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Autocrat Snare Drums

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1935 John Grey & Sons Autocrat
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1935 John Grey & Sons Dress Model
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1939 Autocrat Chrome over Brass
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1940's Autocrat Mirror Black Wrap

Autocrat 'Super' (1950's)

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(Later model shown)
519 14" x 5" (36 x 13 cm)
518 14" x 5¾" (36 x 14.5 cm) [Model number later re-used for Meteor]
A new drum for the drummer who will accept only the best, this model embodies many exclusive features, it possesses exceptional tone, and is rightly acclaimed one of the very finest Snare Drums ever made. Rigid, die-moulded counter hoops with buttressed and rounded edges incorporate eight straining lugs. Self-aligning tension fittings and John Grey Streamlined Saddles ensure easy tuning. The new John Grey snare mechanism with special coiled wire snares is simple, self-aligning, and absolutely positive in action, (Snare instantly detachable without disturbing the mechanism.) All metal parts heavily chromium plated and polished. Tancraft Super White Calf batter head and matched Slunk Calf snare head, on deep rounded flesh hoops. Adjustable internal tone control. Available in white or black mirror plastic, white pearl or blue pearl

Autocrat 'Hot-Snap' (1950's)

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520 13" x 3" (33 x 7.50 cm)
Demanded by Drummers - and just ready in time to be included in this catalogue [1957]. This is the latest narrow snare drum with the crisp, snappy tone. Ideal for recording and broadcasting. Special FLANGED STEEL counter hoops and entirely new self-aligning tension saddles, with side-by-side tensioning screws for perfect separate tensioning of snare and batter heads. A novel adjustable snare fitting, with instant throw-off, controlling coiled wire snares on plastic endplates. All metal parts chromium plated and polished. Best white calf batter head and matched slunk calf snare head.
Available in white or black mirror plastic, white pearl or blue pearl.

Autocrat 'Super' (1960's)

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522 14" x 4½" (36 x 11.75 cm) [1963 Catalogue]
522 14" x 5" (36 x 11.75 cm) [1965 Catalogue]
A magnificent and versatile snare drum responding to the very lightest touch, but with unlimited power. The new 522 is the drum for the progressive drummer who will settle for no less than the best.
Laminated wood shell. Eight self-aligning tension fittings. Positive action snare mechanism with 20-strand coiled wire snares. All metal parts heavily chromium plated and polished. Adjustable internal tone control.

Autocrat 'Meteor' (1960's)

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518 14" x 5" (36 x 13 cm)
A new all-metal snare drum designed for the drummer requiring an exceptionally crisp, penetrating tone. Specification as model New 522 but with 5" deep chromium-plated metal shell.

Autocrat 'Narrow' (1960's)

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524 14" x 3" (36 x 7.50 cm)
A narrow shell model with exceptionally crisp penetrating tone, equally suitable for large or small band work.
Laminated wood shell. Eight self-aligning tension fittings with side-by-side tensioning screws for perfect tensioning of snare and batter heads. Adjustable snare release with 20-strand coiled snare wires. All metal parts heavily chromium plated and polished

Autocrat Tom-Toms & Floor Toms

With laminated wood shell, heavily reinforced, covered with pearl or glitter plastic. Self-aligning streamlined fittings, heavily chromium plated and polished. One or two adjustable tone controls.

1950's

575 12" x 8" (30 x 20 cm), 6 fittings
567 14" x 10" (36 x 25 cm), 8 fittings
566 14" x 15" (36 x 38 cm)
577 16" x 20" (41 x 51 cm)
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1960's

567 12" x 8" (30 x 20 cm), 5 fittings
578 16" x 16" (41 x 41 cm)



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Autocrat Bass Drums

Laminated wood shell, strongly reinforced and covered with pearl or glitter plastic. Hoops are covered in plastic to match, ornamented with bands of contrasting enamel. Eight John Grey self-aligning tension fittings, chromium plated and highly polished. Two adjustable internal tone controls. Fitted with selected, matched white vellums.

5026/15 20" x 15" (51 x 38 cm), 5026/17 20" x 17" (51 x 43 cm) Bass Drum

5027/15 22" x 15" (56 x 38 cm), 5027/17 22" x 17" (56 x 43 cm) Bass Drum
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THE NEW JOHN GREY AUTOCRAT BASS DRUM FITTING
FITTED TO ALL SEPARATE-TENSION BASS DRUMS
  1. Concealed floating bush ensures perfect self-alignment. Screw can neither bend nor bind.
  2. Strong ? absorbs strain without risk of distortion.
  3. Smooth contours cannot become dust-traps.
  4. Unbreakable steel claw - a one-piece stamping.
  5. Tympani handle of great strength - large size for easy and accurate tuning.

Autocrat 'Supreme' Outfits

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1950's Outfit

519 14" x 5" (36 x 13 cm) Snare Drum
575 12" x 8" (30 x 20 cm) Tom-Tom, Bass attachment 5368
577 16" x 20" (41 x 51 cm), Tom-Tom on legs
5026 20" x 15" (51 x 38 cm) Bass Drum, fitted 3 spurs 5282

5174 14" (36 cm) Super Zyn Cymbals
5175 15" (38 cm) Super Zyn Cymbal
5177 18" (45 cm) Super Zyn Cymbal

A complete and comprehensive outfit selected from the John Grey AUTOCRAT range together with fittings and accessories of the highest quality.
The drums and Tom-Toms are available in Black or White Mirror Plastic or in White Pearl or Blue Pearl, to choice.
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1960's Outfit

522 14" x 5" (36 x 13 cm) Snare Drum
567 12" x 8" (30 x 20 cm) Tom-Tom
578 16" x 16" (41 x 41 cm) Tom-Tom on legs
5026 20" x 15" (51 x 38 cm) Bass Drum

5244 14" (36 cm) AVEDIS ZILDJIAN Cymbals
5245 15" (38 cm) AVEDIS ZILDJIAN Cymbal
5248 18" (45 cm) AVEDIS ZILDJIAN Cymbal

Die-Moulded counter hoops, with cushion rims and solid tension lugs. HEADMASTER plastic heads on Snare Drum and Tom-Toms. Disappearing Bass Drum Spurs and Cymbal Arms.

Available in the following finishes:-
Black or White Mirror Plastic, 
Marine, Grey or Midnight Blue Pearl, 
Red or Turquoise Glitter.

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