FROM IRELAND- A HOLY GRAIL! 1924 4X15 LUDWIG BRASS CONCERT DANCE MODEL SNARE DRUM

 

originally published August 2014

When I was living and playing in Santa Barbara, Ca.in the early 80s, I borrowed a snare drum from a friend, Brad Wisham, whose nickname is “Squid”. It was a 1920s Ludwig chrome over brass 4 x 15 Theatre model and it was one of the best sounding snare drums I have ever played and heard.

I used it on several recordings and a bunch of gigs and I really hated to have to return it to Brad. I searched for one for thirty years and I came upon a few that were either in bad shape or just did not have the sound of that particular drum. In 2010 a guy walked into my drum shop in Akron Ohio with one of them, an eight lug model, that he said he had been using as a door stop (sacrilege!). I ended up trading him a new Ludwig wood drum for it. After fixing it up and putting decent heads and snares on it, Eureka! It sounded just like Brad’s. Brad’s drum had a certain low end sound that I had never heard any other drum produce, and it was just a rich and very responsive brass drum at any tuning.  I have used mine extensively on recordings. It’s all over the new Poco record. It does have a few minor dings and a couple of extra holes and the wrong strainer, but I am always more concerned with the sound than the originality, so I'm not changing a thing. You can’t tell it's not all original through the speakers! ☺

Benny Yurco of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals playing my snare at Dan Auerbach's studio

During the process of selling a multi – sparkle WFL snare to Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, I took several other drums along just to show him some of my better sounding snares. He really liked this 4 x 15. I told him it wasn’t for sale but I would try to find one for him. This time it didn’t take thirty years. A few weeks later I stumbled across one on the internet that an Irishman named Andy Hilton was selling. I knew from the description that he knew what he had and that it would be as good sounding as mine. He wrote;

“It is with some reluctance that today I offer up my circa 1924 Ludwig Nickel over Brass Concert Dance model snare drum. This is a very rare piece indeed, yet I am happy to say is as usable today as it was eighty eight odd years ago. It features the legendary two piece shell construction, the process renowned the world over for giving the "Black Beauties" of the era their unmistakable sound. Indeed the NOBs and the BBs are effectively the same drum by virtue of this shell configuration. This drum is 15" by 4" and is a ten tube lugged model. All parts are original to the drum other than heads and snare wires/cord. It has been very well treated over its lifetime, there are no defects to the parts, no cracked clips or lugs. The single flange hoops are in round and sit flat. The snare mechanism works perfectly and the drum tunes up fantastically easily. It shows a fair degree of patina, I have only ever given it a light rub down and oiling to the threads and snare mechanism. There is a degree of nickel loss to the shell, lugs and hoops. The photographs should make this evident.

Andy and Gary at the scene of the crime

I would suspect that if you are reading this you will already know what to expect from this drum. Brevity impels me... Probably the finest sounding Orchestral or Studio snare you are ever likely to encounter, from the most articulate buzz to the throatiest crack imaginable, the best snare I have ever played bar none. And then there are the brushes...”

Don’t you just love descriptions like that? I contacted him and we came to an agreement. The shipping was going to be expensive and he was going to have to drive to England to ship it because UPS did not go as far as his town. As luck would have it, my friend Gary Asher, one of the foremost drum collectors of all time!!!!, was traveling in the British Isles and was going to be in Dublin the very next day, which was just a fairly short drive for Andy.

The drum was hungry

Gary agreed to pick up the drum and hand deliver it to me. You have to understand Gary Asher’s exuberant personality to appreciate how he proceeded from that point. I call Gary “the cheerleader of the drum collecting world”. He was manager of Nuncie’s Music in Huntsville Alabama for years where he started collecting and built an amazing museum of vintage drums and sets within the store. After Nuncie’s he started drumschool.com where he teaches many, many students .

The drum was also thirsty

Gary’s collection has taken over his house. You can’t walk ten feet without running into a drum set, most of them rare or special. Gary is one of the most positive, upbeat, gracious and sincere men I’ve ever met. He is also funny and never quits smiling and laughing. He makes many trips around the country often to all the drum shows and to stores and other collectors. I knew Gary was going to take this one all the way to ten. I started receiving email pics from Gary.

I don't know. It just sounded dirty

The first was of him and Andy with the drum when they met in Dublin. Then there came the one with a chicken sandwich sitting on top of the drum with the message “The drum was hungry”.  The next one had a mug of ale on top of the drum with the message “ the drum was thirsty”. Then he sent me one of the drum in the overhead bin of the plane. Then it became an entire travelog of this drum's journey.

