ABOUT ME : A tiny footprint with considerable thump. Simply put I do not buy much. And the focus of what I do buy falls mainly within the 1960's, sometimes delving further into the past. And then I only buy the best and what I think can be transformed into something far better than its present state. I love winding the clock backwards as much as possible which means fully detailing without ever modifying. The considerable time and effort from dismantling to cleaning to polishing to prepping and putting everything back together again can be daunting. But when all's said and done and another cap gets flicked off the Guinness, well, the toils 100% worth it.

Speaking of not getting any better ... of the handful of vintage drums and guitars available in my shop, some of which you are simply not going to be able to find a commensurate instrument anywhere else. Except, maybe, in a museum or the finest private collections.

A word about pricing ... well, many a drummer considers a drum a tool merely to make noise. Like a wooden spoon whacking a pot and its lid are tools to turn mothers manic. Just pop your head into a forum and listen to the screaming when truly rare and/or exceptional drums hit the market. Outrage! you'll hear. Blasphemy! the cry. Often (I hear) my shop comes up for pitchforking.

But a funny thing happens when walking away from the forum : that little noisemaker shows up SOLD! And then the roar that was falls silent when the realization hits that this *&^Y#&()&^!! actually sold that thing the psuedo-experts said would only go for a tenth of list.

I know of no other specialized group who craps in the water and then cries about having to swim in it than a pool full of drummers. Yu-Gi-Oh! masters don't do it. Barbie aficionados wouldn't dream of it. Guitarists rarely stoop. Just look up anything that people collect and what you'll find is that the really good stuff goes for crazy prices. But ask one of these drummers if a drum's collectible and they'll poke your eye out with a stick.

And now a little something about this listing ...

Ludwig Green Sparkle 5 x 14" Pre-serial Jazz Festival : NOV 26 1962

SHOWROOM CONDITION

Have to technically post as "Excellent" which should be considered the minimum. Any issues are exceedingly minor and limited to the inside of the hoops. O, snare wires have 1 or 2 slightly stretched strands, and the resonant head has 2 tape repairs covering small holes.

Wrap's unfaded. Bearing edges are clean & the drum is in the round. THE WRAP FOLLOWS THE SEAM INTO THE SCARF JOINT. Nickel over brass hardware has been cleaned & polished with Cape Cod Clothes. Hardware is in EXCELLENT condition. I'd normally polish the wrap with NOVUS 1 & 2 only there was no point as it is as good as new.

If you're looking for the finest example of a green sparkle JF this would be that snare. Did I mention that green sparkle is a rare wrap and normally when it comes up it is faded.

(ON A 1-10 SCALE) I PLACE THIS SNARE AT 9.8/10. A TEN WOULD BE FACTORY NEW WITH ZERO DEFECTS.