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Premier snare Last viewed: 10 hours ago

Posts: 526 Threads: 60

I picked up this Premier snare today. Anybody know what I have here?

It's a metal shell with a parallel strainer. Serial number 1637. It's hard to see through the hazy snare-side head in the photo, but you can see the two metal rods inside the shell going across the diameter of the drum.

There's some very minor pitting on the lugs, and a bit more on the rims. The shell itself has its share of scratches, but it's not bad overall.

The rims and slotted T-rods look like original Premier. The rims have that lovely rounded style.

There's a series of holes on opposite sides of the drum, 90 degrees off from the badge. You can see one set of them in the last photo. I can't tell what these are for -- the drum already has a tone control in a different hole, so I'm stumped.

Speaking of the tone control: the muffler itself remains, but the knob is missing.

The snare wires are "Premier 12"s. It looks like there should be two sets of wires, 12 strands each. The drum came with only one set. If anyone has an extra set or knows where to find them (and how much to pay), I'd be grateful.

Anyone care to take a stab at what I've got and what it's worth?

Thanks!

EDIT: I took a look at the catalog pages, and I'm thinking this is a late 70s/early 80s Premier 2000. Can anyone confirm or deny?

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 526 Threads: 60

Bump

Any thoughts?

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 513 Threads: 102

Lovely snare, and becoming more and more collectible, too. it's a parallel flo beam mechanism which was evident in Premier 2000 models and others, but your snare looks deeper. Premier did make piccolo equivalents to the 2000, so I'd guess this is a slightly rarer size? is it 6.5? The twin sets of wires are still available, but difficult to get hold of, and pricey. You are more likely to find them in the UK. I think what you are looking for is a set of wires called 'flobeam wires'. Be warned though, I've seen them on ebay for £40 a set.

Tama Superstar, 22, 22, 16, 14, 13 Desert Burst
Premier Genista, 22, 16, 13, 12 Black Lacquer
Premier Genista, 20, 14, 10 and snare Black Lacquer
Premier Resonator 22, 16, 14, 13 poly creme/black
Zickos 22, 16, 14, 13, clear acrylic and snare
Posted on 15 years ago
#3
Posts: 526 Threads: 60

From brody

Lovely snare, and becoming more and more collectible, too. it's a parallel flo beam mechanism which was evident in Premier 2000 models and others, but your snare looks deeper. Premier did make piccolo equivalents to the 2000, so I'd guess this is a slightly rarer size? is it 6.5? The twin sets of wires are still available, but difficult to get hold of, and pricey. You are more likely to find them in the UK. I think what you are looking for is a set of wires called 'flobeam wires'. Be warned though, I've seen them on ebay for £40 a set.

Thanks for the info!

Yes, it's a 6.5". The Premier catalogs show that they made a 6.5x14" snare in the 2000 series -- apparently it was called the Premier 2003.

As for the cost of the wires -- yikes! £40 is a bit steep for me. But I did some digging, and it looks like Puresound makes replica wires to fit the 2000 series drums. They're not cheap, at about $30 for a set, but I think I'll pick them up.

Any thoughts on what my drum is worth?

Thanks again!

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 15 years ago
#4
Posts: 513 Threads: 102

Yes, puresound is the way to go - I don't think you'd notice much difference in the sound, if any. A lot of players use them. Premier 2000's are fetching good money on Ebay at the moment, I've seen them go for £100-£200 in good condition. There's a 2000 on at the moment. It has 7 days to go and is already at £79. I'm not sure if 2003's are rarer or not, but the market, on Ebay at least, seems to be going mad for vintage Premier snares these days.

I'm no expert on value, but I'd say if you were to sell, I'm sure your snare would go if you started at £99.00, maybe a lot more, depending on demand. I'd say there are fewer 2003's around, as it was a size that fewer people used, so production was likely not as high.

By the way - those lugs and slotted rods would rule out 80's - I'd say this was early 70's.

Tama Superstar, 22, 22, 16, 14, 13 Desert Burst
Premier Genista, 22, 16, 13, 12 Black Lacquer
Premier Genista, 20, 14, 10 and snare Black Lacquer
Premier Resonator 22, 16, 14, 13 poly creme/black
Zickos 22, 16, 14, 13, clear acrylic and snare
Posted on 15 years ago
#5
Posts: 526 Threads: 60

Many thanks!

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 15 years ago
#6
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Well made shells and hardware and the crappiest throwoff they ever came out with, the good ole flowbeam>WTF were they thinking!!! this will be in your future, the piece of crap will get to where it will not let you keep the snare tight against the bottom head!! just remember I warned you also the extra holes are where the tone control was + 1 extra one,!!Bump!!! i have the very same drum in wood, and have seen quite a few of these 2000 models! in fact there is another thread already on the flowbeam here on the forum!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 15 years ago
#7
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