The drum made it into the overhead bin

I was out of town when he was going to be in Nashville to deliver the drum so he left it with Gary Forkum at Fork’s Drum Closet and I picked it up a few days later. The drum was in excellent condition. No dents or dings. You could tell that the drum had been well taken care of and regularly cleaned and polished. Some of the brass was showing through the nickel chrome from 90 years of polishing. It looked soulful and sounded great and I was anxious to compare it with my drum.

The drum tried to make a break for Rome

My drum was sitting at Dan Auerbach’s recording studio. I had loaned it to him while he and Pat Carney were cutting Black Keys tracks. Pat played mine and really liked it.  I took the “Irish Drum” over to Dan’s studio and AB’d them.  Bingo again! It had the same throatiness and resonance that mine has.

Ah, yes...the Big Apple

The only difference between the two drums is that Dan’s is the deluxe ten lug model while mine is the standard eight lug.I could tell a slight pitch difference between the ten lug and the eight lug but it had “that” sound;  a big throatiness that is hard to define. I would characterize it as the sound of the Norwegian Army coming over the hill. Don’t ask me where I got that. I don’t even know if Norway has an Army! I haven’t heard back from Dan or Pat since I delivered it but I hope they like it.

My 15 inch Ludwig Cob - the Doorstop

These Ludwig drums have the double flanged bearing edges that are welded back to the shell and a very deep crimped snare bed. The 14” models don’t sound like the 15” models for some reason. I speculate that it is just the right combination of tube lugs, the welded edges, the way the snare beds seat the snares, and the dimensions of the drum all working in unison as one vibrating source that makes it sound the particular way it does. Every one who has ever played mine has been very surprised at the greater degree of tone and resonance that this particular drum has compared to other brass drums. Now, I wonder where the next one is?

George Lawrence

Ludwig 4x14 Deluxe, circa 1923

NEW VINTAGE DRUM MUSEUM EXHIBIT

Category: 

George Lawrence – Life’s Little Drumming Lessons

Published on Tuesday, 14 August 2012 21:49

Written by George Lawrence

1923 Ludwig Deluxe 4x 14

1923 Ludwig 4x14 Deluxe

John Pezzano has graciously presented the first vintage drum to the NSMD Vintage Drum Museum. It is on indefinite loan from the Pezzano family. The Pezzanos lent this drum before to original NSMD publisher John Aldridge and it was displayed in his office museum at Sound Check rehearsal studios until 2002.

John wrote an article about it in NSMD. Here is his description of the drum:

“Ludwig 4x14 Deluxe, Circa 1923

Simple Scroll Engraving pattern

Copper plated, simulated gold finished hardware

Standard (#338) Strainer

Calfskin Drumheads

This Ludwig DeLuxe is a very clean example of its kind, in very good condition. It is especially noteworthy that the drum is still set up in a historically correct manner, having not been changed from the typical configuration of calf heads and strung snares which were the standard throughout the 1920s. Having been used by the original owner and put into storage within 10 years of its manufacture, the drum is overall in very good condition. All tube lugs, collar hooks, tension rods and washers are intact and complete. There is no external damage other than normal wear. The original Bottom head is intact, but the top head was replaced at some time in the very late 1920s. The shape of the flesh hoop in the top head is square as opposed to the rounded exterior contour of the original bottom head flesh hoop.”

We are very grateful to the Pezzanos for letting us display this piece of drumming history in our museum. The first exhibit of the drum will be at the Nashville Drum Show, September 29 & 30. The Vintage Drum Museum is a non profit organization dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of drums. We are currently looking for a building to house the museum. Please become a patron and donate.

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Bob Girouard: Never Give Up

In my high school study hall, I was reading the latest issue of Downbeat featuring Max Roach, Frank Capp, and Bobby Colomby who were featured on the cover. Bob Girouard noticed it immediately and asked if he could check it out. That very 1960s moment was the beginning of a lifelong friendship… We started talking drums, and the rest is History.

"Bob is an inspiration for all of us. His career has covered a lot of ground and his drive and love of drumming is something we can all learn from." - Rob Wallis

Over the years, I have seen Bob go through good times and bad. Musicians know the struggles to succeed. Bob understood this perfectly, yet never gave up. When stricken with Parkinson’s disease in 2003, the challenge became even greater. With each passing day, the God given drumming talents that Bob possessed were slowly fading away.

Previous to being diagnosed, Bob worked steadily with a number of successful groups. His greatest notoriety came with the band Forest. They toured on the East Coast circuit with a potent line-up of truly amazing musicians. At one point they were ready to sign with MCA records. A sudden change in company management caused the deal to fall through. It was a painful moment for the band so Forest took the master tapes and released their album independently. Although recorded in the 1970’s, their music remains fresh and vibrant to this very day. They were recently featured on the Atomic radio network with a Forest retrospective, coupled with live interviews. Based on listener calls, Forest’s album continues to be popular in both Germany and Japan.

