(Re) opening the "mysterious provenance" snare drum debate

[roddswett]

It is mostly assumed that Stewart used a Pearl “Jupiter” model during the early days of the Police. However, here are some troubling facts:
1.- The Jupiter was a 1.5 chrome over brass (COB) shell with 3 grooves around it. Same thickness as the Tama SC signature snare.
2.- The other (COB) snare drum from Pearl since 1973 was a 1.0 shell , but had 2 grooves around it instead of 3.
3.- Until know, I have never seen a picture of SC (1978-1984) that you can clearly see the 3 grooves in the side of the snare.
4.- The only detailed picture I could find (in the 2007 tour book) was this, where you can see Stewart using the 2 groove snare drum (hence, NOT the Jupiter).
5.- I happen to own all three of those snares drums (Pearl Jupiter 1.5 mm. 3 grooves; Pearl “other model” 1.0 mm. 2 grooves; and Tama SC 1.5 mm.)
6.- The thing is that the Jupiter and the Tama SC are exactly the same in weight and pitch; but the problem is that the Pearl 2 grooves sounds closer to all five Police records.

Anyone?

SC1.JPG (36.77 KiB) Viewed 4609 times

[drummike]

I think I read someplace that Stewart had at least two of the Pearl snares, so maybe one was the heavier Jupiter and the other one wasn't. Maybe the equipment list in the Ghost tour book listed two Pearl snares; I'll have to check. I'm sure Jeff Seitz knows.

[roddswett]

Ok, but this picture was taken from the Outlandos tour period. And ff course Jeff is the master Yoda of these issues.
Looking forward to hearing from him!

[ltwoman]

Belatedly, welcome roddswett!

[roddswett]

Thank you Itwoman!

So here is the picture to spice up the debate from Pearl catalog 1973. However, there are some Jupiter snare drums with regular (not supersensitive) throw off lever.
You can clearly see the 3 groove -2 groove diference.

1973_pearl_snaredrums.jpg (97.48 KiB) Viewed 4562 times

[zilboy]

Are both Pearl drums seamless? Speaking only for myself, I've found that a seamless shell delivers a better "crack".

[roddswett]

Yes, they are both seamless.

Is there anyone out there with a SC picture using the 3 groove snare drum?

[Rusty James]

Hey and welcome, roddswett.

This is kinda interesting,
it's no wonder why these snare drums sound so good...

How it's made / Sonor metal snare drum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsb1yBtaImc

How it's made / Evans drumheads:
http://evansdrumheads.com/EVMediaDetail ... d=411&ex=0

[TheEqualizer]

I'm not sure it is usually assumed that SC used a Jupiter. Any particular source you rely on for that assertion?

ETA

Danny Quatrochi's Police Confidential id's the snare as a B4515 Jupiter, if I'm reading the Wiki right. So if that's what Danny says . . .

[TheEqualizer]

http://gc.guitarcenter.com/interview/copeland/

Pertinent quote:

QUOTE

Then I use one snare for everything. In fact, Tama has finally been able to replicate that snare for me! I had this snare and nobody knew where it came from but it's just the best sounding snare! It was originally a pearl snare. But I bought another pearl of the same model and it didn't sound the same.

END QUOTE

This was the topic of discussions before:

http://www.stewartcopeland.net/forum/vi ... f=2&t=6023

Apparently St. Jeff said he was about 99% sure that the snare in that thread was the snare STEWART used. However, the picture posted in that thread is no longer there.

Also instructive is:
http://www.stewartcopeland.net/forum/vi ... f=2&t=8594

The ebay listing is now down of course, but it seems like it may indeed have been a Jupiter

Well, I guess this may not have actually cleared up anything as to me this seems to support both that it was a Jupiter and that it wasn't.

[roddswett]

So here is what we have right now:

1.- It is clear that Stewart used the regular (non Jupiter) Pearl for -at least- some live gigs during The Police era (evidence A in picture at post #1)

2.- It is not clear that he used a Jupiter for studio albums.(though there is some evidence that he used "one snare drum for all those records")

3.- Tama SC snare drums matches in specifications the Jupiter.

4.- There are variations of the Jupiter (vent hole in the middle/vent hole in the bottom; standard throw off,/"supersensitive" throw off) and we have no information which one was used by Stewart.

[zilboy]

So here is what we have right now:

1.- It is clear that Stewart used the regular (non Jupiter) Pearl for -at least- some live gigs during The Police era (evidence A in picture at post #1)

2.- It is not clear that he used a Jupiter for studio albums.(though there is some evidence that he used "one snare drum for all those records")

3.- Tama SC snare drums matches in specifications the Jupiter.

4.- There are variations of the Jupiter (vent hole in the middle/vent hole in the bottom; standard throw off,/"supersensitive" throw off) and we have no information which one was used by Stewart.

The Tama SC matches the Jupiter specs except that it is not seamless. That has always been a sour note with me.

I'm pretty certain I have seen photos of Stewart playing the 3 grooved model as well as the Tama King Beat.

I'm going to research all my Police books and see if I can find any answers.