The
Separate Tension Orchestra Model was
George B. Stone & Son's premier snare drum offering through the 1910s and into the early 1920s. The example featured here, dating from the early to mid 1910s, is typical in many ways but quite uncommon in others. Immediately noticeable is something not often seen from Stone & Son - a mahogany shell.
The overwhelming majority of Stone drums feature maple shells. Mahogany, however, as well as oak and walnut were offered in early
Stone catalogs including Catalog H, circa 1915. By the time Catalog I was published in 1919, only maple was listed.
Also in contrast with later Stone drums is the recessed rosewood grommet intended to prevent obstructing the flesh hoops as the heads are tightened. Lastly, the single-ply maple counterhoops are stained around the outer face to approximate the color of mahogany.
Though badly torn, an original Stone "SPECIAL TRANSPARENT" snare side head remains intact. A well-preserved makers label inside the drum is consistent with other Stone drums from the early to mid 1910s. The drum has no metal badge as the practice had not yet been adopted by Stone & Son.
The snare mechanism is
William F. McIntosh's 1909 patent
snare strainer and muffler and the original "Wire Wound Waterproof Snares" are held in place on the opposite side by a simple leather anchor.
Do you have a Geo. B. Stone & Son drum? I would love to hear from you! Feel free to email Lee at
lee@vinson.net. And for more on Stone and the other turn of the century Boston-based drum makers, please visit
BostonDrumBuilders.com or follow
@old_boston_drums on Instagram.
