Though I know listed price is no indication of real value, I did come across a decent Festival 8-lug on Ebay....price seems pretty high:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-60s-Slingerland-Snare-Drum-/130526088600?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item1e63f60d98

Also, based on the Slingerland serial number chart, it is listed incorrectly as a '60's snare. The s/n is 183775 (or 6), which would put it in the 1975-76 or so time period.

I'm curious what the estimated value of a Festival snare is these days. In the early 70's, they were selling new for around $90.

Also, its hard for me to tell, but any guess when Slingerland moved from COB to COS on the Festivals? Hard to tell from the catalog descriptions....1971 was the last year that the catalog actually mentions chrome over brass shell. After that, there is no mention of the shell composition. So, does that mean that it was changed to steel once it was no longer mentioned?

Looks like the Festivals go for $150 or less on ebay recently (at least thats what I think I remember :)).

The Rob Cook Slingerland book notes that the festivals were COB from '64-'72, and then were steel shelled from 73-79.

You've got me intrigued. Let me know how it sounds when you get it!

James

Thanks for the info. Based on its 86000 sn, I place this one somewhere between 70 and '71...that would make it COB.

I did see one on Ebay yesterday that was a very low number, but the shell was pretty beat and nothing you could do to fix it short of replacing.

I'm looking forward to seeing in person what I actually picked up!Excited

So, I picked up the Festival snare. Its in pretty rough condition Eye Ball, but looks like it might clean up pretty well. Shell doesn't appear to have any noticeable dents or scratches, but might have some pitting. Not going to know until I take it apart. It is complete and looks to be original except for the snare head (Remo). Can't tell about the batter head, but its so beat on that it wouldn't make any difference if it was original Slingerland.

In different post, trying to ID the snare to see if it might be original Slingy.

Rapid strainer and butt plate look complete and in pretty good, though grimey/dirty. Looking closer at the hoops, they seem to be pretty nice.

I wasn't keen on my '70 Aluminum 8-lug, so I just sold it.

If this Festival cleans up okay and sounds good (opinion here is shell is basically the same as the Sound King, probably substitute in place of my mint Dyna, so the kids don't damage the Dyna.Keep on Pl

I was just comparing the sound of the Festival to the Dyna and the Festival sounded much more "open", the way I would expect a COB snare to sound. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the head on the Dyna being a coated batter and possibly heavier two-ply. No idea what is on the festival!

To be continued.....

Thanks all for the help!Cool1