Cocktails Anyone?

October 29, 2018 Kurt Ekstrom

Ludwig(WFL) started making cocktail drums in the 50’s as a means for singers and lounge acts to quickly get on and off a stage using up as little space as they could. Several different models were made including a set that included a 4x13 snare drum that attached to the side of the drum. This model was known as the Las Vegas model and was made around 1959. Other models had the main drum that relied on a set of snares that pushed up against the head to create a snare effect. A baffle was used inside to separate the bass drum sound from the snare sound. Ludwig’s stand up cocktail drums came in a 16x24 size and some of the lower end models were single headed leaving the bottom open.

Elvin Jones' Personal Gig Poster Collection

October 29, 2018 Donn Bennett

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Over the 14 years I’ve known Keiko, she has shared countless Elvin stories. One reoccurring story was about a collection of Elvin’s promotional posters they’d collected in their 30 plus years of touring the world. They came up in conversation many times, but we never discussed them in much detail. Earlier this year, the posters came up again. I eventually purchased the posters along with a forgotten cache of Elvin’s gear that had been stored in a friends garage in New Jersey (more about that soon). The posters arrived in a couple of Elvin’s old Jazz Machine trap cases. There were about 100 unique posters, photos and paintings, many of them with multiples, that Elvin and Keiko personally collected from gigs spanning 4 decades. They were collected from all over Europe, Asia, South America and the US.

Slingerland Photo Shoot

October 29, 2018 Phil Wilson

I recently had an idea after looking at some old black and white vintage drummer photos. What I wanted to do was set up a photo shoot with one of my vintage kits and pose like the old drummers did in those cool promotional photos.

1965 Leedy Shelly Manne Outfit no. 11 in Sparkling Champagne Pearl

September 18, 2018 Mark Steven

This installment of Vintage Happiness is on my first Leedy love. This was the first Leedy set in my collection and the one that made me buy several more Leedy sets!

I became a big fan of the art deco lugs and T-rods from this era. This is the era that many collectors refer to as the “Slingerleedy” period when Slingerland owned Leedy and manufactured these drums as well as Slingerlands from 1955 through 1966. This is a 1965 Leedy Shelly Manne Outfit No. 11 in Sparkling Champagne Pearl.

The set consists of a 14x20 bass drum, 9x13 tom, 16x16 floor tom, and the fantastic 5.5x14 Shelly Manne snare with the Broadway throw off. The drums also have the “chocolate milk” interiors, which is consistent with Slingerland manufacturing.

1934 Leedy 5x14 Full Dress Broadway Parallel Snare Drum

September 11, 2018 Mike Curotto

I just got this drum from my good friend and fellow collector Mark Cooper. This drum came to me in excellent shape so very little was needed to be done hence the short story.

Slingerland 1960s Modern Jazz Outfit

September 11, 2018 Phil Wilson

The drum set I am featuring from my collection this month is a Slingerland Modern Jazz Outfit catalog number 9N. The drum sizes are 20X14, 14X14, 12X8, and a 14X5 Sound King chrome over brass 8 lug snare drum with a "Zoomatic" strainer. All drums have "Rim Shot" rims. I always call these rims "Stick Savers", but I saw that they weren't called that in the late 60s catalog. The interiors are coated with the tan or "chocolate milk" paint used in the late 1960s. The Niles, Illinois badges are black and brass ovals with serial numbers. The awesome feature about these drums is the ultra-cool Gold Satin Flame Pearl wrap. I just love the Satin Flame wraps. The wrap looks so good on these drums. I'm always looking for the "pot of gold" and this sweet drum set is just that.

Seen At The 2018 Connecticut Vintage And Custom Drum Show

August 31, 2018 David Barsalou

Rick Smith presented another successful vintage and custom drum show at The Sphinx Shriners Center in Newington, Connecticut. This years’ featured clinician’s were Gregg Bissonette and Richie Morales. Once again, both the clinics and dealer booths were jammed with drumming enthusiasts of all ages. It was standing room only in the auditorium for Gregg and Richie. Both of their presentations were educational, inspirational, and entertaining

1961/62 Slingerland Modern Jazz Outfit in Capri Pearl

August 19, 2018 Mark Markowitz

This set is a 1961/62 Slingerland Modern Jazz Outfit in Capri Pearl finish, which very hard to find in good shape. This time I finally found one. This really is some finish. I’ve not had much experience with this wrap in GOOD shape so I am now going to say it is my current favorite vintage drum finish. Just wow.

1926 L&L Super Ludwig 4x15 White Enamel Inspiration Concert Dance Model

August 3, 2018 Mike Curotto

The Inspiration Super-Ludwig Model was introduced around 1926. Some of the options were gold plating, DeLuxe plating (simulated gold plating), white enamel or black nickel shell.

New Drum Show in St. Louis - 10/20/18

July 24, 2018 George Lawrence

I am very pleased to announce that The St. Louis Drum Ambassadors will be hosting our very first Annual Drum Show and Swap meet this Fall! St. Louis is the perfect place for such an event due to our abundant local drumming community and the ever growing interest in drum collecting across the Midwest.

We already have several commitments from sellers, custom builders, and companies from across the country who will be there to spend the day with us. More details to come on other activities such as drum clinic info and kids drum battle. Please reserve the date and come join us this Fall in St. Louis to spend the day doing what we all love so much: talking, buying, selling, and playing drums!!!

