Pearl Sensitone Classic 2 Brass and Pearl history

[veggo32]

I just picked this up, and wanted to share a bit of info re: this snare. Pearl Sensitone Classic II brass 14 x 5, Black nickel plated with tube lugs, Mastercast hoops and 24 strand Pearl snare wires. It sounds amazing. There is no sign of wear at all.

The colour is exacty what you see. I'm just curious if anyone knows if this snare is collectible. I'm not greatly concerned about future value I'm just plain curious. I know that Pearl ran these for 4 years 2002-2005 and they weren't cheap,


A poor mans black beauty?
Pearl history timeline: 2005
http://wayback.archive.org/web/*/http://pearldrum.com[/url]

[veggo32]

bump
No one knows anything
about these?

[PeteN]

I have this exact snare but not sure if its collectible. I will say it's a great snare!

[MikeM]

I don't think it's collectible at all, tbh. Pearl still cranks out those drums and hoops, though I've never seen them together (and not with tubes either, but they're hardly unique these days).

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the Sensitone Brass snares and I used to have one (a 6.5x14 that I sold to get a Black Beauty). Wish I still had it ...

[veggo32]

PeteN I concur that its a great snare. Its been discontinued for 7 years so I guess it may take some time before its collectible if ever.

MikeM yes the diecast and tube lugs are the difference from the elite I think??
Not 100% sure about the shell thickness and what not. If its the same shell then yes slap some mastercast hoops and tube lugs and virtually you have the same snare.
One thing to note is that although I do see a lot of pearl sensitones listed and sold on ebay I don't see too many Pearl Sensitone classic ii's brass on there very often.

Furthermore, it obviously doesn't have that classic status as does the Ludwig black beauty or supraphonic it is one of those snares you have to listen to in order to appreciate its sound. Once I did I was sold. Yes I have played both of the Ludwig snares and let me tell you that the classic ii may not sound exactly like a Black beauty (although fellow drummers thought it was) but its just as good if not better in build quality and sound.
Plain and simple this snare has its unique sound which is awesome and addictive to say the least.

[larryace]

I don't think any Pearl drum is deemed collectable.

[RickP]

I owned the original version of that snare ( the black emerald brass) , it had a green hue to the nickel plating, everything else was as pictured in your pictures. I am a brass shell snare drum fan, but I never found this one to be anything special to be honest. I hate diecast hoops on metal shell snares. I found the snare to be boxy and didn't have that wide a tuning range.
I sold mine pretty quickly after I bought it. I much prefer the Pearl Sensitone Elite phosphor bronze snares with the triple flange superhoops.

[Fuo]

There's one on eBay now for $425.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pearl-SensiT...item2ec1ed90bc

[evilg99]

Originally Posted by larryace

I don't think any Pearl drum is deemed collectable.

Ouch, harsh!
Haha.
I dunno, I have a set that I would argue is collectable.
N

[MikeM]

Originally Posted by Fuo

There's one on eBay now for $425.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pearl-SensiT...item2ec1ed90bc

I'd be willing to bet it won't sell at that price. For that amount of scratch, most would just get a Black Beauty. I know I would. It also seems to me that the 5x14s are going to take longer to move.

He may eventually sell it, but I kinda doubt it. Not until he's dropped his price a couple times. I've been wrong before, though...

[RickP]

Originally Posted by evilg99

Ouch, harsh!
Haha.
I dunno, I have a set that I would argue is collectable.
N

Really? Please do tell. Post a pic please, I would love to see a collectible Pearl set.

[steverok]

Originally Posted by veggo32

Yes I have played both of the Ludwig snares and let me tell you that the classic ii may not sound exactly like a Black beauty (although fellow drummers thought it was) but its just as good if not better in build quality and sound.

Not sure how the Classic is different than the Elite Sensitone. I own both a 14x6.5 Black Beauty and a 14x6.5 Sensitone Elite, and while the Sensitone is a fine drum and well built, I do not think it is in the same league as the BB. It does the job for the reason I got it, but it does not have the warmth or presence of the BB IMO. Am I wrong ?

[evilg99]

Originally Posted by RickP

Really? Please do tell. Post a pic please, I would love to see a collectible Pearl set.

Posting a pic would be completely pointless, as it's obvious that no matter what I post, you're just waiting to crap all over it. Plus nobody really cares.

I get it, nothing but American made pre-1968 Ludwig and Gretsch kits are collectable. Right.

N

[veggo32]

In all the searching that I've done on the web about this snare you are the first person to diss this drum. Everyone has commented that its the exact opposite of boxy and has a wide tuning range

Originally Posted by RickP

I owned the original version of that snare ( the black emerald brass) , it had a green hue to the nickel plating, everything else was as pictured in your pictures. I am a brass shell snare drum fan, but I never found this one to be anything special to be honest. I hate diecast hoops on metal shell snares. I found the snare to be boxy and didn't have that wide a tuning range.
I sold mine pretty quickly after I bought it. I much prefer the Pearl Sensitone Elite phosphor bronze snares with the triple flange superhoops.