So I am not a drummer, just a band leader trying to get the right sound.
I just picked up a Leedy Broadway 6.5x14 from right around 1940 (2 tone black and gold ducco finish). I am told it is all original (sans heads).
My only question is, how many strands were on the original snares? That is the only thing I am curious as to if it is actually original. Everything else on the drum looks good, and I think I got it for a pretty great price.
Tell us what you have, & upload some photos. Did your snare come w/ thin coiled wires, gut, or heavy cable, (10 or 12 strands) ?
Snares are something that wear out, break, & get changed out over the years. Original snares are nice to have, but have little effect on real value unless they are the type that are especially shaped for extended strainer/ super sensitive, etc., mechanisms.
There is an album of the snare here that I just took. https://plus.google.com/photos/116423340478836902688/albums/5912780089755160001
Thank you for the help!
If you have a Broadway Parallel, I have the wires for one. Post pics!!
I have an 8x14 Broadway Parallel with black/gold duco.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE DRUMS!
Hi there, no the snares don't appear to be original, I have a Broadway in the same finish but dated 1937, one of the best sounding snares I own, fine drums
We had the opportunity to have a guest drummer on our album who was playing a 1939 broadway kit and I just dig that sound.
So I found this for $375, and also found a leedy 28" bass (currently has one calfskin head stamped radio king, so originally from a slingy).
I'm excited for our drummer to start using this stuff. I just want to make sure I'm doing it all correctly.
So was this finish used on more than one year? How do I date it to a specific year?
Leedy's usually have a date stamp inside, they ran the duco finishes for years they were cheaper than pearl wraps, I like them a lot but they aren't the most popular of finishes.
Lovely drum you have there
from your leedy badge it. is a early to mid 40's model
Thank you all for the information, I so greatly appreciate it!
We're taking off the head this afternoon to put a fiberskyn on it, so hopefully we will figure out the date on it.
I am currently playing a Leedy snare that is the same size and configuration. I love the sound of it, and I paid a lot more than you did! I really like playing a calfskin head on the batter side. Other heads work great too, but I like that it sounds the way it did when it was designed. It has a cool "wet" sound, but still cracks well with a rim shot back beat. Congrats! The rest of my setup is from that vintage also, but is from different brands.
