Thoughts on ever finding a 3.5" Free Floating Snare in Piano Black...

[einspritzung]

I should have picked one up years ago as they are getting harder and harder to find. The last catalog I saw didn't even list a Maple shell option for the 3.5". I'm debating just buying a nice used 3.5" in Natural Maple and hope to find someone to trade with some day.

I can't see myself refinishing a perfectly good shell or getting as quality a finish as an original one. My second option would be to maybe pick up a brass shell 3.5 and hopefully find somebody willing to sell a Piano Black shell so I could eventually have two different flavors.

Any thoughts out there about the scarcity or are these easier to find for the rest of you!

[Josh Conover]

I feel like the shell could easily be special ordered, and not terribly expensive.

I’d go for the brass, since its easily attainable, and special order the maple shell sooner than later.

I’ve even gone so far as to order components before I’ve had the sets to go along with them. For instance, I bought a 14”x8” Session Studio Select snare in Antique Crimson Burst just to see the finish in person. Right away, I fell in love with the finish and knew I’d be putting together a kit with that finish so I purchased an 8” Tom and a 20” kick as they popped up on eBay. I had those for months before I finally sold an old kit (or two) and purchased the 22,16,14,12,10” shell pack.

[einspritzung]

I feel like the shell could easily be special ordered, and not terribly expensive.

I’d go for the brass, since its easily attainable, and special order the maple shell sooner than later.

I’ve even gone so far as to order components before I’ve had the sets to go along with them. ..

I think the brass is what I'm leaning toward. I mentioned getting a natural maple because one popped up in the generation I wanted and in great shape but I do think I'm going to pass... I hadn't thought about special ordering. Might actually check into that.
I can understand what you mean about getting stuff ahead. I have new heads for a 20" kick that I have yet to find, but when I do, I've got them!
Thanks for chiming in.