Well, now that I'm selling off my percussion & vintage snare drum collection, I might just buy me another tuba.
Here's a drum I've had for a long time—certainly one of my most collectible.
I discounted this because someone stripped the black lacquer off, and the buyer was standing in front of me with the CASH.
My 1920s era Ludwig 10 lug Black Beauty 5x14 snare drum just sold for $3200. was asking 4K
Re: price of tubas & snare drums
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 9:02 pm
by Mary Ann
Is there really that much difference between snare drums and snare drums? Is it a player thing where you hear it and the audience doesn't, and somehow the good ones are easier to play (or not, ha) like tubas?
Re: price of tubas & snare drums
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 10:18 pm
by bloke
Mary Ann wrote: Thu Jul 03, 2025 9:02 pm
Is there really that much difference between snare drums and snare drums? Is it a player thing where you hear it and the audience doesn't, and somehow the good ones are easier to play (or not, ha) like tubas?
Mary Ann wrote: Thu Jul 03, 2025 9:02 pm
Is there really that much difference between snare drums and snare drums? Is it a player thing where you hear it and the audience doesn't, and somehow the good ones are easier to play (or not, ha) like tubas?
hmm... Vintage 186 or Jimbo 186...
This video shows some actual JinBao drums vs some Pearls. The relevant comparison points on construction are all made in the first 1:50. At 6:45 he starts doing a playing comparison.
Mary Ann wrote: Thu Jul 03, 2025 9:02 pm
Is there really that much difference between snare drums and snare drums? Is it a player thing where you hear it and the audience doesn't, and somehow the good ones are easier to play (or not, ha) like tubas?
hmm... Vintage 186 or Jimbo 186...
what if your snare is 10 cents off?
Do drummers (or "percussionists") have online forums and endlessly rehash the same two or three questions about equipment?
Mary Ann wrote: Thu Jul 03, 2025 9:02 pm
Is there really that much difference between snare drums and snare drums? Is it a player thing where you hear it and the audience doesn't, and somehow the good ones are easier to play (or not, ha) like tubas?
hmm... Vintage 186 or Jimbo 186...
what if your snare is 10 cents off?
Do drummers (or "percussionists") have online forums and endlessly rehash the same two or three questions about equipment?
10 cents off seems like a pretty good price to me...just sayin'...
what if your snare is 10 cents off?
Do drummers (or "percussionists") have online forums and endlessly rehash the same two or three questions about equipment?
10 cents off seems like a pretty good price to me...just sayin'...
Much more difference in build quality between those two, than sound difference.
Jinbao brass seems overall much better than Jinbao percussion....
bloke wrote: Thu Jul 03, 2025 10:18 pm
hmm... Vintage 186 or Jimbo 186...
Personally, I'd take a good Cerveny equivalent over both of those....
Re: price of tubas & snare drums
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 8:38 am
by Tim Jackson
The individual who purchased this drum was the drum tech on a recent Sheryl Crow tour, works for a major percussion company, and has also been affiliated with a custom drum shop. He told me it's the brass and shell that make these 20s-era drums so special. He collects these models because of the sound.
The new brass shell snare drums just don't sound as good!
I once owned a 1900 Cerveny BBb kaiser tuba. At the time I acquired the instrument, there were some articles on the web having to do with the brass used on these horns. A special recipe of sorts. The tone was incredible. I always swore if you put it behind a curtain with other tubas for a text you would pick it every time for tone. With the old clock springs it was like taking a Model-T around the block: very cool horn and unparalleled tone.
I have great respect for modern technology, but often the old ways prevail.
TJ
Re: price of tubas & snare drums
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 9:17 am
by bloke
I used to pick up vintage percussion in good condition that I knew was desirable, but percussionists would always try to tell me it was only worth $40 or something like that, so I just quit.
If it has changed in the last 30 years, that's good.
By the way, trombones are still that way... Except there's also this factor that many of them perceive that new hot dog trombones with bland resonance characteristics are far better than vintage close to new condition with beautiful resonance..
Really good vintage trumpets consistently feature so much contact wear and mechanical wear that I don't fool with them either.
Congratulations on moving that nice unit for a fair price.
By the way, trombones are still that way... Except there's also this factor that many of them perceive that new hot dog trombones with bland resonance characteristics are far better than vintage close to new condition with beautiful resonance..
I keep waiting to find a King 2B for a steal in a thrift shop or yard sale...because it is old and ugly... so far no luck.
By the way, trombones are still that way... Except there's also this factor that many of them perceive that new hot dog trombones with bland resonance characteristics are far better than vintage close to new condition with beautiful resonance..
I keep waiting to find a King 2B for a steal in a thrift shop or yard sale...because it is old and ugly... so far no luck.
The original Tempo with a nickel plated bell, a curved brace, a wide tuning slide bow, and with brass outside slide tubes is extremely similar to the Whigham model of the 2B... but (1) they have become rare and (2) people figured out what they are.
(King came up with it to compete with the Conn Constellation.)
