Picked this up at a garage sale for 10 bucks the other day. It sounded like a wet paper bag with the heads that came with it. So I threw on a diplomat I had laying around and it still sounds like a wet paper bag. The bearing edges look like they where chiseled into shape. I'm going to try and sand the rough spots and see if it helps.
I know it's long shot but does anybody recognize that throw off? It doesn't have any other identifable markings.
The strainer is just one of dozens of designs that were incorporated into MIJ snare drums. I've got a snare drum with the same strainer and lugs. It's obvious that the lugs and strainer are modeled after Gretsch, with the strainer looking like a Microsensitive. I'm not sure if the drum was made by Pearl or Star (Tama). Others may chime in with more information!
-Mark
The wet paper bag sound might also be modeled after Gretsch.
Whoa! I kid, I kid....
In order to get it to sound good, you have to do what needs to be with all snares with old heads - give them all new heads and a good set of wires............
It may turn out to sound great once that is done - but you can't give it a fair shot until you replace the old worn out consumables. I recommend the standard Remo Coated Amb and the Amb snare bottom - and some of those Puresound Knock-off German made wires sold by drumfactorydirect. (Or just some Puresounds)......Yes, as you likely know most of this.....good wires make a significant difference.
I had an old Pearl made that I had some double 45s cut on - top and bottom - and the snare just came to life and became the best snare I had at the time.
I would not hesitate to cut the edges on that - risk/investment is low. I would even do it myself if I were you (if you have a router/router table) Even if you have no table I have seen people mount their router on a board (plenty big) and then cut by moving the table/router around the shell instead of the shell around the router/table.
Same drums and hardware, different badges. I like the MIJ Mojo. :)
In order to get it to sound good, you have to do what needs to be with all snares with old heads - give them all new heads and a good set of wires............It may turn out to sound great once that is done - but you can't give it a fair shot until you replace the old worn out consumables. I recommend the standard Remo Coated Amb and the Amb snare bottom - and some of those Puresound Knock-off German made wires sold by drumfactorydirect. (Or just some Puresounds)......Yes, as you likely know most of this.....good wires make a significant difference. I had an old Pearl made that I had some double 45s cut on - top and bottom - and the snare just came to life and became the best snare I had at the time. I would not hesitate to cut the edges on that - risk/investment is low. I would even do it myself if I were you (if you have a router/router table) Even if you have no table I have seen people mount their router on a board (plenty big) and then cut by moving the table/router around the shell instead of the shell around the router/table.
The heads I put on where used but still had plenty of life. I'll try a thicker head to see if it has more mojo. I'm not a fan of diplomats, way to bright for my tastes. I don't think re cutting is necessary, I'm pretty confident I can sand out the rough spots.
