Potential new snare

[Audiopat]

I've had my eye on this snare for the month, gonna email the seller tomorrow for more info, and ask him to put it aside for me. It looks a bit rusted, but I always enjoy a good project in the winter!

The price is 1000 ZAR, which translates to just under $100us. Pretty good!

If anyone has any info on this drum let me know, been looking at a couple of vintage sites, looks like an Ajax 14 x 5, with original parts, from the 1960s.

[IMG][/IMG]

[8beat]

Looks interesting. I am not familiar with Ajax.

[DrummingAllTheWayHome]

I know they made some cymbals in the 60's thats about it though.

[Johnny G]

Never heard of Ajax except for scouring powder, but a lot of drum companies have come and gone over the decades.
Those lugs look a lot like the ones on my old '68 Sonor bop kit. Give em a light scrubbing with ultra-fine steel wool and they'll shine like crazy.
I love the aged pearl finish. Wouldn't do much to that at all.
Bearing edges are the key. Older snares tend to have their edges worn down a bit. Usually very reasonable to have them re-cut.
The throw off looks like it's gonna be hard to clean, but I love the look of that mechanism.
Good luck. Looks like she's worth closer to $50-75 US to me. I would try to talk him down a bit more, given the effort it's gonna take to make her presentable.
Keep us posted!
PS Big fan of die-cast hoops, too. Very nice.

[Audiopat]

Thanks Johnny G, just got a mail back from the seller, he is gonna throw in a set of Evans Heads and a snappy snare, so that kinda brings it equal.

[longgun]

For under $100, seems like a great deal......................looks like it would be a lot of fun to restore.

[Dodeska]

Ajax drums were considered the "English Rogers".

[Audiopat]

Yeah, I've been doing a lot of reading and researching, looking forward to getting my hands on this snare. The only thing bothering me is the slotted tension rods, I don't want to use a coin or my Leatherman to tune it!

[Markadiddle]

Ajax drums were considered the "English Rogers".

Yep, exactly. This was taken from a wiki article on Rogers drums:

"For the growing European market, Rogers drums were made in the UK by Ajax under licence from Rogers USA. The hardware was Rogers but the drum shells were supplied by Ajax from its UK production."

[xsabers]

Yeah, I've been doing a lot of reading and researching, looking forward to getting my hands on this snare. The only thing bothering me is the slotted tension rods, I don't want to use a coin or my Leatherman to tune it!

I have two SONOR sets with slotted rods. Easy enough to find drum keys on eBay.

[weezy]

I have two SONOR sets with slotted rods. Easy enough to find drum keys on eBay.

This. I prefer the L shaped one with a regular key on one side and slotted on the other.

From a design point, it looks like a Gretsch knock off with the tear drop lugs, round badge, and diecast hoops.

[Audiopat]

Ok, quick update, I think I'm gonna let this one go, a buddy of mine is doing some distribution got Soultone cymbals, and there was an amazing deal on a 22" Custom Brilliant ride that I could not pass up. Absolutely beautiful cymbals, I will start a new thread about the experience.