Not badly enough to drop the coin for a COB supra myself, however...

Oh, and please don't "DOH" me. That's kinda rude.