I own three supras....a 1968 5x14, a 5x14 B/O 1970's badge, and an early 2000's 6 1/2x14....they all sound the same to me....the difference in the deeper one being a bit louder than the 5x14 ones. I say go for a new one if you can afford it, sound wise they will be the same. You have to have super-human hearing to be able to tell the difference, if there actually is one.

Harry (and anyone else wanting to chime in)...what do you consider "in good shape" to mean? I just picked up a 1971 402 for $150. The only thing wrong was slight pitting (but no flaking) and non-original snare wires/heads. I know it was a great deal, and I've wanted a 402 for a few years now, but I wonder what exactly constitutes "in good shape".

It really sounds like you scored a "Great" deal on that drum. The closest I've come to that price was last year. Someone had a 402 "shell only" for sale for around $175! I'm not sure I have ever seen one for that price unless it was somewhat trashed. Where did you get it.. if you don't mind me asking. What a find!!

To me "in good shape" means just what you said, "slight pitting with no flaking". I have seen them (402's) for $300+ with rust and lots of pitting.

Can you post some photos...would love to see-um!!

Harry

:D$150 good find. I just cleaned up a Supra I got for $235 off the Flay Bay.

Only a few little flakes. Gorgeous thing of beauty!

I have a 1963 keystone, several '70's B&O supra's, a newer 2000 Monroe, NC and they all sound the same because the shell composition has never changed to this day! The Acrolite, BTW is the same shell material but with eight lugs. Sounds the same as a Supra too! Sometimes called the poor man's Supra..with the 400 having the much better looks of course

Cheers!

-Kellyj

I'd get a vintage Supra over a new one ANY day. I have two 400 Supras, at present. I have a 1969 keystone badge 400 Supra (rotary dial muffler & a P-83 throwoff) and I have a 1979 pointy B/O badge 400 Supra (rotary muffler & black-faced P-85. They sound the same. I actually prefer the 400 over the 402, I think...butI would love to get my hands on a real, minty 402 someday. I've had them in the past and sold them -long before they were in-fashion! Dang!Mister T

I like the BB mufflers better than the rotary style, but, hey, let's not split hairs, huh? flowers2

You shouldn't have any problem finding a 70s 5x14 Supra for under $200 on ebay.

Just a note of caution on buying Supra's on Ebay. I've purchased, cleaned up and sold maybe 10 of these over the last four years and never had a problem with sellers except for the second to last one I bought about two months ago.

The seller had about 8 good pics up of a B&O' mid seventies drum. His description said there was very little pitting and it was all original except for the heads and snare wires. Honestly, looked like a nice Supra, so I bid based on his dscription and won it for $189. A fair price and after clean up and polishing a drum like that normally fetches about $230-$270.

The wonderful sound of the doorbell with the USPS guy standing there with a snare sized box...

You know the joy! After quickly unpacking and inspecting...the freekin' horror of 16 etched letters and numbers about 1/4" in height each on the top panel to the left of the strainer caused me to be severly p------- off. None of these etchings showed in the photos because of the angle of the pics and lighting used. After contacting the seller and asking why this state of affairs? I got nothing but sorry and in his words.."just get it re-chromed". I insisted that he send me $50 back on PP or I report his sorry little butt to ebay. Well, he did re-imburse me and I have the drum as a "Player", albeit a nice sounding snare because the etching does not affect the sonority at all. Soap Box

Buyer Beware!

-kellyj