Another great video about the history of drums and sound effects by columnist Kelli Rae Tubbs, featuring Wm F “B3” Ludwig . This one is loud. Hold your ears! :-)
Read moreImmaculate Rogers kit found in an old barn
Here's a beautiful Rogers Red Oynx kit that was found in a barn…
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs's Back In Time Video Series - The Charleston Pedal
A series on the cymbal's incorporation into modern drum sets with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs. The history-rich videos discuss the transition of cymbals to their c...
Kelli Rae Tubbs takes us back in time again, before the invention of the high hat, and shows us the contraptions drummers invented to play cymbals with their feet.
Read moreHow America’s Bicentennial Impacted Ludwig Drum Dating
One lesson learned here is when you see a listing for a drum from 1976, think twice before believing that date. A related lesson is that if you have drum with a serial number in the lower part of Mr. Cook’s 917xxx – 1290xxx range, do not describe it as being from 1976. There is no harm just listing the serial number and letting others take their best guess. They will probably look it up online, and just perhaps they will see this article and think twice before declaring it to be from 1976.
Read moreWFL Victorious
As I sit here wondering when life will get back to some sort of normal, I am pondering what to write about in a drum article that would make for a good distraction, yet relate to the state of things in the world today. One such drum that comes to mind for me is this WW II era Victorious snare drum. The very name Victorious is something that I think is appropriate because in due time, I feel we will all emerge stronger and victorious from the effects of Covid
Read moreWWII Restriction 1943-1944 Leedy Dreadnaught Victor Set In White Marine Pearl
Please allow me to introduce you to my WWII Restriction 1943-1944 Leedy Dreadnaught Victor Set In White Marine Pearl. I usually can finish a full set restoration in approximately two weeks, this set took almost two months. 11”, 13”, 15” 26”, 6.5” x 14”. It is simply gorgeous now.
Read moreSkip Hadden: Remembering Tony Williams
Several years later I had the opportunity to work at the same club as the Tony Williams Lifetime when they were touring and playing the music that was on the “The OLD Bum’s Rush,” recording. He already had the big yellow Gretsch kit by this time with the 24” bass drum and multiple toms. Each night over the course of the week the band gelled better and on the final night it was truly amazing. The entire night was smoking; one tune would have been worth waiting the week to hear, let alone the whole night.
Read more1928-29 LUDWIG & LUDWIG MARBLE PEARL FAMILY
Ludwig & Ludwig introduced Marble Pearl in 1928 and per Rob Cook’s book Drum Colors The Rebeats Color Swatch Book. This finish was listed from 1928-29, pretty short-lived and very rare. Personally I love the “ugly” finishes from the 1920s-30s.
Read moreDrum History Podcast - Episode 6 - The History of Leedy Drums with Rob Cook
Rob Cook, founder of the Chicago Drum Show and Author of "The Complete History of Leedy Drums" and "The Leedy Way", gives us the complete history of the Leedy Drum Company. The amazing story begins with U.G. Leedy producing snare stands in his apartment in Indianapolis and evolves into becoming the largest manufacturer of drums in the world. Rob also teaches us about George Ways involvement in the rise and fall of Leedy.
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs's Back In Time Video Series - Pedal Cymbals
Part 2 uncovers another piece of the puzzle of how cymbals made their way from the orchestra to the rock band: the bass drum pedal and a device called a "clanger."
Read moreGuide To Vintage Drums - Leedy Strainers 1923 - 1965
1929-1930 was an important time for the Leedy Manufacturing Company. After the company was sold to Conn, the entire operation was moved from Indianapolis, Indiana to Elkhart, Indiana. The new Leedy company immediately introduced several important design changes which placed them firmly on the cutting edge of drum technology.
Read moreLudwig's Use of Paper Labels in 1971/1972 - Date Stamps and Date Codes
Ludwig's Use of Paper Labels in 1971/1972 - Date Stamps and Date Codes - Rick Gier sheds light on this mystery.
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs' Back In Time - Sound Effects, Episode 5 - Railroad Imitation with Bill Ludwig III
As a drum historian, Kelli has been collecting vintage and antique drum equipment, method books, photographs, and literature, creating a fine collection of resource material for a deeper understanding of the role her peers from 100 years ago played in the development of the drum set and how those innovations shaped the music we all listen to today. To help document her research, she has created a series of videos that address specific historical drum equipment.
Drum History Podcast: Episode 5 - Long Live The Speed King with Vincent Leef
Vincent Leef of Vitalizer Drums (formerly Polyphonic) is keeping the legacy alive by restoring Speed Kings and making them play like new. He shares the whole story of the pedal with us in this episode - from the journey through world war 2 through the 60's and 70's with Bonham and Ringo to its decline in the 2000's, and finally the current revitalization
Read more1929-30 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 5 x 14 DeLUXE ENGRAVED STANDARD-SENSITIVE MODEL
--For those of you that are not familiar with 1920s-30s “Sensitive” models, all that you have to remember is that the “Sensitive” mechanism is the set of snares that are internal and under the top head with the exception of the New Era-Sensitive that has two sets of internal Sensitive mechanisms.
Read more1940-41 Super Gene Krupa Radio King [1st Clamshell strainer] 8 x14
This is an 8“ x 14“ Slingerland Model 156 Super Gene Krupa Radio King snare drum in Black Diamond Pearl. Very special thanks to Brooks Tegler for his wonderful document explaining everything about this drum! Also, thanks to Mark Cooper of coopersvintagedrums.com; a great, educational vintage drum site.
Read moreOne of the Rarest Stands at Studio 3T
I never saw one of these in person and I never imagined I would ever own one, I’ve been looking for years.
Well, one popped up online and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
1960s Gretsch Progressive Jazz Set
“I like the smaller bass drums, although I look better behind a larger one. It's all bout the look, you know. Ringo looked good behind a 20" bass drum, but Abe Laboriel Jr. would not look good behind a 20" bass drum.”
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs' Early Drum Set Video Series, Episode 4 - Horse and Livery Sound Effects with Bill Ludwig III
A series about the sound effect instruments used in silent films 100 years ago, at that time known as "moving pictures," with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs and special guest, William F Ludwig III. The
Read more1914-1918 Ludwig & Ludwig 6.5 X14” 6-lug Scroll Engraved Black Beauty DeLuxe
The early 6.5 X 14” Black Beauties have increased in demand and value. Of these, the 6-lug engraved Ludwig & Ludwig Black Beauties are some of the earliest and rarest.
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