Drummer community & drum marketplace
The first vintage & Custom Drum Magazine, since 1988
As the kick drum bag contained an inventory identifying the kit as having a matching jazz fest from an original sale in Milwaukee, I immediately wondered, what happened to the matching jazz fest?
Read moreThis is an probably an early [c.1930] Slingerland Tone Flange 5" x 14" [5&1/2" with the aluminum tone flange] in solid walnut with solid maple glue rings.
Read moreMany collectors place a premium on “born together” drum sets - sets which were originally purchased as one unit from the factory or music instrument retailer. This study identifies vintage Gretsch Round Badge sets demonstrated or purported to be born together to establish an objective benchmark for determining that a set of drums was born together.
Read more
In 1978-79 Slingerland put together a new campaign to reissue the Radio King model. This time, the new Radio King was made exclusively as a limited edition snare drum model.
Read morethe original owner, custom ordered this set in late 1969 and received it in 1970 from Chanute, Kansas.
Read more
I still consider this the "gold standard" of all brass snare drums in sound and feel.
Read moreStrolling Through History - I like to do research, and I can tell you a little bit about each of the drums in my “collection”. Aside from the details of the drums, I've learned a lot about history, culture, tradition ... even economics and interpersonal relationships. It's also broadened my understanding and appreciation of the history and culture behind drums.
Before its restoration, this instrument was brutalized : metric shell "badly resized" to have a 14", 10 extra-holes, totally flat bearing edges (1cm large), white painted shell interior (wood and screws), like gray painted hoops and nailed wrap... Just an horrible handyman !!…
A word about Leedy Oriental Pearl vs. Ludwig & Ludwig Abalone Pearl: Personally I think the two finishes are one in the same…
Read moreIt’s Halloween time and I am featuring a spooky "dark side" set of Rogers drums for your enjoyment.
Read moreA friend of mine had come across a set of mismatched champagne sparkle drums that included a Gretsch round badge 5x14 name band snare drum, 8x12 tom and 14x14 floor tom…
Read moreAnother 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 moreHere's a beautiful Rogers Red Oynx kit that was found in a barn…
Read moreKelli 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 moreOne 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 moreAs 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 morePlease 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 moreSeveral 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 moreLudwig & 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 more
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 more
