Buy Advice...

[jofizzm]

Local pawn shop has a 72-76 blue and olive badge Ludwig Acrolite for $70. Hoops have (what I hope is just) surface rust, heads and snare wires are shot. Reso head may very well be from the 70s.

I may try to talk them down to $50. But $50+$30 (Heads)+$20 (Wires) =$100ish plus time. Would you do it?

[Skulmoski]

Sounds like a fair price rather than a steal. Witn new heads and top quality snare wires, plus proper tuning, an acrolite can really sing.

GJs

[wildbill]

Originally Posted by jofizzm

.... Would you do it?

Re-hab projects are always kind of iffy. It boils down to if the end result is worth it to you in time and money. I'm OK with my snares, so I probably wouldn't do it.

I like to see people care about stuff enough to take care of it. It's even better when someone repairs someone else's damage.
But go to enough pawn/re-sale shops and you'll start to think most people just don't have any respect for their gear.

[BGH]

It depends on the condition of the shell and lugs. Just about any older snare you buy is going to need heads to your liking, so that's no biggie. Wires are also no big issue. Your labor is minimal; you would expect to have to do some work to an older snare and you're not talking about a restoration project.

If the shell, lugs, throw, butt are in good shape and the rust on the hoops is minimal, I'd say go for it at $50-$60. If all that isn't the case, take a pass. There are plenty of those floating around for sale.