My first "real" snare was a used Powertone back in the early 70's. Best snare and did everything I asked. Broad tuning range. If you have a Premier die cast hoop try that on the Slingerland GK. I have a 70's GK that came with COS hoops. While it sounded really nice the die cast hoop added a whole new level of tuning with a great crack at higher tension. Not original I know but I'm more about the sound. And I do have the original hoop so! Congrats on another gem to the collection.

Good advice. I might give that a go. I never considered putting a different hoop on the GK. I do like how the stick saver hoops look. It's got a 1950's look about it, like a Cadillac or some 1950's newfangled kitchen appliance. :D

I know it's a 60's snare, but it does have that 50's look about it. I'm still on the honeymoon period with the Rogers for the moment, but the GK is still a keeper.

Stick saver hoops are great! I love the old stick choppers too. Something about being able to whittle wood while you play. The Premier hoop is sort of a rounded over stick chopper. It does stick out a bit in the looks dept. But it's vintage so it works. The hoop came on my wood Radio King. Didn't work/sound very good on that one. On this one yes! The head is a old played out Remo CS. Sounds great with the DC hoop for some reason? Post some beauty shots when you can! Would love to see both. :)

Looks great with DC hoops. That's one shiny looking Slingy snare.

Here's a wee video / audio of the Powerton. I just left the heads that came with it on the snare, but tuned them up a bit and set up the wires a little better, or worse depending on who you ask. :)

I play it here with no muffling. I probably should have demonstrated it with muffler on too. Oh well, here goes. Excuse my playing. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94KociQGfQE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94KociQGfQE[/ame]

Wow. Nice job all around. Glad you like it. Good it has the original snares. Those are spendy. It will be a long honeymoon enjoy!!

My GK has COB rims, the PT COS. In the shinny department the PT has some of the best chrome I have ever seen on anything.

Congrats on a great score.

Creighton

Glad you could dig it. I'll have to put some Ambassadors on it. I was glad the original wires were on it. One strand has a tiny bend in it right where the wires meet the steel plate part, but it's really not that bad. It's a fine example of a Powertone. There's no label inside the shell, so there's no serial number to date it, but I'm very happy with it.

Congrats on your new Powertone. It is a great all purpose snare. I highly recommend either a Remo Vintage Ambassador or Vintage Emperor for the batter. They add a touch of control and body. Can't go wrong with a hazy ambassador snare side. Those drums really sing with a medium to medium high tuning. Enjoy and play it in good health.

Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a try. I was liking the Premier Everplay. Those heads are very shallow at the collar which makes the hoop sit a little higher. I like these style of heads, but Ambassador will sound a little better. I've wanted to try the Vintage A heads for a while. They're hard to find where I live. I'll keep an eye out. Cheers.

It looks like this is solved - nice find. I was trying to decide between the same two snares awhile back and had the chance to get both for a decent price. (My Powertone was $50 on eBay because the seller labeled it incorrectly). The Krupa SK felt better to play (prefer stick savers over flanged hoops for rim shots) and I liked it better sonically as well. Great sounding snare. My Dayton Powertone always sounded a bit compressed regardless of set up and the note was a bit odd so I'd always dry it way out to record, but if I had to do it again I'd probably take the Powertone simply because it's an amazingly built drum and the most reliable hardware wise of the American vintage brands. The strainer is great and the shell is solid. The Slingy shell is prone to dents near the Zoomatic strainer and as for that strainer itself…well, I'll say it wasn't for me and I wouldn't be at ease gigging with it too much. Glad you scored a quality drum.

Agreed,

Vintage A on top & a hazy or something thin on the bottom..