Drummer community & drum marketplace
The first vintage & Custom Drum Magazine, since 1988
I’ve always been a fan of the blue and black “bowling ball” oyster finishes that Ludwig introduced in 1971. The blue is my favorite and I have had a couple of Hollywood kits (12, 13, 16, 22) over the years, but I’ve always wanted a Downbeat kit (13, 16, 22) with a rail consolette.
Read moreValencia drums were Pearl’s lower-priced kit during the 1960’s; similar to Ludwig’s Club Date and Slingerland’s Stage Band outfits. These drums were traded in at the Memphis Drum Shop several years ago by the original owner. They were purchased new in Japan while the owner was stationed there in the service.
Read moreHere we have a nice example of an early 1950’s Leedy and Ludwig Knob Tension kit. This unique outfit first appeared in the 1951 catalog and made its last appearance in 1953.
Read moreThe kit is in marble lacquer which is a hand painted finish resulting in no two drums ever looking exactly alike. The front bass drum head is beautifully hand painted and features actual sequins appliquéd on the female dancer’s dress.
Read more…so I pulled the trigger. As it turns out, the seller was George Lawrence. I was familiar with George, due to his affiliation with George’s Drum Shop and Famous Drums, but I did not know him at the time.
Read morea deal was struck with the Jacques Capelle company to produce drums under the Orange name. Capelle was founded in Paris in 1908 and was already well known for their uniquely designed bass drum pedals and hi-hats, which are still very desirable among collectors.
Read moreWooding drums were produced by Hollywood Meazzi in Italy. Meazzi made several lines of high-quality drums during the 1960’s and 1970’s. At one point, their endorsee roster included Max Roach, who had his own signature kit. Jack DeJohnette and Billy Cobham also had Meazzi kits.
Read moreThis Supersonic kit is made of fiberglass and according to my research was only produced in prototype form with about ten of them being made.
Read more