I first met Bob Girouard when I was The Band's Road Manager in the 1990s. Bob worked for the City of Albany promoting cultural events. Being a drummer, Bob of course loved Levon Helm. Bob truly believed in the Brotherhood of the Drum, and still does to this day. He would book any band that Levon was part of, out of love and respect, plus a strong desire to be near Levon and Randy Ciarlante, our second drummer. His incredible devotion to drummers, drumming and good music is legendary in our circles. As Levon got sick, and our bookings dropped off, due to the fact that he wasn't singing Band songs, Bob never wavered. He would book Levon and the Barnburners (Levon's blues band) whenever he could. Oftentimes this helped Levon pay his mortgage.  As Bob got sick himself, and his ability to drum waned, he took up writing about drummers. His devotion and loyalty to the brotherhood of the drum stayed strong. As my late friend Richie Hayward got sick, Bob wrote eloquently to help Richie's cause. After Richie passed Bob's eulogy was the most touching I ever read. Levon's health also declined and, whenever possible, Bob's writing would boost Levon's spirit and help in his struggle to live. Bob's devotion to drumming and drummers wasn't reserved for the big stars. Bob championed lesser known drummers, and always promoted quality music everywhere. Now Bob has resumed drumming even after brain surgery, and during his life's struggles. I, and the Brotherhood of the Drum, salute Bob Girouard's courage, strength and devotion.

Long may he wave.

Respectfully & Gratefully Butch Dener The Band (ret.)

A large contingent of upstate New York bands gathered to honor Bob with a fundraiser- “Boogie for Bob” to help defray his medical costs. The remaining portion, was donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease research.

Over 300 people attended the venue to help the cause. All the groups donated their performances.

“Boogie For Bob” featured:

• Hair of the Dog: Famed Irish, roots and rock band, and a major draw in the Northeast.
• Aged in the Hills: A Country institution since 1978 *Note: This was Bob's first drumming affiliation when he moved to NY from Mass. in 1986. The band charted in the top 20 nationally with the single, "Cafe Romance," B/W "Cajun Two-Step."
• Ernie Williams Band: In honor of the late "Ambassador of the Blues", they performed. Ernie was a fixture on the local/national blues scene for decades...opening several times for the recently departed, B.B. King.
• Blues House Rockers: Featuring the creme de la creme of blues musicians in the Albany, New York region. They have played with blues/rock icons Little Feat, and Delbert McClinton.
• Diva and the Dirty Boys/Urban Gumbo: An exciting blend of the best traditional R&B musicians w/classic covers, then morphing into Urban Gumbo, segueing into songs from the brand new 2015 album, "Hard Times for Love”, (of which Bob co-produced and played drums).
• Forest: Throughout the 70s one of New England's most critically acclaimed bands. A mainstay in clubs, colleges, and concert halls… It was an original sound that meshed the popular genres of the era: blues, rock, country and jazz, a hybrid between the Allman Brothers, Doobie Bros, Steve Miller, and Steely Dan, with some of the finest musicians to ever come out of Western Mass. Musically, no matter what he's done since, Bob's history begins and ends with this band. According to Bob:  "They'll never be another band like Forest...the brotherhood, the musicality, and the respect between each other as people."

Bob played and sang a few tunes throughout the show, although his condition made it difficult, His sheer determination helped him get through it. The event was a fitting tribute to a musician who continues to be loved by many.

"An excellent musician and accomplished writer...THE G-MAN RULES!! I'm proud to call him one of my best friends..." - Dino Danelli

As Bob’s disease continued to advance, he was determined to find another way to stay musically involved. He began writing for Classic Drummer, and Elmore Magazine, and is now writing for Modern Drummer; In 2013 he wrote the cover article on Dino Danelli. Another gathering of Forest alumni is scheduled for later this year, and all proceeds will be donated to the foundation for Parkinson’s research.

Bob Girouard is more determined than ever to keep on fighting. Even after recent brain surgery and a daily regimen of numerous medications, music is a constant presence in his life; he continues to remain optimistic about the future.

With a friendship that goes back over 45 years, Bob recently requested this author become a permanent member of the Forest family.

