i have a statford besson snare thats exactly the same, blue pearl finish , I cant really get much of a sound out of it.

Lovely snare!

I have a couple of very similar snares - both Ajax. Interesting because earlier on this thread I found out that edgeware was the budget Ajax - never new that! Anyway, I have A BMP that's identical hardware-wise and a 14" Piccolo. I use the piccolo regularly and it's awesome, but I've not managed to get the standard size one to sound good. I guess I need to mess with the tension and wires etc. How have you got yours tuned?

Hi Isaac, as everyone has said Edgware was a budget Ajax brand. In practice though the drums often had the same shells as the more expensive lines, Ajax and English Rogers for example. The difference was often the hardware. Less lugs per drum for example. That serial number 88*** would date your drum to around October '64 - all Ajax'a drums shared the same serial number sequence. The wrap as you would guess is Red Pearl. I have a later Ajax Nu-Sound in that wrap that I have collected most of the parts to refurb. now.

[IMG]http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/nutbox/Ajax/DSCN1914.jpg[/IMG]

Just reread this thread. To clarify, B&H were and still are a noted woodwind/brass instument manufacturer here in the UK. Ajax was their drum manufacturing arm from 1927.

During the 60s Ajax's drums were made at B&H's "Sonourous Works", Deansbrook Road, Edgware, North London.

The Ajax range consisted of the top line Ajax and English Rogers (61-67ish) - my particular interest.

Edgware drums introduced in 1956 as the budget range.

Stratford by Besson were also made by Ajax. Besson was another of B&H's companies which was used to market English Rogers. I don't know were Stratford drums fitted in quality terms but they had the same shells again.

All the drums shared the same wraps in the 60s with a few exceptions. Red and Blue Sparkle and Red, Blue, White and Black Pearl were the most common and some others later on.

It is interesting what Dave Morello says about the hardware being Premier, not heard that before. Ajax and Premier both used die cast hoops in the period in question but they were of a different profile. Not saying Dave is wrong but would like to know more. Ajax and Premier certainly collaborated later on but not heard of that at this period.

Anyone wanting to know more of the Ajax drum company can buy "A brief history of Ajax drums" from Dave Seville (about ten A4 photocopied pages) email [email]toroloco@tiscali.co.uk[/email] who runs the "Old Drummers Club" newsletter.