In the summer of last year, we took a trip to the headquarters of the MW-Vintage company, which is known to quite a number of drummers in Poland and Europe not only from beatit.tv publications and can boast an increasingly growing range of drum kits of a slightly older date. On a beautiful and sunny day, company owner, Mateusz Wysocki, opened his show room for us to set up several vintage sets “tap” on. Once again, Max Psuja, agreed to be the ’lab tester’. Max is an utter vintage drum maniac, a former employee of a drum shop, and a great drummer, who has collaborated with a host of popular acts in Poland, such as Kumka Olik, Holak, Lilly Hates Roses or Yoachim.
We’re testing a Premier 2000 Aluminium snare drum
1. Product
Premier 2000 is a model which debuted in the company’s 1968 catalogue and has since become iconic, not only among Premier instruments but also in the history of drums in general. One could say it was Britain’s answer to the Ludwig Super Sensitive. The 2000 snare shells were available in 4”, 5.5” and 6.5” depths plus a 14 x 12” concert model. In the 1960s, this snare drum was endorsed by Keith Moon. In the 1970s, players included the likes of Clem Burke (Blondie), John Maher (Buzzcocks), Rick Buckler (The Jam) or Billy Doherty (The Undertones). The instrument tested here is a 14″ x 5.5″ and it has been significantly customized as, according to Mateusz Wysocki, it has undergone a general overhaul, which included powder coating and hardware replacement. Also, the ‘flo-beam’ throw-off has been replaced with a standard one with an adjustable butt end, which makes it possible to fit all types of modern snares. The approximate production date is 1979.
2. Basic specs:
- Producer: Premier
- Model: 2000
- Sizes: 14” x 5.5”
- Material: Seamless aluminium
- Shell thickness: 1.2 mm
- Hoops: Power Hoop 2.3 mm (top), 1.6 mm (bottom), 8 tension rods
- Throw-off: Adjustable butt end, new
- Lugs: Premier
- Snares: 25 strand, steel
- Heads: Remo Encore CS Coated / Remo Encore Ambassador Snare
- Finish: Antique Silver
3. Test and sound
When testing the 14″ x 5,5″ Premier 2000 Aluminium snare drum, we also used a Sonor Phonic Acrylic (see: HERE) drum kit as well as Impression Cymbals:15″ Leon Collection hats, a 17″ Hollister Crash and a 22″ Leon Collection Ride.
Max kicked off with single strokes on the batter head and the rim, then, proceeded to play a few rudiments with the snares off, repeat the routine with the snares on only to finish off by playing the snare accompanied by the entire drum kit.
The 14″ x 5,5″ Premier 2000 Aluminium is an excellent option for vintage lovers. It has just the right crack and a wide range of dynamics. It responds to the softest grace note and does not fatigue the ear with a long sustain. When completely not dampened, the instrument does not behave like a church bell warning the people of the Huns approaching. Also, the way it looks is interesting as its customized, silver-and-graphite finish may resemble the Ludwig Acrolite.
This is what Max Psuja had to say about this snare: “This Premier 2000 is one of the warmest sounding metal-shell snares I have had the opportunity to play recently. It is sensitive, has a broad dynamic range but doesn’t overshadow with volume or metallic overtones. It will be great for rock or singer/songwriter type of playing. Maybe not so much for extreme metal or jazz, but I think it could positively surprise!“
The snare is available for purchase at MW-Vinage Internet store under the following link: https://mw-vintage.pl/premier-werbel-2000-14-x-5-custom-vintage/
Drummers and Drummerettes! It’s time to put the 14″ x 5,5″ Premier 2000 Aluminium snare drum in Antique Silver finish to the most important test of all, i. e. the en.beatit.tv viewers’ test! Exclusively for you, we give you Max Psuja!
