Here is a French rare drumset, which isn't formally identified because there's actually few informations on this production ... This drumset is attributed to Bartholomeo BUSATO …
The brand:
BUSATO was born on January 18, 1902 in Chiuppano, Italy. He moved to France around 1925, and created his first jazz guitar workshop in 1931, at 34, rue de Chaligny in Paris. He would have several addresses in Paris… It was a recognized jazz guitar manufacturer in France, and he produced beautiful guitars, very decorated. It also produced accordions and top of the line drumsets, but drums production was only a small activity for BUSATO's workshop, so they are very rare !! Bartholomeo BUSATO had filed some patents late 40s / early 50s, including one for a snare drum with an internal tension system (totally different than Geo Way's knob tension system). He died on July 4, 1960, in Champigny sur Marne, near Paris
The drumset :
This magnificent drumset dates from the early 50's, and is covered with white nacrolaque and decorated with scrolls and red brilliants... The shells are 3 plies with re ring ... Lugs and hoops are polished aluminum and rods are nickel-plated brass ... Dimensions are metric size BD 25,6 inch (65 cm) / Tom 14,2 inch (36 cm) and surprisingly 14" for SD... and all the drumset have natural heads, as of this era…
I've completely restored this drumset for his owner Alexandre A., and the Busato's drumset was shown during the exhibition, "Roll & Swing, drumset's birth in France", at the MUPOP French museum.
A bientôt,
Emmanuel
olDrums Vintage & Custom
http://www.oldrums.fr/