I purchased a 6 ½x14 solid rosewood Sonor snare in 1972. It has ten lugs, a separate snare control on the butt end, and an internal muffler. The badge is gold and reads "Sonor since 1875." The serial number is 6208. Is this drum a collectible, and if so, how much would it be worth?

Stu Robins

According to drum historian Harry Cangany, "Yes, that's a '70s Sonor Phonic snare. Most Sonor sets in that series came with a ferromanganese metal snare with a parallel-action strainer. But Sonor offered matching 9-ply rosewood snares in 5 ½x14 and 6 ½x14 sizes. It's great to see that entire set in showroom condition with the period-correct hardware, including the vintage 5317 pedal with its rubber-grip footboard. Your snare was made in Germany, at a time when Sonor was owned by the Link family. Sonor drums were, and still are, well known and respected for their quality materials and manufacturing. Phonic series drums were also some of the heaviest to carry. Phonic snares had triple-flange hoops, as your snare has. Today that drum would sell for about $600, since it's in such great condition."