When did they stop using nickel, George? This drum is all nickel plated, so does it put it back to the early 60's? There is no date stamp inside of my drum but my shell seems to be the same. Very much like the Orange Sparkle drum but with a red stain.
At the same time ---chrome coating all of the parts started together with longer lugs, white plastic knobs, internal toms mounts--- the last generation under the TROWA brand.
George.
At the same time ---chrome coating all of the parts started together with longer lugs, white plastic knobs, internal toms mounts--- the last generation under the TROWA brand.George.
I guess the question was , George. Since Gerry's drum and my drum seem identical in all ways, except, I think his is chrome(?)---does that mean that mine goes back earlier, to the early part of this drums production( 61?)
Since Gerry's drum and my drum seem identical in all ways, except, I think his is chrome(?)
The lugs on mine are chrome, but the strainer buts look like nickel (plating is flaking off, whereas the tension lugs look almost new). To me that suggests that hardware (or at least some of it) was contracted out to specialist factories. It would explain why the strainer mechanism survived into the Tacton days.
Bearing in mind the state of the GDR economy in the '80s - plus the limitations of a planned economy - there might not be much/any NOS going around. Stockpiles of valuable metal parts? Seems unlikely, but who knows.
Wouldn't surprise me if they used leftover snare wires in Trabants to make the engines sound more powerful.
[IMG]http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/editorial_images/non_imported/trabant_small.jpg[/IMG]
I guess the question was , George. Since Gerry's drum and my drum seem identical in all ways, except, I think his is chrome(?)---does that mean that mine goes back earlier, to the early part of this drums production( 61?)
Yes, yes, Phil, you're right, I mean the same --since the early 60's to mid 60's.
George.
The lugs on mine are chrome, but the strainer buts look like nickel (plating is flaking off, whereas the tension lugs look almost new). To me that suggests that hardware (or at least some of it) was contracted out to specialist factories. It would explain why the strainer mechanism survived into the Tacton days. Bearing in mind the state of the GDR economy in the '80s - plus the limitations of a planned economy - there might not be much/any NOS going around. Stockpiles of valuable metal parts? Seems unlikely, but who knows. Wouldn't surprise me if they used leftover snare wires in Trabants to make the engines sound more powerful.[IMG]http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/editorial_images/non_imported/trabant_small.jpg[/IMG]
It is possible. I have heard that the Rimmel foundry( developed state of the art out of the proceeds of a sweepstakes), was the maker of many parts for many German drum companies, as well as in the Eastern Bloc. The Trowa throwoff is a sane mechanism and works well, mostly, so why change it and after a while they would be cheap.
The only issue, I have found is the set screws in the cam----they sometimes strip.
Regarding the material crisis. For sure it was there----Tacton started using the very same fibreboard, that Trabants were made out of for shells( lower end for sure). I have an entire 5 piece kit out of this material. They are surprisingly strong and sound really good. It's kind of like ,what I would call masonite but the hardware is good.
My comment about the wires was really related to what would have been around in the early '90,s at the time of reunification. There must have been some spares in shops and as the populace threw the East German stuff on the fire, in favour of "better" western goods , the demand would have dropped off. There was a lengthy period when , nothing related to East Germany would do and a lot got thrown in the rubbish. Now, the better and more artfully crafted goods are becoming collectible and trendy. With respect to musical instruments, it has to be considered that in south western East Germany,right against the Czech border, in the area of Markneukirchen, the single largest concentration in the world of master luthiers and musical instrument artisans, existed and probably still exists. They may have been short on materials but they certainly knew what to do with what they had, which is a lot different than having lots of materials and not having a clue , what to do with them.
With respect to musical instruments, it has to be considered that in south western East Germany,right against the Czech border, in the area of Markneukirchen, the single largest concentration in the world of master luthiers and musical instrument artisans, existed and probably still exists. They may have been short on materials but they certainly knew what to do with what they had, which is a lot different than having lots of materials and not having a clue , what to do with them.
No argument from me. A lot of people forget that the '60s was a boom time not just for the West, but also for the GDR and other European communist countries. Subsequently, a lot of eastern-block stuff made during that period can be good quality. It's a pity that all those craftsmen were hampered in later decades as shortages kicked in.
With respect to musical instruments, it has to be considered that in south western East Germany,right against the Czech border, in the area of Markneukirchen, the single largest concentration in the world of master luthiers and musical instrument artisans, existed and probably still exists.
Very sadly there today... The biggest and famous musical factory - legendary "Musima" is falling down now --- the market is full as ocean of cheap and not crappy japanese, taiwanese and chinese instruments...
So, about Trabant external body panels material --- it's not the same as Tacton shells --- it's a very strong compound consisted from textile noils with phenolic resin. Every family have had a Traby's roof panel ---- to drag manure between vegetable beds
George.
Great posts! I really enjoyed reading them all. I stayed in East side of Berlin in 1995 at the Maritim Hotel, on a tour with America. Amazing place. Had an underground marble swimming pool. Just like any dictatorship - the people do the work and the bureaucrats keep the money . . . Great looking drums.
Very sadly there today... The biggest and famous musical factory - legendary "Musima" is falling down now --- the market is full as ocean of cheap and not crappy japanese, taiwanese and chinese instruments...So, about Trabant external body panels material --- it's not the same as Tacton shells --- it's a very strong compound consisted from textile noils with phenolic resin. Every family have had a Traby's roof panel ---- to drag manure between vegetable bedsGeorge.
That's what I use Japanese ride cymbals for! ---amazing small world!
The story (and I emphasize that this was only a story) going round in the UK after reunification was that the plastic that Trabants were made from doesn't bio-degrade...or very little. So they'll possibly outlive the pyramids...
