I for one enjoy "all" the comments.....warts-n-all.

I've seen my drum here going from a couple hunderd to a million haha.

I did buy it for $219. I thought it was a steal at that price and could not believe I won the auction at the time

I tacked on my shipping expense ($40) and the new calfhide heads. I bought high quility American White batter & Slunk reso at around $60 each (untucked to fit 16" drum) + shipping. I think everything washed out to around $400 into the drum so far.

When I see the one at GC priced at $999 I think mine is a great deal a $4-500. It is such a cool drum.

The tiny claws are all hand made and everything on the drum works as it should. The snares are in beautiful condition. There is even has one of those leg rests to use it for marching (not in my photos). I took it off to use it in the snare basket.

I may get a pro leathersmith to remake the leather handle on the PacMan case. The case is functional but has some ware - the leather strap is partially missing.

I'm using it now so it's not for sale at this time.

Thanks for your comments.

Gary, check this for all the money in YOUR bank....

http://www.drumfactorydirect.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=calf

Not all pretty and bleached, but for an average of less than 20 on all but the bass sized heads, reso and slunks could be any old color as far as I'm concerned. And for the batter on the bass as well. Of course, there is the thickness to deal with and understand which works best for drumset as I suspect Matt is selling most of these to hand drummers. e also has some goat hides on there somewhere.

I might have to give this a try on my WMP kit just so I can say I tried it and they sounded _______.

Are you referring to my drum in your comment here or one like my drum?

Sorry for the late reply - I was looking at some information on Wilson Bros. Drums and got here and re-read this post.

I bought my drum in May of 2010. I paid $230 before shipping and tax and broker fees. I tucked new expensive top-of-the-line calfhide (slunk on snare side) on the drum. The drum is almost 16" diameter so you have to buy 20" diameter calfhides to tuck them properly. That leaves me with well over $400 into it. The drum is in excellent condition the wood hoops I think are stunning. The claws and T-Rods are very well hand made hardware.

I don't think the drum is overpriced at $400 or even $500. I would not be surprised within a few years - in it's present condition with the PacMan case - to be worth a lot more than that to someone..........someone that may have played one like it in the Military????