Sensitone find - calling Pearl Experts

[Res]

I recently acquired a rare gem.

It’s a 14”x5” copper Sensitone snare that I’ve been eyeing for some time with ARL lugs, SR150 Click-lock (Gladstone style) throw.

Since I’ve spotted it, I did all the research I could, mostly coming up empty though there’s a single audiophile on YT from Japan.
There is a page with a copper Sensitone with tube lugs and a different badge from Pearl Japan but it does not match this style of Sensitone.

Besides the occasional free floating shell and the 3.5” Smitty sig, I recall not ever seeing one of these.

Does anyone have one or any knowledge of these?
I reached out to Pearl and the message I got seems that they are calling it a phosphor bronze and give me the 1450pb sku - it’s definitely not as I have one of those too (see snare rack pic, the PB is between Jupiter and brass ff snare). I did respond and hope to get a clearer answer.

It has a Pearl tagged serial inside shell serial #141425.

Any help or insight is appreciated.

[Josh Conover]

Could it be that it was sanded?

I did the same with an old 13” brass SensiTone that had a tremendous amount of tarnish on it.

[Res]

Could it be that it was sanded?

I did the same with an old 13” brass SensiTone that had a tremendous amount of tarnish on it.

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Hi Josh no this is definitely a copper snare by both looks and sound.
I don’t know if yours is evenly tarnished inside, you can see the interior is same as exterior on mine.

It’s not a raw finish but it’s more unpolished finish as opposed to the PB being polished.

I own the brass free floater and two CoBs in the Jupiter and the Gretsch 4160.
As I stated I also have the bronze Sensitone and it’s not that either.

The bronze as far as sound it’s bellowed fundamental sound and likes medium to lower tuning.
This snare has very crisp and clean highs unlike any in my stable.

As for reference besides YT, I used to own a Roland V-Club and always set my kits to have a copper snare, and this is THAT sound.
It’s easily my favorite snare now.

I hope someone can tell me more about this beaut.

[Victor Alexandrov]

Could it be one of PDF member MusicMan's "custom" creations?

[skeld-the-wicked]

It’s a Phosphor Bronze Sensitone . I think the only other current Sensitone with the same lugs is the Patina Brass model.

[Victor Alexandrov]

Could it be one of PDF member MusicMan's "custom" creations?

I mean, the first possible google hit for "bronze snare shell" is this:
https://www.vbvinternational.com/en/...ell-snare-drum

Forum member MusicMan is known to have done things like this - using shells gathered from various places and slapping Pearl badges on them, and also has claimed numerous times that he prefers the ARL lugs on his metal snares.

[ADman2B]

My best guess is Japanese exclusive: https://reverb.com/item/39761283-pea...-free-shipping

[Res]

Thanks for your replies.
Adman - That’s exactly what mine is, possibly same one, I purchased mine in Colorado Springs,
looking quickly at shell you can easily tell it’s copper.
The composition is not in question, it’s a copper shell not bronze.

Just wanted to see if anyone knew anything about these.

[Res]

... and here is another one that was on Reverb in the past. It's just a Copper Sensitone, made in Taiwan.

https://reverb.com/item/45733912-pea...x14-snare-drum

That’s the one I acquired from Jeff.

[Res]

Also here is the page from Japan with a polished copper shell maybe more of these are available?

Notable differences from mine are the brushed unpolished finish, ARL lugs, Superhoop IIs, SR150 throw (which I love my Bronze sensi has this throw), and USA Sensitone badge.

You’ll have to highlight and translate the descriptions if your curiosity gives in.


https://pearldrum.com/node/1332996

[Res]

This listing tells the story, including the model number. It was a Japan exclusive. The shell was brushed and lacquered to prevent tarnishing.

https://reverb.com/item/39761283-pea...-free-shipping

That is correct, I did Google the sku and got only 1 hit for above link.

I’d like to see just how long they were in production, and about how many were made, but it seems like this is the only one?

[Feenix]

Also here is the page from Japan with a polished copper shell maybe more of these are available?
Notable differences from mine are the brushed unpolished finish, ARL lugs, Superhoop IIs, SR150 throw (which I love my Bronze sensi has this throw), and USA Sensitone badge.
You’ll have to highlight and translate the descriptions if your curiosity gives in.
https://pearldrum.com/node/1332996

Oh dang, that's hawt. I'd buy one of those if I could.

[MusicMan]

Just my two cents here ...

It's likely that a Pearl snare drum (besides aluminum) would be made with a high gloss finish (as in the link to the Japanese 14x5.5 copper snare, the Marvin Smith signature copper snare, and the Free Floating copper shell). They also do the same thing with steel, brass, nickel plated brass, and phosphor bronze shells.

A brushed copper shell is either of Chinese origin or modified with sanding or brushing (like the brass one posted in an earlier comment).

MM

[Res]

Just my two cents here ...

It's likely that a Pearl snare drum (besides aluminum) would be made with a high gloss finish (as in the link to the Japanese 14x5.5 copper snare and the Marvin Smith signature copper snare). They also do the same thing with steel, brass, nickel plated brass, and phosphor bronze shells.

A brushed copper shell is either of Chinese origin or modified with sanding or brushing (like the brass one posted in an earlier comment).

MM

Thanks for your response.
It is in fact from Taiwan if that’s what you mean?
Here’s some pics I took just a while ago.

Again I own a lot of different voices in my snare arsenal.
The beaded shell is shiny penny colored copper inside out, just not polished.
It sounds spectacular and came with Superhoop IIs.





AH01 Air Hole with rubber gasket.

[skeld-the-wicked]

This pic was from a page of Cascio Interstate music from the 2018/2019 catalogue.Cascio unfortunately went out of business 2 years ago.Sorry for the crappy pic. I hope this helps.