Proceeds will be donated to Play It Forward STL!

Play it Forward is a St. Louis based program which began in 2006. Their mission - ensure each child in St. Louis is provided with the opportunity to discover his or her musical talents. This is done by encouraging people to donate usable musical instrument that they no longer use. These instruments are cleaned and repaired to a playable condition. The instruments are then distributed to underprivileged children and lower income school music programs that don't have them in their budget. You can visit their web site at www.playitforwardstl.org.

Spots are filling up quickly so please email me at randy73drums@hotmail.com to reserve a booth or with any questions about the show.

Event Details:
Location https://www.kokenartfactory.com/
Saturday 10/20/18 from 11a.m. to 5p.m.
Vendors can load in the night before or the morning of event.
Booth space sizes and prices are as follows:
8' x 8' $15
12' x 12' $25

FREE ADMISSION TO THE PUBLIC!
Tables will be provided for each booth.
Larger spaces can be arranged if needed.
Great food will be available for you to enjoy while searching for that next awesome drum deal.

The Ringo Effect

May 20, 2018 Kurt Ekstrom

The color is also an absolutely stunning example of mid 60’s Oyster Black. It almost looks three dimensional and though Ludwig still had this color in 1968, it was slowly being phased out when Ludwig started using the bowling ball version. It’s actually pretty hard to match Oyster Black pieces as the pattern could change from batch to batch. All three drums have this beautiful match and the color is just hypnotic.

1960 Walberg & Auge "Perfection" kit - rare finish.

May 15, 2018 Mark Markowitz

These high quality 'Perfection' drum sets were built using shells supplied by Gretsch and Keller with a variety of Gretsch, Rogers, Slingerland & Ludwig hoops, lugs and W&A hardware. W&A received the shells from hardware trades and barters. These particular shells are the 6 ply Jasper Gretsch round badge shells. So basically a 1960 RB Gretsch kit in a very rare finish

1954 Leedy & Ludwig & "SlingerLeedy" set in sparkling blue

May 13, 2018 Phil Wilson

The floor tom is the real story with this set. I don't know the history concerning this set first hand, so I am going to put forth a guess as to why the floor tom is a matching Slingerland made Leedy drum. We all know that Bud Slingerland bought Leedy from Conn at the same time William F. Ludwig bought the Ludwig brand from Conn. This was in the mid 1950s. I believe someone had purchased this Leedy and Ludwig set in 1954 as a three piece set. That was not uncommon at all in those days. He later went back to the music store, maybe in 1956 and asked if he could purchase a matching floor tom for his set. By this time Slingerland was able to fill the order for the store to sell to the customer.

French vintage BUSATO drum set restored

May 13, 2018 Emmanuel Giraudon

Busato was a recognized jazz guitar manufacturer in France, and he produced beautiful guitars, very decorated. He 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 !!

1947-1949 Slingerland 7 x 14 Blue Diamond Pearl Radio King Model

April 29, 2018 Mike Curotto

This drum has been in my collection almost from the start (1995). My good friend Al Schneider aka The Drum Doctor had given me this drum on a permanent loan basis. I’m in between restorations so I figure it’s about time that I clean this all original puppy.

1966 Leedy Shelly Manne Outfit No. 11 in Grey Agate Pearl

March 21, 2018 Mark Markowitz

The set really has a unique look to it. I was unfamiliar with the wrap and when I was first sent the photos, I was immediately interested in the set. Further findings led me to see the Rogers version called Black Onyx. The drums were bought from a fellow vintage collector Butch Carlson who owns American Vintage out of Los Angeles. We had met at The Hollywood Drum Show years earlier and he also has provided me with the exceptional 1968 Ludwig Lemon Strata kit I wrote about in March 2016. Thanks again Butch!

Announcing Billy Arnold's Book

March 20, 2018 David Barsalou

Portions of this book sale will be donated to the Springfield Community School of Music. If you would like to donate to the Community Music School of Springfield visit the web site.
http://communitymusicschool.com/ways-to-give/

1935 LEEDY 6.5 x 15 RED/CREAM/RED DUCO BROADWAY PARALLEL MODEL

February 25, 2018 Mike Curotto

The latest addition to the collection comes from my good friend and fellow collector Mark Cooper of Coopersvintagedrums.com I usually stay clear of Duco finishes as a good number of them have not fared well over the 80+ years but this one had two things going for it: 1. Red/Cream/Red Duco which I have never seen. 2. This is a 6.5 x 15 Broadway Parallel model which is somewhat rare.

Taxi Driver Drummer Trivia

February 25, 2018 Chet Falzerano

At the risk of being accused of practicing sorcery, I assume you are a drum history buff. If, on the off chance, like me, you are also a movie buff and the subject of tonight's “Movie Quiz” meeting is Taxi Driver, I have great news. Simply reading the remainder of this article, you will impress everyone in the room and be the envy of all your colleagues. Are you ready?

1954 Gretsch Broadkaster "Name Band" Drum Set w Zildjian cymbals - $3000

January 17, 2018 George Lawrence

This is a brokered set. Serious offers only. The owner will ship from Abilene Texas. 14 x 6.5 snare, 14x22 bs, 9x13 and 16x16 toms. 15" hats and 18" crash from the same era. In excellent shape. Please direct all questions and offers to George Lawrence either in the comments below or via email george@notsomoderndrummer.com.

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Database of Articles 11/13 to current