Sonor Phonic Plus... in a VERY unusual finish

[vexorgtr]

Ok, I got these at a local music shop where someone put them on consignment.
I think they are really cool, but I can't find much info about them.

They are 9 ply beechwood, and based on the dimensions they are Phonic Plus.
The Phonic Plus Kits I've seen on price lists from the era (80-85) don't list these sizes sold together as a kit. The kick is a 24x18, toms are 12x12, 14x14 and 15x15.

What about that finish!!??!?! on a German Drum?? Crazy huh? It's aged a bit as the white stripe now shows some nice yellowing. I couldn't find much evidence that it was an aftermarket finish, or where it came from. Thinking it was a wrap, I checked for seams, and didn't find one, and I can't find a single bubble that would indicate a wrap... so I'm assuming it's a sprayed on finish.

Regardless, they are really cool drums, and they sound great. The original hardware is the BD tom and cymbal mounts and the tom stand. Ignore the snare stand, as it is just there for setup.. and isn't original Sonor.

I keep trying to find out more stuff about these, but I keep hitting dead ends.. I'm planning to post this on SonorMuseum next to see if there's any more info on them. They are built very tough, sound very good, and I'm very glad at the deal I got on them. They will make a nice "road kit" as I don't wish to cart my recording set all around to shows.

Can anyone shine some light on these??

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af10/vexorgtr/DCP_1345.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af10/vexorgtr/DCP_1346.jpg


http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af10/vexorgtr/DCP_1348.jpg

[Ralf]

Hi,

nice finish, indeed.
But (... excuse me ....) ugly sizes of the toms.
Huuh - I really don't like square (or similar) sizes at any toms (but, on the other side, also not the neutered 'hyper style' on the actual TAMAs). Vintage sizes are others to me.
If even this bass drum has 24", then you have to play that rack tom like being in the 2nd floor, right?

My best guess, too, would have been to contact the Sonormuseum now.
It really seems to be the original finish, as even the drum throne is fitting.

Again, nice and obviously very rare find.

Ralf

[teverson-sr]

That looks like a finish contracted for a show,like NAMM,or even a touring band.More likely a display model.And I LIKE those dimensions-those guys must CRANK!

[latzanimal]

The snare's lugs are not Phonic. I'd check the shell. The lugs look more modern, Force series.

Otherwise a cool kit...

[jonnistix]

Nice looking set of drums! I have a couple of things to say...First off, that is a double tom holder...wonder wath the other one was 10x10, 13x13....interesting.
Now to the apolitical sector. We, as Americans, and I know many members of this forum are from the international community, but that is exactly my point, as it seems the vast majority of the members are American citizens, any time we see a Red, White and Blue anything, we automatically assume it made for us. Well, this is a German drum maker, and I can think of, right off the bat, at least one country that borders Germany that has those colors for their flag, and that is France. A few other middle and eastern European countries as well have those colors in the main body of the flag, so this kit may not be built and/or painted for the American market. Don't read any type of sarcasm, or liberal or conservative bent into this, it is merely an observation. These drums could very well have been built for any number of other markets, not necessarily nor exclusively for the great shores of the big ol' USofA....

[SkyDog75]

...this is a German drum maker, and I can think of, right off the bat, at least one country that borders Germany that has those colors for their flag, and that is France.

There are three countries that border Germany whose flags are red, white, and blue: France, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. The stripe pattern would be a perfect match for the flag of the Netherlands.

[vexorgtr]

Quite a wild set eh? Sonor Museum had lots of cool price lists and catalog pictures. The BD Tom mount was factory sold as a Tom/Cymbal mount, which I have here, and it's built like a tank. I don't think there's a "missing tom" on this thing.

Also even though a 15x15 tom sounds a little odd, it was the largest Concert tom on the list for those years... any bigger and it would be a floor only... I actually prefer stand mounted toms, as my other kit sort of seen in the background has 14 and 16" on the floor rack.

I didn't assume USA for a long time. Initially, I thought that, but after a little while, I remembered France.... and kept thinking along those lines, so I'm glad someone else noticed it.

SonorMuseum's ID guide has those toms lugs (Clicking locking type) listed as standard equipment for Phonic and phonic plus 80's. and the badge matches their description precisely with the 2 non-identical badges described per drum. The snare has one of the two silver badges that matches the toms, but the shell is not the same bullet proof thickness... and with the different lugs, it makes things a little curious. Also, the phonic plus snares were a bit different on the dimensions than this one.

