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Sonor D500

Posts: 1345 Threads: 175

Hi all. I've a few questions on a Sonor Ferro Manganese snare drum that I just purchased from eBay. First off, I think I got it at a good price. It's a 10 lug model and it seems to be in fair condish minus the internal muffler and snare wires. I think it's missing the sticker badge on the shell, but the sticker is on the throw off which is the one with the long lever almost like the Slingerland Zoomatic strainer. I'm sure there's a name for it, but I'm not too knowledgeable about Sonor. I was glad I kept my slotted Sonor drum key though. I knew it'd come in handy one of these days.

Can anyone here tell me any more about this snare? I'd be interested to know what a snare like this would typically sell for being the 10 lug Phonic snare. Any info would be helpful. Can I get replacement badge for this drum? It's just a sticker, surely someone had the bright idea to make replacement stickers for these drums? And what about the internal muffler? Are the all the same? and lastly the snare wires, well, we can skip that part. I'll just put some puresound wires on there unless of course it needs special wires?

Thanks for reading. Any info on these drums would be grrrreat.

Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

It`s the D454`s cousin, exact same snare 14x5 with ten instead of eight lugs. All Phonic dampers are the same barrel nut kind on beaded ferro snares. (pretty sure on that)

The foil badge is gonna be hard to find. There were options for the throw.

Can you post some pics?

sonormuseum.com has a forum and catalogs.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 1345 Threads: 175

From OddBall

It`s the D454`s cousin, exact same snare 14x5 with ten instead of eight lugs. All Phonic dampers are the same barrel nut kind on beaded ferro snares. (pretty sure on that) The foil badge is gonna be hard to find. There were options for the throw. Can you post some pics? sonormuseum.com has a forum and catalogs.

Thanks Oddball. I'll post some pics when it arrives. What do they usually sell for? Any idea of price?

Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 353 Threads: 42

Without seeing it I would guess in the $200.00 range if all original (- wires/heads).

These are very versatile drums. I gigged mine(mine is the d555 different strainer) for a long time and it never failed to perform.

As far as wires i'm very pleased with the fat cat 24 adjustable wires. I've tried all kinds and these just did if for me. Also a coated Terry Bozzio Attack head(single ply) was a great head on mine with standard remo hazy amb. on bottom.

Good luck and nice find, Gary.

Sonor teardrops:
12,13,16,20, 14x5 snare
Fibes crystallite-14x5.5 snare
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 1345 Threads: 175

From gSonor

Without seeing it I would guess in the $200.00 range if all original (- wires/heads). These are very versatile drums. I gigged mine(mine is the d555 different strainer) for a long time and it never failed to perform. As far as wires i'm very pleased with the fat cat 24 adjustable wires. I've tried all kinds and these just did if for me. Also a coated Terry Bozzio Attack head(single ply) was a great head on mine with standard remo hazy amb. on bottom. Good luck and nice find, Gary.

Thanks Gary. Good tips. I'll take you advise on wires and heads into consideration. You're saying only $200 fully original? I see the 8 lug version sell for more than that. Why is the 10 lug model not as valuable? $200 seems kinda cheap for a classic like this.

Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

The D-500 was cataloged and sent out with the Rosewood Bop kits,, 18, 14, 12,.,..but you could order it with anything. So I`m guessing it was one of the least mass produced. It`s not rare but is one of the best jazz metal snares SONOR made. The Ferromanganese were stopped in the early 80` because the auto dealer SONOR got them from stopped using it. They got a good deal on the stock.

Start the bidding at $400 for minty, and 250 for missing parts well condition, and you watch the bids. The best thing is to check final sales on E-Bay to give you an idea. Like I said, SONOR geeks are buying up the ferro snares and Phonic/Champion era drums for that vintage sound you wont get out of modern SONOR.

The muffler, well I put a Supra, Pearl and Phonic muffler side by side and the only difference is the knob at the end. Leads me to believe it`s mechanism part was subbed out. That`s why the knob part of it is essential to get.. The rest is all over the place. I never checked the threads.

The SONOR 22 strand Phonic/Champion wires, could very well be worth more than the drum. You wont find those. Thank god mine are still in excellent condition, and that may be why. (they don`t seem to stretch.) I got lucky finding one set for my 454. It cost me $250 to have a shop remove them from cheap budget /plastic lug snare and sell them to me. People like me will do that to have originality intact.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

Oh, SONOR stamped the flat spring or had it stamped on the muffler. Some had a sticker.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

Let`s see it. It`s easy to mistake for the 14x5 3/4 D-505.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 353 Threads: 42

Maybe in Europe they go a little higher but the market is really down here unless it's museum quality.

Having said that the 5" snare is much less desirable that the other sizes for some reason. Mine really is a great sounding drum but I really like the 6.5"(d506) much better.

Also earlier 70's 5" snares as you're describing don't bring as much for some reason I don't know, they don't really start to be collectible until the centennial badge through the designer ferro which brings considerably more money.

No doubt you will enjoy the sound of the 10 lugger.

Gary

Sonor teardrops:
12,13,16,20, 14x5 snare
Fibes crystallite-14x5.5 snare
Posted on 10 years ago
#9
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