I worked at the factory 1970 to 83. Sadly after your drum was made. Def brass I could tell by the underside. The chrome plating was done at our own plating plant at Canal Street South Wigston Leicestershire. Happy days.
I own a Royal Ace from 1977 or 78 when I actually worked for Premier. I have not played it since 1983 when I started to work at Ludwig. I kept the drum in perfect shape and was planning to sell it. But then I really liked this drum and have decided to keep it and use it on some performances. Love this drum. My chrome plating is perfect also. Thx for sharing this drum with us.
Sounds so rich. Lovely purr and a great timpani response and that rim shot...cracks and quite the snappy little guy! Love it. Chases that beautifully toned gretsch kit. Yes definitely brass.
Hi Rick. Those drums are exceptional. I have exactly the same one as you. The original snares were stretched out so I contacted Zoran Bibin in Serbia to make me a new set. He's the only guy I'm aware of who can do this with care and precision. The snares are amazing and allow for precise tensioning with loads of adjustment potential left over. The snares cost me 20 Euros plus shipping to the UK. Incredible value for money. He's a dream to deal with. Regards. Ed.
I've taken a few of these apart and brought them back to life now. It is actually the two curved springs on the inside they can get slack overtime so I just bent them in again and the throw off is like new. The throw off should hold firmly without any wires on the snare as its action is independent of the wires and how tight they are its all in those two springs that the mech uses to be up against the parallel beam if they arent snug the mech can slip causing it to feel loose and have that gap rick mentions. Hope this helps others who may have come across one of these.
Hi Rick, that reslly is a beautiful sounding snare and in excellent condition. A lot of the Royal Ace snare mechanisms you see are damaged or unusable, and sadly have often been replaced with a conventional mechanism. Premier drums were made in Leicester and just north is Derby, where the Rolls Royce factory is. I have been told that Premier used the same chrome platers, don't know if it's true. A magnet will tell you if it's a steel drum. I'm not sure if Premier made Aluminium, but you say it's heavy. I got my first Premier kit in 1976, and have a soft spot for them. I sold my original kit when I was laid off (at a steel works in 1981), but since I have renovared a Royale kit and own a 60s Olympic wood (3 ply with rings) & 3 x 70s Premier steel snares. The chrome plating is brill. I recently compared the 6.5 with a new Supralite, and to me the Premier really had the edge on it. Enjoy that beautiful snare, and thank you for showing it. Hoping you and your family are all keeping well.
Really enjoyed seeing and hearing this drum again. I owned one in the late 60s and gigged and traveled with it. As I recall in time issues with the snare mechanism and slotted lugs made me get rid of it. Always liked the sound and response though.
I was about 12 or 13 years old just started to study drums I was at drum City in Hollywood California and I saw this beautiful drum on a stand at that time all the big-time throws hung out at the Drum Shop there I couldn't resist taking a timid tap the magic of that drum even to my untrained undeveloped ear that this was something special from then on I knew I have to have one through the years I've acquired several fine examples of the royal Ace model both wood and chrome over brass I might add that I am a parallel snare drum fan I also have some Broadway parallel and Ludwig super sensitive all fine playing and sounding drums but my really go to drum is at 4 by 14 Royal Ace especially now it's 71 years old I'm playing a more sedate the Jazzy Style not banging anymore in short what a wonderful drum
For those of you in Europe, look up Zoran Bibin, or Bibin Snare Wires, he makes snare wires for old Premier drums (and other vintage makes I guess). At a reasonable price. Don't know if he ships worldwide though.
There is nothing better than British Crome! My Kit is a 1955 Kit, I have several Ace Snares, A Heavy 9 and a Project One snare. I don't need to buy any more drums. WHERE you get the Brass/Gold plated stands??!!!???
Pure Sound supply a replacement snare for the Premier parallel system. I fitted one to my brass piccolo not too long ago. Hopefully they are still manufacturing them.
Thanks for sharing this Rick. Lovely piece of history. I know you know this, but there is a marked difference in weight. Density (g/cm3) of typical alloy = 2.8 and Brass = 8.5. I'm sure it is brass, sounds like it too, even with compressed laptop sound.
Most likely Brass. Chrome loves brass and does not work well with aluminum, hence the pitting,Premier was def. known for triple chrome plating, especially on their extended lugs.. Excellent vid Rick , love the Gretsch kit.
Premier didn't use triple chrome plating, they just polished the metal properly before the nickel, then chromoium - no copper was used in their plating process, as is the case with triple plating.
