Here's a couple pics of the prototype that I tested for JM which was an actual customer's drum, who is also a respected member of the VDF. Hello Mike! ENJOY!!!Tommyp
Well, Hello Tommy!
I didn’t want to get into this Dynasonic “clone/copy” fray because it ruffles too many feathers, and there can be no true resolution to this often controversial topic, but since Tommy P has already posted shots of my “new” Dynasonic (the Dynatone) which Joe custom made for me, and Tommy himself tested, I have to weigh in and provide a little insight.
First, a distinction must be made between “copies” and “clones”. A copy is simply a visual “double” of the original. Wrap a modern 5x14 5-ply Keller shell (with its modern super thin plies) in Dynasonic hardware and dressing and it may be an identical visual copy; however it is no more a Dynasonic than a Bentley is a Rolls-Royce just because you wrap it in a Rolls-Royce grill. It may look identical on the surface, but underneath they’re still two different animals. A clone, on the other hand, is a genetically identical organism, and Joe Montineri’s “Dynatones” are for all intents and purposes, new, modern Dynasonics. They are what actual Rogers Dynasonics would be today had Rogers not died a slow drawn-out death. Slice Joe’s shell in half and the cross section will be identical to Tommy P’s original 1967 Dyna shell sliced in half (No Tommy, I’m not recommending this proof-test:D).
No one knows more about shells, plies, and lamination than Joe, and having worked at Keller, he knows what made the Dynasonic shell unique. He explained to me that modern plies are much thinner than vintage plies and don’t use the same lamination. A modern 5-ply shell would be much thinner than the original 5-ply Dyna shell (and hence acoustically different), and to get the correct thickness of the original Dyna shell, you’d have to use a 7 or 8 ply shell, but then you’re still no closer acoustically to what the original was.. a thick 5-ply shell with 5-ply rerings. His solution was to rebuild the original 5-ply Keller shell. So in essence, his shells are modern Dynasonic shells.
Now, I have a healthy disdain (as does every other VDF member) for anyone who tries to deliberately pass off a counterfeit drum as a vintage original (OBP Jazzfests come to mind). Such individuals are cheats and deserve to be called out as such, but Joe’s intent is not to make counterfeits or clones to be passed off as originals. He selectively sells only to individuals who want a modern Dynasonic to play for its unique sound and qualities, and who will not try to resell it as an original. Any of his custom made drums aren’t cheap, and delivery on his Dynatone shell takes a long time (member Mark “idrum4fun” will confirm), but these are exceptionally made, fine instruments worth the expense and the wait. You buy these to play, not display. I will never resell, trade, or pass on this instrument to anyone. If my wife honors my wishes (and $100 says she won’t), this drum will be buried with me with a pair of Vic Firth TG25’s in my hand and a smile on my face.
So rest assured that Joe’s Dynatone is not a cheap “kit car” masquerading as the original, nor is it a counterfeit trying to pass itself off as a vintage drum. It is simply a perfect remanufacturing of unique product no longer available. [FONT="Arial"]VioIin[/FONT] makers have been doing this since the 18th Century and no one gets ruffled.
Hope I’ve allayed any concerns, and let’s get back to talking about real vintage drums.
Mike
