PM sent regarding the snare. Thanks

Those are quite rare as they were made at the end of the George Way Drum Company in 1961. I sold mine recently for $450

Is it the upside-down badge that makes it so rare?

DOH

You sold a 6 lug drum for $450? What was the finish?

Thanks

Scratch that, I got it confused with another drum I sold around the same time. It was $400. Blue/ Silver Duco.

Yes, it`s even more rare when the grommet is upside down.

It sold. Thanks so much guys.

Like this???????

These are different from many of the George Way 6-lug Studio models that you tend to see. The 1961 Studio models had:

- 4 ply Jasper shells with re-rings (earlier ones had 3 ply), so essentially the same shell as early Oaklawn.

- Tall COB double flange, double edge hoops. The best ever (IMHO). The earliest Way Studio snares had single flange hoops and clips, while later ones (both with the turret lugs and the tuxedo lugs) had the double flange, double edge hoops.

- Tuxedo lugs. The 1961 Studio model is the only George Way snare drum that has surfaced with Tuxedo lugs, which were new in the 1961 catalog. These were also used by Camco. The early Way turret lugs had a propensity to "volcano" or pull apart when the drum was tuned too high. You can crank the Tuxedo lugs without breaking them.

- A new "Wayco" throw-off designed to go with the Tuxedo lugs. The lever operates backwards, but otherwise it is an effective throw-off that looks forward to the early Oaklawn trapezoidal strainer.

- A 5.5 inch shell. This was a standard size for Way. Some very early Camco snare drums, probably using up old Way shells, were also 5.5, but most Camco snare drums were 5 inches. The 5.5 has a bit more depth.

- Six lugs. This is essentially a Camco Studio model with six lugs rather than 8. Camco never issued a six lug snare drum. There is less lug mass so there is more resonance.

So, these were drums only offered for a very short period, and with unique specifications. They have a nice, complex, open tone. Highly sensitive, and project well. I prefer these to Gretsch and Slingerland 6-luggers (I have both, and like both, but they tend to sound more restrained and do not project as well).

It is too bad more of these were not issued. Great drums.