Check any of the holes drilled into the shell to see the colour of the shell - you might have to just scrape the nicel off a little. This drum is obviously brass, because their is no visible pitting to the chrome. Aluminium shells seldom reach this age without pitting.
Does this drum use two 12 strand snares like the Royal Scot marching snare drums (also by Premier)? I have one of the marching snares, and one of the snares was missing a snare. I looked for a long time to find a set of replacements. It is the best sounding marching snare I have ever heard or played on. Other than the parallel snare mechanism on the bottom, it also has one under the batter head as well. Great video, that is an amazing drum.
Royal Scot drums use the 2 types of parallel strainers, early ones used the Royal Ace, later ones the 2000 type. Royal Ace snares are virtually impossible to find, Once in a while some enterprising individual will have repros made, but bevcause of the economies of scale, they tend to cost - in the UK - around £80, which is close to the value of a Royal Ace snare drum
the standard snares for Royal Aces would be a 2x10 if I remember correctly. If you're in Europe, there's a guy in Serbia (I think) that makes them at a reasonable cost. Look for Zoran Bibin or Bibin Snare Wires.
Killer drum, killer chops
Beautiful drum and beautifully played too
I worked at the factory 1970 to 83. Sadly after your drum was made. Def brass I could tell by the underside. The chrome plating was done at our own plating plant at Canal Street South Wigston Leicestershire. Happy days.
Hi Stuart
Thanks for the information.
Must have been fun working there. I love their drums.
I own a Royal Ace from 1977 or 78 when I actually worked for Premier. I have not played it since 1983 when I started to work at Ludwig. I kept the drum in perfect shape and was planning to sell it. But then I really liked this drum and have decided to keep it and use it on some performances. Love this drum. My chrome plating is perfect also. Thx for sharing this drum with us.
Sounds so rich. Lovely purr and a great timpani response and that rim shot...cracks and quite the snappy little guy! Love it. Chases that beautifully toned gretsch kit. Yes definitely brass.
Nice set and the snare is impressive. You are a pretty good drummer.
Hi Rick. Those drums are exceptional. I have exactly the same one as you. The original snares were stretched out so I contacted Zoran Bibin in Serbia to make me a new set. He's the only guy I'm aware of who can do this with care and precision. The snares are amazing and allow for precise tensioning with loads of adjustment potential left over. The snares cost me 20 Euros plus shipping to the UK. Incredible value for money. He's a dream to deal with. Regards. Ed.
Thanks for that great info Ed.
Do you have his contact info so I can post it?
Thank you for info, I am planning on getting a set for my Royal Ace :) from Tom Hall drum shop, Pershore, Worcestershire, UK.
sounds awesome, my ears are dancing
I've taken a few of these apart and brought them back to life now. It is actually the two curved springs on the inside they can get slack overtime so I just bent them in again and the throw off is like new. The throw off should hold firmly without any wires on the snare as its action is independent of the wires and how tight they are its all in those two springs that the mech uses to be up against the parallel beam if they arent snug the mech can slip causing it to feel loose and have that gap rick mentions. Hope this helps others who may have come across one of these.
Hi Rick, that reslly is a beautiful sounding snare and in excellent condition. A lot of the Royal Ace snare mechanisms you see are damaged or unusable, and sadly have often been replaced with a conventional mechanism.
Premier drums were made in Leicester and just north is Derby, where the Rolls Royce factory is. I have been told that Premier used the same chrome platers, don't know if it's true. A magnet will tell you if it's a steel drum. I'm not sure if Premier made Aluminium, but you say it's heavy.
I got my first Premier kit in 1976, and have a soft spot for them. I sold my original kit when I was laid off (at a steel works in 1981), but since I have renovared a Royale kit and own a 60s Olympic wood (3 ply with rings) & 3 x 70s Premier steel snares. The chrome plating is brill. I recently compared the 6.5 with a new Supralite, and to me the Premier really had the edge on it.
Enjoy that beautiful snare, and thank you for showing it.
Hoping you and your family are all keeping well.
It is indeed a chrome over brass snare. Nice drum.
Beautiful drum, beautiful playing, Rick! Great tips and explanation of the drum. Subscribed!
Rick that is one nice snare drum! Didn’t know bout them, Reminds me of my Camco chrome over brass. Thanks for sharing. Super playing by the way!
oh my good, what a fantastic, soulful playing...I'm speechless !
