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1930's Leedy Reliance Snare

Posts: 449 Threads: 81

I picked up a 1930's Leedy Reliance snare and a 26" bass drum, along with some other items that came with it. I have a thread in the Restoring Vintage Drums section that includes pictures of everything that came with it.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=12248

I am new to drums of this era, so please bear with my newbie like questions.

How does this drum compare to the Ludwig Black Beauties of this era from a sound, shell thickness perspective, etc.?

I realize my drum is not a black beauty and not as desireable and collectible. But, I figure this is as close to owning a vintage BB as I will come since drumming is really just fun hobby for me. Would this drum be considered Leedy's equivalent of the BB?

Were the BB shells brass covered in black paint and lacquered or was there some other part of the process?

I assume the creamish painted shells like mine would have more ring than say a chromed or nickled plated drum of this era like some of the other Leedy Reliance models I have seen. Would that be an accurate statement?

How much would a relatively rust free snare like mine be worth once it has been cleaned up and brought back to life?

I believe the tension rods may be brass. I am missing 1 and have not been able to track down any replacements and will use a new tension rod until I find a vintage one to use. I also need a hoop clip, but have found a few modern versions of those online that I can purchase.

Where can I find original style snare wires? I have no idea where to find them and haven't any luck looking online. How do the original snarewires sound to modern snappy snare wires. I thought it may be fun to try them if I can find them. A local music store suggested using Bass guitar strings. Would that be a viable plan or should I just use some snappy snares and call it a day?

I purchased a Remo Skyntone head for the batter, so we'll see how that fits and sounds. Anyone have experience with this head?

Thanks for any help, comments, suggestions, etc. I hope to have the drum in working order by the end of the weekend. I will post pics once I bring it back to life.

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 683 Threads: 96

I'll take the wire question - Buy vintage marching wires off of ebay, sometimes you have to get the entire assembly just to get the wires. I like the sound on the old drums, they sound more throaty and crunchy to me, more grunt than newer wires.

30's Radio King - 26, 13, 13, 16
49 - WFL Ray McKinley - 26, 13, 16
58 - Slingerland Duco
58 - Slingerland Krupa Deluxe
70 - Ludwig Champagne Sparkle - 20, 12, 14
70 - Ludwig Champagne Sparkle - 22 (need), 13, 16
And some others..
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Your shell is more in line with the early pioneer snare drum shell's not the heavy brass 2 piece black beauty shell, put 12 strand puresound snare wires on it, and remo white coated on top and remo diplomat snare side and you'll be all smiles,Jumping2

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

The snare was commonly sent out in white lacquer, so very likely the finish is original. And the shell is brass...leedy never used anything but a brass shell from the 20s thru the slingerland era in the 60s.

This shell is thinner than the famed black beauty, and is a one piece shell. It's closer to the Ludwig Pioneer shell (20s / 30s, not 'late 50s-70s wood pioneers...). It's also a similar shell to the late '50s and early '60s "supers" later called supraphonics.

To clean, disassemble the drum...clean the shell with soap an d water and a light cleaner or car polish wax.

Clean the other parts with cape cod polishing cloths. It's easy to get replacement clips for the hoops. (BTW, the hoops may be steel or brass.)

It's nice that the presto throw off seems to be in working order. Handle it gently when cleaning.

Good luck, nice find.

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

Thank you to everyone that responded for your time and insight.

I appreciate the advice and will take loving care when handling this baby.

Do you think the current wires are usable? One strand seems a little bent, but I'm hoping cleaning and retightening may pull them back in shape a bit. If not, I'll go for the puresound wires.

I think the hoops may be brass as they have a brassy hue to them, but not as deep in color as the tube lugs.

Were the BB's a spun shell or welded? Were they just paint over the brass or did they have another layer of something else?

Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

The deluxes, which became the black beauties originally had the two piece shells, in the '30s they, I think, wint to heavier one piece shells (spun?)?

The black beauties were plated in black nickel.

They did have other, less expensive drums that was lacquered black or white...

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

From Rich K.

The deluxes, which became the black beauties originally had the two piece shells, in the '30s they, I think, wint to heavier one piece shells (spun?)?The black beauties were plated in black nickel.They did have other, less expensive drums that was lacquered black or white...

How were they 2 piece shells? Top piece fit over the bottom piece for example? Or an inner shell and outer shell screwed together?

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

Top piece and bottom welded together at the bead,

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

From Rich K.

Top piece and bottom welded together at the bead,

Thanks Rich!!! As you can tell I am trying to learn as much as

I can about these older drums.

Thanks for your help!

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 392 Threads: 30

Are these shells like the heavier 2 piece 4 seam (2 horizontal seams along the center rib and 1 vertical seam per half) Ludwigs of the early 20s and before?

[COLOR="Red"]Ooops, Sorry, RichK you already answered my question above.[/COLOR]

“In fact your pedal extremities are a bit obnoxious”. – Fats Waller
Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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