Really then why all the post then from you on this thread ?? That is why you have earned the name Joke Velez.

Thanks for your help guys, lol. I think I will go with a p85 for this project since I plan on flipping it anyway. If I find a P83 at a good price I would go with it, but a brand new P85 for 25 bucks sounds good to me.

So....back to strainers. I have said this before but I have replaced all my P-83's and P-85's with P-86's. Unless I wanted a period correct drum I personnialy would not buy a P-83. My reasoning is simply that all the little holes at the bottom of the strainer serve no purpose and have not for decades. I have no idea when last snare with individual snare strands was manufactured but my assumption would be the 1960's. With a P-83 your are limited to using cordage for installing your snares. I personally find ribbon to be much easier to deal with and it generally works better.

Both P-83s and 85s occasionally (or often) suffer the frustrating "two handed engagement method" where one has to pull up on the tension knob with one hand while engaging the snares with the other. I find that quite frustrating. Hopefully someone here can explain how to fix that.

The P86 is pretty functional and fits the same hole pattern as the other strainers. It is not a particularly attractive strainer as aesthetics go, but neither are the other two. I just find that it works better. (Or at least until the little swivel screws fall out.)

I have no idea if either are made of brass, steel, copper, cubic zirconia or corian. I just know those multiple holes in the bottom of a P83 strainer have long since become useless and have served to confuse countless drummers over the past four decades who always wondered which two were the "right" holes.

Thanks Scott, always a detailed response from you. I will have to look int the 86, heck I didnt know they made them, lol.

The strainer is going on a blue and olive badge marching shell that Billnvick gave me to "play around with". Last summer I bought some shells from Bill with the intention of wrapping with veneer and then selling them. So thats why I am tryng to keep the cost down. I just purchased 8 bowtie lugs off ebay for 20.00 and some 60's Ludwig top and bottom hoops for 27.00, both shipped. Also got 6 nickle lugs for the shell John gave me for 14.00 shipped. So, so far I have kept the cost down. I was asking about the strainers because I was worried if I use the incorrect one for that kit, would it hurt the sell? If you were looking for a good players kit and found this one with new veneer and finish on some 60's Ludwig shells but some period incorrect hardware would it turn you off or would you just not care because the drums are three ply Ludwigs and look amazing! But then again the snare shell is a 70's, I guess you guys call these, um , frankenkits, right?

It could very well end up that this turns out to be "Jeffs kit" depending on the final cost to build it. I dont mind selling it for the amount that I have in it, or even take a small loss. This is my hobbie, its OK, if it cost me a little money, most hobbies do.

Sorry for the long response.

Jeff,

That is a very good question. Every buyer will be a little different. At some point the strainer, so long as it is decent and appropriate, will probably not be a deciding factor. A P83 or 85 would probably be "appropriate" however, as stated before, I am not a huge fan. I would say get whatever is cheaper, just keep in mind that if that turns out to be an 83 then your only option for mounting would be cordage. I will say that a P86 might look as good on a drum like that.

I have a 90's something bronze Ludwig snare. The previous owner removed the crappy strainer that was on it and replaced it with a P-86. I think it looks good. It also funtions very well.

Gerald - I did the same thing with my 5"x14" hammered bronze! I swapped out the P-85 for a P-86. I think the 'flip-switch' design is easier to use and more reliable than any of the others.

Jeff- Look at these photos of the P-86 -before- you buy one sight unseen.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/290903859248?lpid=82

It's a great strainer, but it's highly stylized and will give your drum a 'look'. As you can see, it has a real 'antique' look to it. The strainers look good and work very well. It wouldn't be a bad choice for you, just know that it has a definite 'style' that is way different from the others.

John

Ya, I checked them out after Scott had mentioned it. They are cool looking, still a little pricey though. But if Scott says they are good ones, then they are good ones!