Right place, right time = lucky me

[TenPastTen]

Well, I've come across a unique situation. At my local shop, I try to stop in at least once every three weeks, just to shoot the stuff or at least browse around the gear. I noticed on the counter where the snares share space with various special order items, there was a 5.5 x 10 Mapex Phosphor Bronze snare from their discontinued Precious Metals series. It was complete with Power Hoops and split lugs in their black nickel finish. Ever so intrepid, I asked what's the deal. My guy said it was a repair order (replaced all lugs) that they just put up near the counter. I took a cursory look at it and was impressed. I very tongue-in-cheek said that if it went unclaimed, that i would buy it. That was about 3 months ago.

Just yesterday, as soon as I walk in, my guy asks me if I want to buy that snare. Puzzled but curious I ask why now? He said the shop owner had exhausted his efforts to have the original owner of the drum pick it up and wanted it "out of his sight."

Now, the devil on my shoulder said, "Awesome, let's get this sucker's drum." While the angel on my other shoulder said, "Hey, put yourself in his shoes. Would you want someone to snipe your gear from you?"

So I said no, give the guy another chance to get his drum back. To which the shop owner said, "Too late. We've called him twice a month for TWO YEARS since his drum has been repaired. We even offered to drive it to him COD, and he passed. So I want it gone!"

**cue funeral music for the angel on my shoulder**

So, I settled the tab for the cost of the repair...














...and $60 later this little jewel came home with me! It pops like Carlton Fisk's knees, has more crack than Joe the Plumber, and more ring than Mr. T. It's a perfect side snare. I just can't wait 'till the Aquarian heads I ordered come in, and then it will be official.

[Tidge]

No way you got that for $60. It's the most gorgeous side snare I've ever seen. Great buy!

[rmandelbaum]

Score!

Very cool, enjoy

[drumhead61]

LUCKY YOU IS RIGHT!!!! CHA-CHINGGGGG!!!!!! What a beauty...you scored BIG time for a price like that...NO GIGGGIN WAY!!! Congrats on that!

[stasz]

Oh man!!! That's awesome. I love these stories. Looks like a handy little popcorn snare. I don't think there's anyway you could not enjoy that baby for $60!!!

[yjb63]

I wonder what happened to the guy who got it repaired.

But $60 sure is a deal, and its a beautiful snare.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

He shoots and scores!!!!! Man what a find. Two years is amazing.
Nice little side snare there.

[Tom Sawyer]

You guys over there get the sickest deals all the time...Congrats!

[rjsteinbach]

It pops like a Carlton Fisk's knees

haha I love it, catcher similes

[Pass.of.E.r.a.]

hey its me, that guy who's snare you bought, can i have it back?

[baz]

...great score Ten.

Kind of makes me want to open a drum repair shop.

Barry

[Wavelength]

Man, the snare wasn't the only thing the guy should get fixed...

[drumhead61]

Man, the snare wasn't the only thing the guy should get fixed...

That is for sure, he really must of hit a rough patch in life to let one go like that...poor sap!

[TheMarkV]

oh wow. great find.
the rare find deals are always the sweetest.
hopefully some of your luck will find its way to the rest of us haha

[Ainulindale]

What an awsome find, that is one of the sexiest damn drums i have ever set eyes upon, BEAUTY!!!
Congrats man, enjoy!

[MagnZ]

Beatiful drum. Ive got one myself only in chrome hardware. Sounds great :)

[harryconway]

A killer score. The more doors you knock on, the more doors might open. The store owner treated you "really right" there. He could have sold that drum for a lot more, and you'd have been none the wiser. So no doubt, he values you, as a customer.

[trkdrmr]

1. That is just awesome! Great snare, insultingly low price.

2. You have strung togeather the 3 greatest metaphors that I have read this month.

"It pops like Carlton Fisk's knees, has more crack than Joe the Plumber, and more ring than Mr. T. It's a perfect side snare"

I don't think Modern Drummer has described a snare drum that way before.

[TenPastTen]

Thanks to all for the nice words. I really lucked out on this deal. I'll update pics with the proper heads and setup with its brethren.

A killer score. The more doors you knock on, the more doors might open. The store owner treated you "really right" there. He could have sold that drum for a lot more, and you'd have been none the wiser. So no doubt, he values you, as a customer.

Good instincts Mr. Conway. I have built a rather good rapport with the staff there (for instance, I donated to them a lifesize Dr. Evil stand up that has motion activated movie quotes - a staff favorite). To the shop owner's credit, it was clear he wasn't looking to profit from the original drum owner's misfortunes; he was primarily interested in recouping his money he paid for parts and to the repairman for the work done two years ago.

And, as someone once said, "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."

1. That is just awesome! Great snare, insultingly low price.

2. You have strung togeather the 3 greatest metaphors that I have read this month.

"It pops like Carlton Fisk's knees, has more crack than Joe the Plumber, and more ring than Mr. T. It's a perfect side snare"

I don't think Modern Drummer has described a snare drum that way before.

Thanks for the acknowledgement. I took a little pride in those myself...:-)

[TenPastTen]

Refreshing the thread with some new pics. I'm still shaking my head at the "price." Best deal I've ever had by a mile.

[eddiehimself]

Nice drum. I must say though i do think that bearing edge looks a little weird with the first head on.

[Infernal Valkyrie]

The only thing better than that snare was the line: "more rings than Mr. T."
man, I pity yo' ears FOO'. jk man haha sweet drum!


I agree with Eddie about it looking weird. There's one lug where the bearing edge looks really rough.
Unless you have the batter head on without any tension. That might be the case because it changes in every pic (only with the ebony head on).

[TenPastTen]

Nice drum. I must say though i do think that bearing edge looks a little weird with the first head on.

The only thing better than that snare was the line: "more rings than Mr. T."
man, I pity yo' ears FOO'. jk man haha sweet drum!


I agree with Eddie about it looking weird. There's one lug where the bearing edge looks really rough.
Unless you have the batter head on without any tension. That might be the case because it changes in every pic (only with the ebony head on).

I see what you're referencing with the ebony head, but can't see/feel any noticable variances in person. i took off my Aquarian batter head and checked the bearing edge first hand and it checked out smooth, even, and in-round. I dunno, maybe it's just some weird reflection or strait up uneven tension on the head. Those were from a while back and I replaced the heads soon after.

Anyhow, thanks for the comments fellas. Good looking out.

[diosdude]

hmmmm.. i'll give you 65 for it... okay 70, 75?