Sonor · Signature HLD 590 · 1987 on
Sonor's Signature Series was Horst Link's showpiece, and every drum carried a gold plate engraved with his signature. The HLD 590 joined it in 1987, when Sonor unveiled it at the Frankfurt Musikmesse, and Sonor calls it legendary and says it's still popular with collectors. Its 14 x 8 inch shell is cast in one piece from bell bronze, the tin and copper alloy used for cymbals, about 3 millimeters thick and thickened to 5 at the edges for a 45-degree bevel. It weighs about 15 kilograms. Every metal part except the shell is copper-plated and sealed with clear lacquer, which gives the drum its rose-gold look. The hardware is the same as on the steel HLD 588, so the bronze is the difference. Modern Drummer's reviewer called the 4-inch HLD 593 piccolo probably the heaviest snare he'd ever lifted. Older listings call this drum ferro-manganese, but that was the steel Signature shell. Ask for close photos of the copper plating and the shell surface, because those are the hardest things to put right.
Inside the shellSignature HLD 590
Sonor showed the HLD 590 at the 1987 Frankfurt Musikmesse, so none predate 1987. Both 10-lug and 12-lug versions exist. Signature badges carry Horst Link's engraved signature and often a serial number, which collectors log at sonor-signature.de.
The thin copper plating wears through and the lacquer fails, and bare copper darkens fast. The bronze shell can pit, and restoring the shell or the plating is slow, skilled work.
Buying guide
There's one HLD 590 for sale, from a 100% seller in Austria at $7,672 delivered, so its price isn't a market read. The first photo shows a golden bronze shell with copper-colored hoops and lugs and the gold Signature badge, which is right for the bronze drum, since the steel HLD 588 is all chrome. The title gives no size, and the HLD 590 is the 14 x 8, so ask for the depth and the badge serial. Ask for close daylight photos of the plating and the shell too, because worn copper and pitting are slow, skilled fixes, and ask whether import charges are on top of the $224 shipping.
$7,672.00est. delivered
The only HLD 590 on eBay right now, titled bell bronze, and the first photo shows the bronze shell, copper hardware and Signature badge. Ask for the depth and serial before you offer.
Sonor HLD 590 BELL BRONZE Snare
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$7,672.00est. delivered
$7,448.00 + $224.00 shipping
Buy It Now$7,448.00
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Good buy
Titled bell bronze. Photo shows a bronze shell with copper hardware. Ships from Austria.
Seller: iz_me_alex
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 12, 2026.
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