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Is Puresound the Only Snare Wire For Clamshell Strainer? Last viewed: 8 hours ago

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I have a '59 Radio King with a Clam Shell strainer and want to replace snare wires. The only replacement wires that I see are offered by Puresound, PR-1416, which is a 16 strand wire. I wanted to upgrade to a 20 strand set as was found in most of the later 60's/early 70's snares. Do they or anyone else offer this?

Last, i Puresound the only company currently making this wire?

Do I pull the trigger and buy this?

Thanks!

Candy Apple Red 1982 DB Tama Superstar 14 pc.
'59 Slingerland Radio King Red Glass Snare 14 x 5
'69 Rogers Chrome 5-Line Dyna Snare 14 x 5 (Sold)
'67 Slingerland Sound King 14 x 5 Snare (Sold)
'73 Slingerland Super Sound King 14 x 5 Snare (Sold)
'68 Slingerland 10-Lug Aluminum 14x5 Snare (Sold)
'68 Rogers Dayton COB Powertone Snare 14 x 5 (Sold)
Tama Superstar Candy Apple Red Snare 14x6 1/2 (Sold)
Tama Superstar Candy Apple Red Snare 14x6 1/2 w/o Muffler

All Zildjian, all the time!
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
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From my research, Puresound is the only manufacturer offering wires for your drum. Sound? The Puresound's will do justice to the drum! I've found Puresound wires to offer a bit warmer sound than original manufacturer wires, but great sounding none-the-less. Go for the Puresound wires and enjoy the sound!

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
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To my knowledge puresound is the only one that makes wires for it. And I think they are 16 strand for a reason. I wanna say 20 strands are too wide for the snare beds on those drums

1973 Slingerland Phantom 13,16,22
Late 30s Slingerland Radio King- 7x14
SJC Custom Snare Pink Sparkle- 8x14
62 Slingerland COB Radio King- 5x14
Posted on 13 years ago
#3
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I have used Pure sound blasters,pure sound 16's and the Dynasonic wires,the blasters were a little brighter,but all were great,all still working,I agree the top line wires are a little warmer or mellower than a lot of the cheaper wires out there,but the 16's in my experience give you everything a cheaper 20 strand in my experience

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
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Thanks for the feedback...appreciate it!

While I'm on this subject, I'm also restoring a Super Sound King, which the members of this site have told me that the clamshell style is the only wire available for this drum. However, the later Slingerlands used 20 strand as opposed to 16. What do I do in this situation?

I guess the 16 strand will do, but the original wires were 20? Any thoughts?

Thanks for your help!

Candy Apple Red 1982 DB Tama Superstar 14 pc.
'59 Slingerland Radio King Red Glass Snare 14 x 5
'69 Rogers Chrome 5-Line Dyna Snare 14 x 5 (Sold)
'67 Slingerland Sound King 14 x 5 Snare (Sold)
'73 Slingerland Super Sound King 14 x 5 Snare (Sold)
'68 Slingerland 10-Lug Aluminum 14x5 Snare (Sold)
'68 Rogers Dayton COB Powertone Snare 14 x 5 (Sold)
Tama Superstar Candy Apple Red Snare 14x6 1/2 (Sold)
Tama Superstar Candy Apple Red Snare 14x6 1/2 w/o Muffler

All Zildjian, all the time!
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
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The 16-strand wires from Puresound will work perfectly! Puresound does offer 20-strand wires for some of their offerings, however, Puresound's 16-strand wires offer the same amount of "snare" as most vintage 20-strand wires. When I first heard of Puresound, years ago, I was also hesitant to use a 16-strand in place of a 20-strand. Turns out my concerns were unfounded. The 16-strand wires will sound great... and the only choice available for your drum. Give it a try!

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
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So, that is what I am going to do, thanks for the rec.!

Question: I have two Slingy snares that use this wire - '59 Radio King and my Super Sk. My Radio King is collectable condition with (I was told) original snare wires. Need to buy wires for the SSK. If truly restoring the SSK and/or needed to replace the wires on the RK, is there any shot at picking up a used set of originals on Ebay or from a vintage supplier?

Thanks!

Candy Apple Red 1982 DB Tama Superstar 14 pc.
'59 Slingerland Radio King Red Glass Snare 14 x 5
'69 Rogers Chrome 5-Line Dyna Snare 14 x 5 (Sold)
'67 Slingerland Sound King 14 x 5 Snare (Sold)
'73 Slingerland Super Sound King 14 x 5 Snare (Sold)
'68 Slingerland 10-Lug Aluminum 14x5 Snare (Sold)
'68 Rogers Dayton COB Powertone Snare 14 x 5 (Sold)
Tama Superstar Candy Apple Red Snare 14x6 1/2 (Sold)
Tama Superstar Candy Apple Red Snare 14x6 1/2 w/o Muffler

All Zildjian, all the time!
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
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From Vipuronr

I have a '59 Radio King with a Clam Shell strainer and want to replace snare wires. The only replacement wires that I see are offered by Puresound, PR-1416, which is a 16 strand wire. I wanted to upgrade to a 20 strand set as was found in most of the later 60's/early 70's snares. Do they or anyone else offer this?Last, i Puresound the only company currently making this wire? Do I pull the trigger and buy this?Thanks!

After reading all the responses to your question, I think you should be careful when veering to far from the snare wires that originally came on the drum when it left the factory. Example: I have a 1956 WFL Super Classic and a WFL Downbeat both of which sound great with the Ludwig (Plastic Ends) snare wires or the very light weight Ludwig Metal Ends, but the super classic with puresound replacement wires sounds so bad, I wouldn't even keep it if all I had were the P.S. snare wires for it. Overall P.S. makes fantastic snare wires that work great on "Most" but not all!... Expensive lesson!

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
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I get that and appreciate your opinion.

My issue is that for the SSK, I have no wires and seems like no chance of finding a used set either for the SSK or even for a Slingy clamshell. Fortunately, my Radio King has all its parts, original other than the heads.

So, what are my options if nobody else makes wires for the snare? Certainly, there do not seem to be many SSK's around and no hope of ever finding factory snare wires new or used.

That's the situation and think my only solution is PureSound.

Keep my fingers crossed that they sound good.

:(

Candy Apple Red 1982 DB Tama Superstar 14 pc.
'59 Slingerland Radio King Red Glass Snare 14 x 5
'69 Rogers Chrome 5-Line Dyna Snare 14 x 5 (Sold)
'67 Slingerland Sound King 14 x 5 Snare (Sold)
'73 Slingerland Super Sound King 14 x 5 Snare (Sold)
'68 Slingerland 10-Lug Aluminum 14x5 Snare (Sold)
'68 Rogers Dayton COB Powertone Snare 14 x 5 (Sold)
Tama Superstar Candy Apple Red Snare 14x6 1/2 (Sold)
Tama Superstar Candy Apple Red Snare 14x6 1/2 w/o Muffler

All Zildjian, all the time!
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 5227 Threads: 555
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When i don't have any N.O.S. 20 strand snare wire's to fit R/K or S/K snare's. You know the ones that came on the snare have wire ends that screw onto the botton of the strainer.I make more own Get whatever 20 strand wires you like..Then go to a local hobby shop in model's cars,trains ete the shop sells very thin brass sheet's that are used in model building get a small piece and cut it to fit into the end of the new wire's drill a hole and screw into the botton of the strainer..Mikey

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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