I have wanted this drum for a long time but they became increasingly hard to find after they were discontinued. I had an online alert set that popped off and I jumped on it. The seller in Canada said he had just put it up online five minutes ago! It’s in near mint condition ( and he has another one in mint condition for sale). I am a huge fan of Dave Garibaldi’s playing and sound with Tower of Power. This snare drum is part of his “sound”. It has a huge sound for such a small drum. Lots of ba**s, high end pop, and snare sensitivity. I buy drums for the way they sound, not the way they look, BUT this one is beyond pretty and, as Chevy Chase said, “IIIIIIIIII like it!”. Bright Shiny blue colored brass. I can’t wait to play it on a gig. I texted my former housemate in Nashville, Rich Russo, who has been Tower’s drum tech lately and asked him how Dave tuned it. He said “coated Ambassador head top and diplomat clear head on bottom. Tuned extremely tight to the point where it almost doesn’t sound good any more. One moongel on top.”
Here are the specs. 14 x 3.5 seamed Brass Shell * Blue Nickel Alloy Finish * 45 degree bearing Edges * One Piece double ended small lugs * 3.0mm Zinc Die-Cast Hoops * three air vents with optional vent plugs * Made In Japan