I'm pretty sure it's a mid 60's, D-421 parallel action snare. Look for a stamped 3 digit date code inside the shell. Look carefully as it may be faded but there should be something there. The first digit of the date code will be the year, the next two are the month. Therefore 604 would be April, 1966. The shell is beech, not sure of the ply count. Nice looking drum. Can you take a pic of the throwoff?

Thank you very much for your help. I cannot say much about the serial number as I do not own this drum (yet). I am planning to buy it but the seller could not give much more than a few photos. So, here is a picture of the throwoff

Very nice mid sixties snare. I have the same snare in beech but without the parallel strainer. The quality is awesome! Check out the sonor museum at www.sonormuseum.org for more details on this fine snare. Good price?Walking

~K

It's about the price I was wondering really. The guy is asking around 50$ but now I start to think that he's not really aware of what he's selling :) Thanks to you guys I am looking foroward to get a good deal, wish me luck.

Hmmm,

There was a very recent long discussion on this forum regarding to "steal or not to steal" or perhaps "deal or no deal". This forum drew more responses than any I've seen, as taking advantage of a "not so current with respect to vintage drum values seller" or the perception thereof is a moral topic requiring debate. And debated it was!

At $50 for this snare you are going to move up in the world by between $300-$400 instantaneously. The person likely just wants it out of the house because it is of no use to them sitting around collecting dust. You could mention it's true value to assuage your own conscience and likely pay a little more, or buy it for $50., enjoy it and rejoice that the drum gods smiled on you today!

Let your own conscience dictate. Soap Box

~K

Lol, I've already made my opinion abot this - if the man does not know what he's selling he has no respect for the drum or it may be that it's the drum that by it's own will really wants to go to me (or any other lucky person) :D. OR, of course, it might just have an obscure flaw. Just joking a bit. Anyway, I will keep you posted on how the thing evolves. I already owe you.

Jump For Joy So I bought this dusty old pearl(oid)! I got blown away by the incredibly mint condition it is in - absolutely nu scrach or dent, the wood shell, finish and metal are all clean. All orginal parts exept for the snares, which are Pearl. The fact that all the lugs and tension rods are in perfect shape really amazes me. This drum was either really well taken care of or very little used. By the way, the 3 digit number printed inside the shell is 511 (November 1965). I just need put some real heads and it's ready for some playing Walking

Wow! What a score...:D

I would like to think that the drum gods smiled on you!