I have the opportunity to buy a 60's (keystone badge) supraphonic, 5 or 5.5 x14. I haven't seen it yet, but from what I understand, it's all original, has the P83 and the baseball-bat muffler, and has some pitting (it's the alloy shell). The price is $200. Is this worth it? How stable is pitting, typically? Am I going to have pieces of chrome falling off every time I move the drum? Also, I've only ever played COB supras before -- how disappointed will I be with the sound of the alloy? I have very little experience with Ludwig drums, so I'd just like to know what to expect going in. Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated!
To buy or not to buy...
That is a good to reasonable price for that drum, depending on its condition.
Regardless, you can stabilize the pitting by storing it in as dry of condition as possible and applying a chrome polish - Fitz, etc. There are even chrome protectants on the market for added stability.
If the pitting is really bad, offer $150. It's a great drum. It will sound different from a COB drum, but you won't be disappointed.
I think the supra is a good sounding snare drum. Especially at higher tunings. If however you are used and wanting that more round motivating shell sound, then no, I would not spend 200 on a supra. Ebay has them for less..
It's a fair price if the condition is good. The fact it's a keystone badge, BB muffler and P-83 equipped drum makes it so.
"Nietzsche is dead." -God
The average selling price for a keystone supra over the last 3 weeks on da' bay is $269.50. And that doesn't include shipping. Try it out. If you like it, get it.
Well, I bought it -- done deal. Came with an old green houndstooth Ludwig case. Quite a bit of pitting, but I'll clean it up and see what we can do. It's not a beauty queen, but I'm sure I can get it sounding great. It will be a nice compliment to my Dynasonic, which was the only metal snare I had until now.
I used to have a COB Dyna. Between the Dyna and my Supras, the Supras are much, much friendlier. And I tend to like their sound much better, too. They feel buttery to play. They have the Ludwig "squish" to the feel.
"Nietzsche is dead." -God
I have the opportunity to buy a 60's (keystone badge) supraphonic, 5 or 5.5 x14. I haven't seen it yet, but from what I understand, it's all original, has the P83 and the baseball-bat muffler, and has some pitting (it's the alloy shell). The price is $200. Is this worth it? How stable is pitting, typically? Am I going to have pieces of chrome falling off every time I move the drum? Also, I've only ever played COB supras before -- how disappointed will I be with the sound of the alloy? I have very little experience with Ludwig drums, so I'd just like to know what to expect going in. Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated!
I think it's a great deal. Paid next to nothing for one about 20 years ago.(actually a transition badge) It has been the staple in my recording studio ever since. Fairly large acts, actually, when they hear our supra recorded, will insist their drummers put their snares back in the case, prefering the use of this old thing. COB or Ludaloy the microphones don't lie and it's really hard, for me at least, to put a price on that. Thanks very much and good luck!
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