This guy in Austin has been showing me several different kits, the R360, R380, Leedy, Rogers and a Ludwig kit. If you've been following along, you'll know what I'm talking about, if not, go look at my other threads. Anyway, he texted me today and told me he do $800 on the Downbeat, it has an 8x12, 9x13, 14x14, 14x20, 5x14. He's throwing in the 13 because he doesn't want an orphan drum.
Ludwig Downbeat
Wrong mount on bd as a players kit only not a investment can’t understand why they do that to a drum when you just add another arm on the consulate.
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp
once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Wrong mount on bd as a players kit only not a investment can’t understand why they do that to a drum when you just add another arm on the consulate.
Regardless, $800 for a 5 piece set, assuming it's in good condition, is a reasonable price. Of course without good quality closeups of the shells, hardware, interiors and badges, it's difficult to evaluate. I did notice that the champagne sparkle inlay on one of the BD hoops is missing.
BosLover
Ya, I noticed that too, but they are in good condition. I figure with the 14 tom and snare it makes it worth it and I could sell the 13 since I won't need it. I've been wanting a smaller kit to go with my other Ludwig.
4 extra holes in the kick, presumably for missing rail mount, but yeah I'd buy them, after checking the workmanship on the new tom holder installation - it can be ugly.
Ya, I noticed that too, but they are in good condition. I figure with the 14 tom and snare it makes it worth it and I could sell the 13 since I won't need it. I've been wanting a smaller kit to go with my other Ludwig.
That isn't a DownBeat snare. Is it a Jazz Fest? It looks like a P83 throw off. I don't recall off hand what year they switched to the P85 but the first catalog I have which shows one is 1971.
If it is a Jazz Fest, it does not appear to have the "standard" 5x14 shell. As is fairly well known, some Jazz Fests actually were made with Super Classic 5.5x14 shells. The Jazz Fest my son purchased from BEC is an example of that. The image of the snare may be a bit distorted, but the spacing between the lugs and the hoops, and the position of the throw-off, relative to the height of the shell makes me pretty certain that drum has a 5.5x14 shell. The snare lugs also look widely spaced so I also wonder whether it could be a 6 lug Pioneer snare. I don't know if any of this makes a difference to you but it might if you really wanted a 4x14 DownBeat snare.
Do you know what badges are on the drums? It's hard for me to see but I think I made out serial numbers on them
BosLover
It's a Pioneer snare.
BosLover
Here's more pictures....
I've owned two Pioneer snare drums in my life....The first one is absolutely the best snare drum I've ever played. It's a 1964 gold sparkle with NOB rims...original heads that have never been off the drum.
The second was a green sparkle one from the 70's (pointy B/O). It was easily the worst snare drum I've ever played. I only bought it because it was in mint condition except for the fact that whoever cut the bearing edges must have been drunk. I sold it as fast as I could.
All I can say is that when you find a good one, then it will be a great one.
Player-wise, the Pioneer wins over the Downbeat, in my opinion. BUT...as far as desirability, the 4 X 14 Downbeat snare is far more valuable and sought after. It plays like a countertop, though! It chokes really fast if you try to play it hard....very weird drum, imo.
"Nietzsche is dead." -God
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