I will say you are highly unlikely to notice any difference.

I usually like to add a sarcastic note when the argument spools up, making a reference to the "huge difference in sound being the use of old growth brass in the 70's and 80's."

There are some discussion on this subject in the archives... check out the Search function for some additional info on Black Beauties...

That is correct. They just don't grow brass like they used to. :-)

Hehehe!!! Cool Dude

Hahaha!

I'll have another search around.

Cheers

Until very recently, I owned a 6.5X14 BB purchased new in 2010. A good buddy owns a 1978 6.5X14 BB. Before I sold mine, we did a direct comparison (unfortunately did not have the means to record the results). Used identical setups (Remo coated Amb batter, hazy Amb snare side, with 20-strand Puresounds on each drum) and identical tunings (verified using a DrumDial).

This is just my opinion, but the older BB had slightly more "twang" in the sound. A bit less polite sounding, if that makes sense. They both shared the classic fatness that all BBs seem to be endowed with. To my ears (admittedly very subjective), the older BB had more mojo, but they both sounded undeniably like BBs.

FWIW,

Ryan

I didn't mean to blow ya off.... just there's some good info floating around that you should access.

I guess I just have trouble trying to justify the price of the 70's/80's BB providing that much more value or "sound." I think that you would be happy with a newer model as one that is a bit older.

I would think the orignal 20's era BB's would have a difference in sound due to the shell construction/ The shell alloy may not always be consistant either and that can slightly color the sound as well (although I think you'd be hard pressed to hear the subtle difference in a few percent of tin or copper in either direction).

rculberson = I'd love to record my old (70'/80's) and new BB with the same heads and a Tune-Bot - no sweetening from the board and post up for folks...

Yes please do, Hoppy!

I would be very interested to hear the results.

Thanks,

Ryan

I have a friend who has a BB from the mid-2000s and it's a great sounding drum. I have to say it doesn't hold a candle to my 1929 BB; that's one man's opinion though. I don't think you can go wrong with a BB from any era.

Stephen

Sonically the 70's one and the current production one would be similar. The 80's era BB would sound a bit different though, since it was made using a BRONZE shell, rather than a BRASS shell. The 80's one would be a bit "woodier" sounding, you know, drier sounding?

:2Cents: