Edgware B+H snare info??

[IsaacHeath]

Hello, I am new to this site and I already posted this in the main VINTAGE DRUM section. I should have posted it in the non-USA section. Here it is.


What the heck is this thing? It sounds and looks great but I can't find much of anything online about Edgware or B+H. Any info or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/Dukermoonebay/100_3454.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/Dukermoonebay/100_3493.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/Dukermoonebay/100_3520.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/Dukermoonebay/100_3479.jpg
More photos in the post below (only allowed 4 pics).


Serial # 88172... MADE IN ENGLAND stamped inside... Die Cast Rims... SONAR style lugs... 4 inches deep

Has any one seen any other Edgware drums? Was this made by Sonar? What is the wood? Does this look like the original hardware (strainer, butt end et..)? What were the years Edgware or B+H were around? Year of this drum?

Thank you again for your time.

Isaac

[IsaacHeath]

Here are the other pictures...
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/Dukermoonebay/100_3519.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/Dukermoonebay/100_3487.jpg

[FoamieOmie]

Looks alot like a Sonor "Made in Western Germany" Tear Drop lug snare. I have one that I'm repairing that is red sparkle with the 16 off set lugs. Check out www.sonormuseum.com and on the identify you drums link there is a pic of one with the mallet badge. Maybe just an english knock off of the Sonor? Definately a 60s drum......I think.

Todd

[IsaacHeath]

Thank you man.

[O-Lugs]

Could it be related to "Boosey and Hawkes" ("B & H")??

I did a quick search and found this pdf:

http://www.classicdrummer.com/archives/vdmarchives/2005archives/SirAlanBuckley14.pdf

I didn't have time to look at it. I have to run. Good luck!

[IsaacHeath]

Good call O-Lugs. There are a couple of snares that look very similar to my drum in that catalog. Still wish I could find something about Edgware. Maybe Edgware is the model? Who knows. Thanks again for your time.

[Webmaster]

Read This. (http://www.vintagesnaredrums.com/beverley_history.html)

It will shed some light on the topic.

Yes, I have a Boosey & Hawks Military drum catalog and I believe some
other literature yet to be scanned to the web site.

David

[O-Lugs]

Try this British drum discussion forum...I found a thread with a reference to "Edgeware". You might consider joining up tere and asking around. Anyway...Here is teh link:

http://www.mikedolbear.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=30048&SearchTerms=Edgeware

[O-Lugs]

If you can un-zip a zip file, then here you go!...

http://www.drumarchive.com/Edgware/

This fellow, Eddie Ryan, used to work at the Edgeware factory. Maybe you could drop him an email and he could fill you in!

http://www.eddieryancustomdrums.co.uk/

[IsaacHeath]

Mighty O-Lugs, you are very awesome my friend, thank you for your help.

Isaac

[O-Lugs]

Sure thing! I just realized it's "Edgware" and not "EdgEware" as I was spelling it. electricit

[the_drum_dad]

Agree with all said. Definitely not a Sonor if made in England. Sonor's were beech which is darker in color than what your pic shows. I'm thinking maybe poplar??? Nice drum.

[Antipodes]

And should anybody in Europe ever want any refinishing Eddie Ryan does an awesome job - re-finished a beaten up Camco kit I had in the mid-80s. Best wood lacquer job I've ever seen.

D

[mikeellis]

Edgware were the 'budget' version of Ajax. Edgware were Birch shells with Beech cupport rings, Ajax were all birch, otherwise they were identical. Drop a mail to Eddie Ryan, he made them so he'll have all the answers.

[wayne]

The Edgeware drum is as professional as any imo.You have a lovely drum there.I had a WMP and foolishly "traded" it:(

[Justin]

Hi Isaac

Did you find info on this snare?

I have one too, in fact I have a kit that needs to be restored but the Snare is in great shape and I like you am trying to find out more about the drums, company and history.

Justinband2

[IsaacHeath]

Yes! The info that O-lugs left on this post helps. Check it out.

I still haven't seen another B+H EdgeWare in person. I would love to see pics of your set and snare. What is the color???

Isaac

[Jaye]

English made birch shelled and the t-rods look like the slotted Premier-esque ones. Hardware looks nice and substantial.

dang...I bet it's a very GOOD snare drum.....

[Dave Morello]

Hey

I own a whole 4 pc kit, in blue w gold sparkle. 20" kick, 14" snare (like yours)12" kick mounted tom and 16" free standing floor tom. All concert toms, with no bottom heads. They all have same badge and snare strainer. I have been trying to find out more about these drums for some time.... Is great to see your photo !! What I do know is this..... Edgware is a city in England where they were made. Boosey and Hawkes are a woodwind manufacturer that put out a limited edition of Drum kits in 1954 and 1955, called Edgware. The hardware is ALL origional die-cast Premier, thats why it is not rusted out. I have the origional Premier kick pedal as well. There were only a handful of drum and drum hardware manufacturers around and Premier was the biggie at the time. B&H most likely comissioned Premier to build the kit for them and badge it as Edgware B&H. From my research, there were many companies that did this. Rogers etc etc.... Thats pretty much all I know. I do know that it sounds great... I'll see if i can get some photos up... cool feature of kit is that it has a kick mounted telescopic cymbal boom stand. Cheers Dave

[robmoth]

Hi,

I also have an edgware b&h snare drum, similar to yours, i will try and get some pictures up asap.

[mike s]

i have a statford besson snare thats exactly the same, blue pearl finish , I cant really get much of a sound out of it.

[brody]

Lovely snare!
I have a couple of very similar snares - both Ajax. Interesting because earlier on this thread I found out that edgeware was the budget Ajax - never new that! Anyway, I have A BMP that's identical hardware-wise and a 14" Piccolo. I use the piccolo regularly and it's awesome, but I've not managed to get the standard size one to sound good. I guess I need to mess with the tension and wires etc. How have you got yours tuned?

[Nutbox]

Hi Isaac, as everyone has said Edgware was a budget Ajax brand. In practice though the drums often had the same shells as the more expensive lines, Ajax and English Rogers for example. The difference was often the hardware. Less lugs per drum for example. That serial number 88*** would date your drum to around October '64 - all Ajax'a drums shared the same serial number sequence. The wrap as you would guess is Red Pearl. I have a later Ajax Nu-Sound in that wrap that I have collected most of the parts to refurb. now.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/nutbox/Ajax/DSCN1914.jpg

[Nutbox]

Just reread this thread. To clarify, B&H were and still are a noted woodwind/brass instument manufacturer here in the UK. Ajax was their drum manufacturing arm from 1927.

During the 60s Ajax's drums were made at B&H's "Sonourous Works", Deansbrook Road, Edgware, North London.
The Ajax range consisted of the top line Ajax and English Rogers (61-67ish) - my particular interest.
Edgware drums introduced in 1956 as the budget range.
Stratford by Besson were also made by Ajax. Besson was another of B&H's companies which was used to market English Rogers. I don't know were Stratford drums fitted in quality terms but they had the same shells again.

All the drums shared the same wraps in the 60s with a few exceptions. Red and Blue Sparkle and Red, Blue, White and Black Pearl were the most common and some others later on.

It is interesting what Dave Morello says about the hardware being Premier, not heard that before. Ajax and Premier both used die cast hoops in the period in question but they were of a different profile. Not saying Dave is wrong but would like to know more. Ajax and Premier certainly collaborated later on but not heard of that at this period.

Anyone wanting to know more of the Ajax drum company can buy "A brief history of Ajax drums" from Dave Seville (about ten A4 photocopied pages) email toroloco@tiscali.co.uk who runs the "Old Drummers Club" newsletter.