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Now that's a rare bird!

Posts: 1040 Threads: 106

The best of mornings to all of you, ladies and gentlemen!

I've just recieved my newest project drum and I'm jumping with joy (or else I'd have to be asking mysef why on earth had I bought such a filthy piece of junk).

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1002/7/7235/7235962_904718f7f979cb26a3fefb9618bcc4b2/images/IMG_2901.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

Behold an Amati snare, a rare old model with a 3ply shell, WMP wrap, nickel-plated stick-chopper rims and a brass badge! I've only seen one or two of these until now.

While newer 60s 6ply models with chrome hardware and plastic lettered logo are fairly common, this is a rare beast. It requires quite a lot of maintenance, but I can't wait to see it all cleaned up. As you can see, lotsa screws are missing. I'll have to replace them with chrome ones, but well, what can I do. Also, one of the lugs is cracked. I'm not very likely to find another one as those lugs are older models with no floating parts, but hopefully it can be fixed somehow. Strainer lever arm is newer, chrome-plated, but even if it was made from solid gold, I'd hate it, as this strainer mechanism, while being extremely simple, is also incredibly hard to set up and tune properly. Rims are bent and rusty, but I am sure they will work.

Either strainer mechanism and muffler or the badge are mounted upside down. I might know the truth from snare beds, but I doubt this drum has any. No big deal, tho, as I can turn all the hardware around the way I want it to be.

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1002/7/7235/7235962_904718f7f979cb26a3fefb9618bcc4b2/images/IMG_2902.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1002/7/7235/7235962_904718f7f979cb26a3fefb9618bcc4b2/images/IMG_2903.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1002/7/7235/7235962_904718f7f979cb26a3fefb9618bcc4b2/images/IMG_2905.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

Oh hey and two more cool things. Unlike newer models, this drum is actually date-stamped. Seems to have been made in september, 1960. Could be one of the last few ones of his kind. I've never seen another Amati in WMP. AND... don't you think the shell could be birch? Re-rings are obviusly beech, which I thought is the only wood Amati ever used, but the shell seems to be too light to be beech.

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1002/7/7235/7235962_904718f7f979cb26a3fefb9618bcc4b2/images/IMG_2904.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

This will take a lot of work to get running and results are uncertain, but I'm thrilled to have this piece of history in my clutches.

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1002/7/7235/7235962_904718f7f979cb26a3fefb9618bcc4b2/images/IMG_2906.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

Sysl krysu nenahradi!

-196?-72 6ply White Oyster Amati
-1960s 3ply Red Sparkle Amati
- Zildjian, Paiste, Zyn, Istanbul

http://bandzone.cz/blueswan
Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 5291 Threads: 226

Very nice!! I have never seen that badge before...I need one of those for my collection!! Sweet score!!

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 2349 Threads: 79

SWEET! We've all seen drums in much worse condition revived! Congratulations!

fishwaltz
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 904 Threads: 127

many congrats..looking good and will look awesome once cleaned up..nice catch !

45/48 Slingerland WMP
51 Luxus WMP
56 Speedfire BDP
56 Speedfire WMP
59 Speedfire Aqua
59 Speedfire Red Sparkle
59 Deri Dixi Red Perloid
59 Luxus BDP
60 Luxus Black Silver
61 Luxus WMP
62 Telstar Blue Stripe
62 Telstar Red Croc
62 Telstar Gold Croc
62 Telstar Blue Croc
63 Luxus Gold Croc
64 Speedfire Blue Sparkle
64 Luxus Black/Gold Spots
65 Speedfire Gold Croc
66 Luxus Blue Croc
66 Vox Thunderbolt Silver Croc
67 Vox Telstar Blue Croc
67 Vox Telstar Red Sparkle
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 1570 Threads: 66

This will be a great project, Gilnar. Luckily you have most if not all of the parts you need.

The shell could also be Poplar.It is very hard to tell Poplar and Birch apart because the colour and grain of the two woods are very similar. In general, though Polplar is a little whiter and Birch more yellow.. The most distinctive difference between them ,is the Poplar used in Europe has tiny little white longitudinal flecks running with the grain and birch has tiny little dark flecks , running with the grain. Birch is also slightly harder than Poplar.

Amati appears to make a higher quality product than , they are given credit for. One thing that is the case with all drums is that the premium models and examples of all makers are often highly regarded by their owners,or are on display some where, so they seldom show up for sale. It is often ,only low or medium grade items that appear on the market----which can colour ones sense of just what kind of drums a specific company was making.

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 596 Threads: 25

Gorgeous find, Gilnar ! Really rarest Amati !

George.

Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Clean er up! Clean er up!

Nice find...

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 1040 Threads: 106

From calfskin

The most distinctive difference between them ,is the Poplar used in Europe has tiny little white longitudinal flecks running with the grain and birch has tiny little dark flecks , running with the grain. Amati appears to make a higher quality product than , they are given credit for.

I'll have to look more closely to determine the type of wood.

As for the quality, while Amati drums weren't bad from an engieneering standpoint, they suffered from poor manufacturing quality. Most notorious issue are flat-ish, unevenly cut bearing edges. This applies also for this drum.

Anyway, I think that if Amati made any higher quality items than those I've encountered so far, they were meant for export to Western bloc. This approach was used in many fields of industry back then.

Sysl krysu nenahradi!

-196?-72 6ply White Oyster Amati
-1960s 3ply Red Sparkle Amati
- Zildjian, Paiste, Zyn, Istanbul

http://bandzone.cz/blueswan
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 1040 Threads: 106

Thanks for the encourageing replies, everyone! I don't have much time now, but will work on this as soon as I can. I can't wait to play it.

Sysl krysu nenahradi!

-196?-72 6ply White Oyster Amati
-1960s 3ply Red Sparkle Amati
- Zildjian, Paiste, Zyn, Istanbul

http://bandzone.cz/blueswan
Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 1184 Threads: 60

Very cool. I love the BatmobileCar Driving2 lugs on those!

"If it doesn't matter who wins or loses then why the hell do they keep score Peg? - Al Bundy
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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