Without collectors like Mike Curotto we would never be able to see some of these rare gems! Thanks for the book and the passion Mike!

Also, the collector's of the rare birds probably have a lot to do with setting the market for the more common drums. If that rare Slingy snare sells for 500 bucks, what are the rest of them worth?

Why do you say that?...it's a high end, rare snare drum (only 14 known to be in existence) that very few can afford and your "thumping chest" and "Totally preposterous" comments, although it is within your right to express, shows your ignorance and a definite lack of understanding. The guys that I know who collect that type of snare drum (and I know a few) don't go around "thumping their chests" between their fellow collectors, they share photos and stories the same way that the other members here do. The last 5x14 Slingerland Black Beauty sold for 16,000.00 about 5 yrs. ago.Mike Curotto

A friend of mine has a 6.5 x 14 Slingerland Black Beauty. Would this be one of the 12-15 drums known to exist out there?

A+ on that Mike.. But i must say you are wrong on one thing..Make that 15 in existence..I got one about 25 years ago at a yard sale with a old set of M.I.J. drums.Apollo was the name of the set but the extra snare was not....Got the 6 drums/ete for 45.00....Mikey

A friend of mine has a 6.5 x 14 Slingerland Black Beauty. Would this be one of the 12-15 drums known to exist out there?

Some "collectors" don't share as much information as they "think or say" that they do. I won't say who they are, as they already know. I have experienced alot of the "who are you?" attitude from a few members here when asking a simple question about a drum, hardware etc... Then when you do get an answer to your question or have the opportunity to purchase a part you need, it has the "can you afford to buy this from me?" response and if they want to buy something from you, they want it for nothing, even though they can afford to pay what you're asking. I guess my thought is, don't parade your wares or your knowledge and then think you're "above" all of those trying to put a drum together. Some of us out here need to "scrimp and save" every dime to put one nice piece together. They pay next to nothing for something and then ask the world for it (see GREED, this gets you nowhere). So the "I'm the King of the hill" or the "look at everything I have" attitude will only come back to haunt you someday. On a more positive note: There are many more members here who would give you the shirt off there back to help you and really do some homework or legwork to help you. I've given pieces for free and have received pieces for free. Those are the ones that truly love the instrument, care about another member and not just care about what it's worth or how they look standing in front of it...

Some "collectors" don't share as much information as they "think or say" that they do. I won't say who they are, as they already know. I have experienced alot of the "who are you?" attitude from a few members here when asking a simple question about a drum, hardware etc... Then when you do get an answer to your question or have the opportunity to purchase a part you need, it has the "can you afford to buy this from me?" response and if they want to buy something from you, they want it for nothing, even though they can afford to pay what you're asking. I guess my thought is, don't parade your wares or your knowledge and then think you're "above" all of those trying to put a drum together. Some of us out here need to "scrimp and save" every dime to put one nice piece together. They pay next to nothing for something and then ask the world for it (see GREED, this gets you nowhere). So the "I'm the King of the hill" or the "look at everything I have" attitude will only come back to haunt you someday.