“If you were really fancy, you had four cowbells!”
Read moreDrum History Podcast - Episode 3 - Made in Japan: The History of Stencil Drums with Marc Patch
"Stencil drums" were Japanese copies of major drum manufacturers like Slingerland and Rogers that were created in the 50's to the 80's. They feature some of the most unique finishes that you can find and have become a unique category of affordable collectors drums. They have a somewhat mysterious history, but fortunately Marc Patch has written a book documenting the history of MIJ (Made In Japan) drums and took the time to talk with me.
Read moreThe Most Celebrated Drum In History?
The Gladstone name ranks right up there with all the drum innovators in history, Ludwig, Leedy, Way, Strauss, etc, but he also has the distinction of being a world class snare drummer. Even the not so humble Buddy Rich claimed he was the best.
Read more1926 Ludwig All-Metal Separate Tension Drum
I acquired this drum a year ago as just a shell with one lug, throw and butt plate attached. It was riddled with countless dents and headed to the trash, luckily I was in the right place at the right time to rescue i
Read moreDrum History Podcast - Episode 2 with Joey "Boom" Mekler - Exploring WW2 Metal-Ration Drums
For a moment in time, it was ILLEGAL to use more than 10% of metal per drum for drum making in America! The result is a fascinating collection of beautiful drums that feature wooden lugs, hoops, pedals, and hardware...most famously Slingerlands "Rolling Bomber."
Find out the reasoning behind this quirk in our nation's Drum History, as we discuss this and much more with war-era drums expert, Joe Mekler, a.k.a. "Joey Boom" of the Delaware Drum Show!
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs' Early Drum Set Video Series, Episode 2: "Chinese Cymbals"
A series on the transition of drum sets with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs. The history-rich videos discuss the components commonly found on the early drum set used ...
A series on the transition of drum sets with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs. The history-rich videos discuss the components commonly found on the early drum set
Read moreLate 60s Made In Japan Pearl Seamless Phenolic Kit
In the 1969 catalogue the "President” kit was the only one to show a rectangle badge with the words president on them. They also said Pearl and Japan. These President kits were built till 1973. They still offered great looking pearl wraps such as this Tiger Eye white pearl, marine pearl and gold grain pearl. I love the oyster pearl wrap. Based on this information (warp/badge/lugs/metal bass drum hoops) I put my kit somewhere in the late 60s/early 70s.
Read more1929- SLINGERLAND 5 x 14 *OPAL PEARL PROFESSIONAL MODEL
*Slingerland used the term Opal Pearl but this finish looks exactly like L & L’s Peacock Pearl or Leedy’s Rainbow Pearl finishes.
Read moreThe Rare Slingerland Ben Pollack Radio King Model Snare Drum
According to Slingerland’s catalogs, the “Ben Pollack “Radio King” model was only produced for two years, between 1936-1938. This is a significant reason why this model is extremely rare and desirable. Also, the drum consumers of the day were placing overwhelming orders to Slingerland for the Krupa model. All of this was certainly because of Gene Krupa’s major popularity and drumming success.
Read more2019 Chicago Drum Show Pics - 187 of them!
187 pics from the 2019 Chicago Drum Show!
Read moreThe Drum Engravers, Part 3: Mike Morgan
I’d like to share some of our conversations in order for you to get to know Mike as I did, describe a few examples of his work, and also explain how his approach differs from that of other gifted hand engravers, like John Aldridge and Adrian Kirchler.
Read moreGuide to Vintage Drum Indentification - Slingerland Lugs
The Slingerland “Streamlined” lugs were used on snare drums, bass drums (a larger version) and tom toms. While Leedy is credited with the first modern non-tubular lug casings, Slingerland was the first to use them on tom toms and bass drums.
Read moreMarcel FAIVRE full dress drumset
Probably a special order... a "custom" drumset as we say today. This drumset was manufactured by METJAZZ brand (Jean Metzger drum maker), whose specialty was those very decorated drumsets, very fashionable in France from the 30s to the early 50s…
Read more1920s C. G. CONN 5 x 14 8 LUG ENGRAVED/GOLD PLATED “DOUBLE DRAGON” ALL-METAL DRUM
“This drum has been nicknamed “The Dragon Drum” and was probably an un-catalogued one-off special order…
Read more"Drum History Podcast" - episode 1 with Kelli Rae Tubbs: The Death of the Trap Drummer
Kelli Rae explains and demonstrates the sound effects used by drummers during the silent movie era, and also how the “talkies” eventually put many drummers out of work in the theatres. Bart van der Zee has graciously allowed Not So Modern Drummer to publish his podcast and direct our viewers toward his awesome podcast site at www.drumhistorypodcast.com
Read moreGuide to Vintage Drum Identification - Leedy Lugs
In 1929, the Leedy Drum Company was sold to the C.G. Conn Company and a true innovation in lug design was introduced that year. Known as the “X” lug or “Box” lug, this new tension casing was attached to the drum shell from inside the drum with two screws.
Read moreGuide To Vintage Drum Identification - Overview
If you have ever found yourself looking at an old vintage drum and wondering, “What year was this made?”, or “When did they first use this type of snare strainer?”, or “What’s the name of this unusual finish?”, then this vintage drum guide may be of interest to you. The purpose of this guide is to help identify the various types, models, and features of vintage drums during the years 1923 to 1965. I consider this period to be the “golden age” of American drum manufacturing. This
Read more1926-27 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 5 x 14 NOB/12 pt. FLORAL ENGRAVED DeLUXE SUPER-LUDWIG MODEL
I think that this drum could have possibly been an un-cataloged special order. Everything points to a mid-1920s L & L DeLuxe snare drum (black nickel plating, 12 pt. floral engraving and DeLuxe copper plated/gold lacquered hardware) with the exception that the shell is nickel plated with the 12 pt. floral engraving showing through.
Read more1960s Gretsch Rock and Roll Set
Gretsch drums are some of my very favorite sets to collect and play. The first drum set I actually owned was a 1960s Gretsch kit. It was a beautiful Aqua Satin Flame double bass set. I have owned several Gretsch kits in my collection over the years and currently have a few beautiful Gretsch sets which I highly treasure
Read moreRarely seen in the wild - My 1960s MIJ Lido Supremes in Fantasia Pearl
There are a few drum wraps that make my head turn.: Peacock pearl. Capri Pearl. Bowling ball blue oyster. Tiger eye / Root beer swirl. But when my eyes laid on one of the rarest wraps, Fantasia pearl, I knew I had to get my hands on it.
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