As far as the big drums being hard to play... I didn't find it too bad. 2nd story to play the mouted tom sounds right... I thought that too... I'm glad I'm 6ft tall, and The can throne sits high like I prefer to fit. initially, I thought it'd be the wrong height, but it's exactly the height that I keep my thrones at... and it's quite comfortable. I did a few rehearsals on this kit, as I plan to use it for a Rock Trio gig in a few weeks... Thought I'd better get used to it.

The sizes really do look strange huh... the Phonic Plus line was all like this. I bought these right quick, not having played them or anything... I'm pretty good at tuning, and I found that they sounded quite nice, and weren't the challenge I was expecting.

I'd love to know the history on these, as it's only a 30 year one... but it should be good.

Prototype maybe? special show?........ or a fun loving previous owner with a finishing booth......

[atomicmorganic]

IMHO Phonics are some of the best SOUNDING drums ever made.

[latzanimal]

Awesome Phonic kit. I think my next kit will be an old phonic unless I stumble across a massive Signature kit.....

You guys also must remember that the European and Asian countries have changed also. Former Soviet Union ring any bells.....

[Gilnar]

As for the finish... can't it be just design? Many Europeans are not as patriotic as Americans (just observation) and aren't exactly craving for drums in colors of their flag. As for the Czech Republic, it was Czechoslovakia in 80s (Peacefully split up to Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993) and it was ruled by communists, who kinda banned any larger import. Getting stuff from West was freakin' hard. So I don't think these were made for Czechoslovakia.
Maybe custom set? For a TV show? For Scorpions' clip, maybe? Excited Who knows?

[Gilnar]

Oh and I forgot---they look great, congrats, vexorgtr!

EDIT: Sorry, I kinda messed up who's drums they are, :D

[vexorgtr]

Either way, I like them quite a bit. I can't confirm the Snare... if it's even genuine, but the rest on them sure are. As drums, they are great... so I'll just be thankful for that. I wasn't buying it as an investment, as much as a kit to use.

[Ralf]

quote (Gilnar)
As for the finish... can't it be just design? Many Europeans are not as patriotic as Americans (just observation) and aren't exactly craving for drums in colors of their flag. As for the Czech Republic, it was Czechoslovakia in 80s (Peacefully split up to Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993) and it was ruled by communists, who kinda banned any larger import. Getting stuff from West was freakin' hard. So I don't think these were made for Czechoslovakia.
unquote

That's absolutely correct - you are right. I was rather astonished that such proposals came up here. ;)

My idea was that it looks similar to Premier's, who made such characteristic stripes more often (but then the upper and lower stripe in the same colour).

On tomorrow I'll contact Sonor here in Germany directly and we'll see what they will say. Today we have a vacation here.

Ralf

[vexorgtr]

I showed the pictures to a drum shop owner who restores vintage stuff. He's been a long time friend. He said he's seen that stripe finish before, but usually on USA drums. He refers to it as the "Buck Owens" finish. This set certainly peaks the curiosity of its history. Sonor being a premium drum, it's much less likely to be a dumpster picking. The shop owners and I chatted about possible scenarios for this finish to be put on Sonors, but we didn't come up with any definitive explanation. I know Ludwig did a finish like this in a wrap in the 70's. (The following photo is an example of a Ludwig that I don't own)

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/drums/52968d1205529186-show-us-your-kit-lud2.jpg

Why on a Sonor set still makes me wonder. From all the research I've done I would expect these to be in a PLAIN COLOR or a FURNITURE VENEER. Not in in a color stripe /w/ gold sparkle. We were also discussing if they were Red White and Blue and the white yellowed with age.., or the middle stripe was a light yellow or cream originally. It certainly looks to be light yellow now.

We may be onto something thinking this is a special show finish...... looking at this set of pics showing just Special Show Drums.

http://www.drumrock.com/GH_ShowArticle.asp?HID=12

[Ralf]

I am still in contact with Sonor. They promised to give me definitely a reply in this regard 'soon' ...
Will keep you updated.

Ralf

[Ralf]

Now, just before, I got the answer from Sonor:

This finish (in three stripes) was never produced at Sonor.
The brackets/lugs at bass drum and toms come from the Phonic series,
while the lugs at the snare drum are from the Force 3005 series.
So this is a motley assembled combination, maybe custom-made (but
not by Sonor).

Hope this clarifies everything!

Ralf

[vexorgtr]

I had figured as much......I got to chat with the guys from SonorMuseum.com

So it goes. It's a great sounding, great playing kit of drums... that's worth the money to me.