I have 1 of the Dunnetts. Single ply Kauri. Bought used from a guy in Boston. He didnt like it.

Craviatto made the shells for Dunnett.

I think there were just a few made. It has a unique sound. I'm pretty sure Nora Jone's old drummer used this Kauri in concert and you can hear what it sounds like in context there.

Its one of the best snare drums ever...naturally gated...softer wood..the only SD I have that plays straight Ambassadors w/a super creamy sound with absolutely no muffling needed.

This is not a hardwood super high volume go deaf snare. Most snares are made these days with this in mind and need work to sound good.

This has tons of warmth and midrange. It just sings there.

But that said...it takes a day or 2 for a new head to set before the sound comes alive and thats why I think people dont initially like it. They dont give it a chance to settle in to the new head. They just put a head on it..play it..think it sucks..toss it aside..and thats that. 

I even tried to return it when I 1st put a new Amby on it as the original Dunnett head sucked. I just put the Remo Amby on it and man..I  thought I got ripped off. The guy I bought it from refused to take it back so I was stuck with it..but then low and behold.. a day or 2 later..I thought..this drum is just fantastic!

[img]https://i.imgur.com/B0Dll1o.jpg[/img]