Here is a very nice wmp pioneer in near mint condition stamped 65 going for 200 on craigs. seems a steal and you might even ask for less.

Sorry , forgot link

https://spokane.craigslist.org/msg/d/spokane-holiday-special-vintage-60s/6780060854.html

Very nice drum. Great price too.

So I have just located a jazz festival of about the right year (a 65) for a good price. Similar to the downbeat I was looking at. I feel tempted to go for the jazzfest, but really like the downbeat. Any views?

I have a few of the Downbeat snares Jazz Festivals and quite a few of the Pioneer snares. Actually I am a bit bias as the Pioneer line is my favorite versatile and affordable snare that was available in all of the wraps.

My vote is for the Pioneer.

I agree that it is always great to have the matching product line snare that was offered to complete a kit. However I also find that the Downbeat is a bit harder to tune, the horizontal lugs have a tendency to not hold tension and also the lug boss easily breaks off if you tighten down too much, then good luck finding a replacement one without paying way too much when you are even able to find one.

of course all of this is IMHO

Michael

If you've found a matching Jazz Festival for a good price, I'd go for it. Jazz Festival snares in oyster black pearl have gone through the roof in recent years, so finding one at a good price is something I would jump on as long as it has no major issues. Let us know what you decide.

If you've found a Jazz Festival at a price you're willing to pay then I'd say that would be the smarter purchase. There are more likely to be more people looking for OBP Jazz festivals in the future than either of the other two models. Investment wise it's the smartest way to go (of course when all us baby boomers die off the market for OBP drums might crater and they might be worth the same as any other wrap...maybe less since there were more of them made...but the Beatles thing seems to still be going strong and transcending generations...who knows? in another 50 years they might be forgotten...or a religion).

Not at all they will be on the stock exchange one day lol

I'd (of course) go with the Downbeat snare.

The only way to go

Ditto