Musical Artists Interviewed by Bob Girouard:  (2005-present)

• Carmine Appice ( drummer, Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart)
• Max Weinberg ( drummer, Bruce Springsteen, Conan O’Brien
• Kenny Aronoff (drummer, John Mellencamp, John Fogerty)
• Brian Auger (Brian Auger’s Express)
• Charlie Adams drummer,(Yanni)
• Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel)
• Johny Barbata (drummer, The Turtles, Jefferson Airplane)
• George Brown (drummer, Kool & The Gang)
• Clem Burke (drummer, Blondie)
• Pete Best (original drummer, The Beatles)
• Hal Blaine (Session/drumming great: The Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers, Sonny & Cher, etc.)
• Gary “U.S.” Bonds (R&B Great)
• Deborah Bonham( sister of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham)
• David Brigati (vocalist, Joey Dee and the Starlighters)
• Eddie Brigati (vocalist, The Rascals)
• Paul Barrere (guitarist/vocalist, Little Feat)
• George Frayne (Commander Cody of Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen)
• Jeff Chonis (drum technician to Ringo Starr, drummer for The Beatles)
• Doug Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival’s drummer and now CCR Revisited)
• Aaron Comess (drummer, The Spin Doctors)
• Gene Cornish (guitarist, The Rascals)
• Bobby Colomby (producer/drummer: Blood Sweat & Tears)
• Larry Campbell (multi-instrumentalist/band leader Levon Helm Band)
• Felix Cavaliere (organist/lead vocalist, The Rascals)
• Mickey Curry (drummer, Bryan Adams)
• Micky Dolenz (drummer/vocalist The Monkees)
• Kal David (guitarist/vocalist The Fabulous Rhinestones)
• Burleigh Drummond (drummer, Ambrosia)
• Liberty DeVitto (drummer, Billy Joel)
• Dennis Diken (drummer, Smithereen’s)
• Dino Danelli (drummer, The Rascals)
• Grahame Edge (drummer, The Moody Blues)
• Steve Gadd (drummer, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Eric Clapton)
• David Garibaldi (drummer, Tower of Power)
• Sandy Gennaro (drummer, teacher: Cyndi Lauper, The Monkees, Pat Travers Band)
• Steve Gorman (drummer, The Black Crowes)
• Richie Hayward (drummer, Little Feat)
• Levon Helm (drummer, vocalist, actor: The Band, Levon Helm Band)
• John Hiatt (singer, songwriter)
• Brendan Hill (drummer, Blues Traveler)
• Graham Hopkins (drummer, Motion Picture and Broadway musical, “Once”)
• Don Imus (Radio & TV Personality)
• Jai Johanny Johanson “Jaimoe” (drummer, Allman Brothers Band)
•  Kenney Jones (drummer, The Faces, The Who)
• Harold Jones (drummer, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga)
• Simon Kirk (drummer, Free, Bad Company)
• Jim Keltner (drummer, George Harrison, Joe Cocker, The Travelling Willbury’s)
• Gordy Knudtson (drummer, Steve Miller Band)
• Russ Kunkel (drummer, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt)
• Will Lee (bassist, David Letterman Show, The Fab Faux)
• Terry Lickona (producer, Austin City Limits TV Show)
• Corky Laing (drummer, Mountain, Corky Laing’s Memory Thieves
• Chris Layton (drummer, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble
• Lyle Lovett (musician, actor)
• Jim McCarty (drummer, The Yardbirds)
• Sir Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings)
• Delbert McClinton (R&B Great)
• Neil Peart (drummer, Rush)
• Slim Jim Phantom (drummer, Stray Cats, Dead Men Walking)
• Prairie Prince (drummer, The Tubes)
• Shawn Pelton (drummer, Saturday Night Live)
• Dick Peterson (drummer, The Kingsmen)
• Simon Phillips (drummer, Jack Bruce, The Who, Pete Townsend, Toto)
• George G. Receli (drummer, Bob Dylan)
• Cathy Rich (daughter of Buddy Rich and owner of Buddy Rich drum company)
• Paul T. Riddle (drummer, Marshall Tucker Band)
• Rick Shlosser (drummer, Boz Scaggs, Juice Newton)
• Tommy Shannon (bassist, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble)
• Denny Seiwell (drummer, Paul McCartney & Wings)
• Paul Shaffer (keyboardist, composer, musical director, David Letterman Show)
• Yonrico Scott (drummer, Royal Southern Brotherhood)
• Gina Schock (drummer, The Go Go’s)
• Danny Seraphine (drummer, Chicago, and California Transit Authority)
• Neal Smith (drummer, Alice Cooper)
• Floyd Sneed (drummer, Three Dog Night)
• John Steel (drummer, The Animals)
• Ronnie Tutt (drummer, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison)
• Fred Tackett (guitarist/vocalist, Little Feat)
• Roger Taylor (drummer, Queen)
• Butch Trucks (drummer, Allman Brothers Band)
• Derek Trucks (guitarist, Tedeschi-Trucks band)
• Steven Van Zandt (guitarist/vocalist/actor, Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band, Little Steven’s “Underground Garage,” The Sopranos)
• Chris Vatalaro (drummer/percussionist, Antibalas, Bat for Lashes, Imogean Heap, Brian Eno)
• Rob Wallis (CEO Hudson Music)
• James (“The Worm”) Wormworth (drummer, Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band) Conan O’Brien TV show