Sonor swinger - worth a punt?
- Thread starter KenDoken
- Start date
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- Tags
- 70s sonor drums vintage
Frank Godiva
Active Member
Does anyone have experience with these kits?
Yes
Do they have plastic lugs?
Yes
If so, are the lugs readily replacable with metal lugs?
Yes, but Teardrop lugs may not be cheap.
Do they weigh a ton?
No
Imho the plastic lug was ahead of its time. The materials used were not robust. It would be interesting to see what tough polymer they could 3D print today along the lines of low mass light weight lugs
the Swingers were low budget drums made from 6plies or less of beech and that they had plastic lugs. The lug design was a flattering copy of the Ludwig Large Classic style. Sold mostly in the EU
Catalog links
Yes
Do they have plastic lugs?
Yes
If so, are the lugs readily replacable with metal lugs?
Yes, but Teardrop lugs may not be cheap.
Do they weigh a ton?
No
Imho the plastic lug was ahead of its time. The materials used were not robust. It would be interesting to see what tough polymer they could 3D print today along the lines of low mass light weight lugs
the Swingers were low budget drums made from 6plies or less of beech and that they had plastic lugs. The lug design was a flattering copy of the Ludwig Large Classic style. Sold mostly in the EU
Catalog links
KenDoken
Junior Member
Thanks Frank
I have heard ot said the shells are the same as the phonics. Is this the case or are they thinner?
I guess im trying to get the phonic sound and a nice looking kit on the cheap. The plastic lug thing may be a deal breaker, they are 48mm (1⅞) hole spacing i think
Frank Godiva
Active Member
Not many folks even in the EU do many Swinger restorations. A Teardrop or Champion 6ply (not Super Champs which are 9 ply just like Phonics) will give you the same sound with more robust metal fittings
Phonics are 9 ply beech at 9mm and with a layer of veneer or 2 you can add to those numbers
Swinger is 6 ply 6mm or less.
Swingers are indeed thinner then Phonics
DutchDrummersDreams
Platinum Member
Apologies for the micro hijack.
Do you know if this is a phonic, or a Performer 18x14 @Frank Godiva ?
Do you know if this is a phonic, or a Performer 18x14 @Frank Godiva ?
toddbishop
Platinum Member
Looks like a Phonic to me, I've got one with a black wrap. Great 18" drum.
DutchDrummersDreams
Platinum Member
I never knew Performer series existed.
Sonor Performer 12” tom drum Tornado Red lacquer 7mm medium Beech drum Shell | Reverb
For sale is a nice Sonor 12” diameter by 10” deep tom.Performer series, 7mm medium beech shell with rounded over bearing edges. This is confirmed to be a beech shell drum not poplar. Tornado Red lacquer (like the Signature series) not a wrap!The tom shows nicks and wear as pictured. A great sound...
reverb.com
Frank Godiva
Active Member
The Performer only came in 22” bass drum. Look on the bottom; should be a silver Phonic badge
DutchDrummersDreams
Platinum Member
It looks like the badge was removed. It does have a quality control check stamp inside.
Frank Godiva
Active Member
That’s a great shot of what beech grain looks like