Really enjoyed seeing and hearing this drum again. I owned one in the late 60s and gigged and traveled with it. As I recall in time issues with the snare mechanism and slotted lugs made me get rid of it. Always liked the sound and response though.
I was about 12 or 13 years old just started to study drums I was at drum City in Hollywood California and I saw this beautiful drum on a stand at that time all the big-time throws hung out at the Drum Shop there I couldn't resist taking a timid tap the magic of that drum even to my untrained undeveloped ear that this was something special from then on I knew I have to have one through the years I've acquired several fine examples of the royal Ace model both wood and chrome over brass I might add that I am a parallel snare drum fan I also have some Broadway parallel and Ludwig super sensitive all fine playing and sounding drums but my really go to drum is at 4 by 14 Royal Ace especially now it's 71 years old I'm playing a more sedate the Jazzy Style not banging anymore in short what a wonderful drum
Nice comment
Thanks for sharing....I love those Aces
Gorgeous I have 2 love them
Love the sound wow!
Good groove 👌
more super-sophisticated drumming!👍
For those of you in Europe, look up Zoran Bibin, or Bibin Snare Wires, he makes snare wires for old Premier drums (and other vintage makes I guess). At a reasonable price. Don't know if he ships worldwide though.
I just bought one at drum shack in London but they are distributed in Germany , Zoran used to sell direct but not these days
There is nothing better than British Crome! My Kit is a 1955 Kit, I have several Ace Snares, A Heavy 9 and a Project One snare. I don't need to buy any more drums.
WHERE you get the Brass/Gold plated stands??!!!???
Wonderful versatile drum. I heard the chroming on these snares was done at the Rolls Royce factory in the 60s.
I thought the Rolls Royce story was an urban myth. Great if it's true!
Yes, the Rolls-Royce story is myth, premier did their plating in-house
Ive stood next to the Premier chroming baths with Cliff Dellaporta the owner in 1975.
Had one of those,,,,Yes,the striker would drop on me.Kind of a super-sensitive.Great snare for brushes...............Ralph Onofrio
Pure Sound supply a replacement snare for the Premier parallel system. I fitted one to my brass piccolo not too long ago. Hopefully they are still manufacturing them.
Great!!!
You can get the snare wires from drum attic in the uk! They are in stock now and they are perfect
Thanks for that information
Thanks for sharing this Rick. Lovely piece of history. I know you know this, but there is a marked difference in weight. Density (g/cm3) of typical alloy = 2.8 and Brass = 8.5. I'm sure it is brass, sounds like it too, even with compressed laptop sound.
Yes, I am 99.9% it is COB. It passes the magnet test and is heavy for a drum of this size.
Most likely Brass. Chrome loves brass and does not work well with aluminum, hence the pitting,Premier was def. known for triple chrome plating, especially on their extended lugs.. Excellent vid Rick , love the Gretsch kit.
Premier didn't use triple chrome plating, they just polished the metal properly before the nickel, then chromoium - no copper was used in their plating process, as is the case with triple plating.
Check any of the holes drilled into the shell to see the colour of the shell - you might have to just scrape the nicel off a little. This drum is obviously brass, because their is no visible pitting to the chrome. Aluminium shells seldom reach this age without pitting.
Does this drum use two 12 strand snares like the Royal Scot marching snare drums (also by Premier)? I have one of the marching snares, and one of the snares was missing a snare. I looked for a long time to find a set of replacements. It is the best sounding marching snare I have ever heard or played on. Other than the parallel snare mechanism on the bottom, it also has one under the batter head as well. Great video, that is an amazing drum.
Royal Scot drums use the 2 types of parallel strainers, early ones used the Royal Ace, later ones the 2000 type. Royal Ace snares are virtually impossible to find, Once in a while some enterprising individual will have repros made, but bevcause of the economies of scale, they tend to cost - in the UK - around £80, which is close to the value of a Royal Ace snare drum
the standard snares for Royal Aces would be a 2x10 if I remember correctly. If you're in Europe, there's a guy in Serbia (I think) that makes them at a reasonable cost. Look for Zoran Bibin or Bibin Snare Wires.
this is most likely a c.o.b! I have one with the small badge, but sadly the parallel throw off is missing
Ace Drummer 🍷✌️✔️✔️
I’m fairly positive this is a COB.
My friend had that drum and i had the brass one. Man, am i ever mad at myself for selling it. 😒 🥁