This one has me stumped. I’m not an authority on DW even though I was a dealer since 1985 and bought one of the first kits made. I’m thinking this is one of the first, if not the first, badge of kits made in the Fender plant in Encenada Mexico.
Read moreDrummer Jon Wysocki founding member of the rock band Staind has died at 53
Jon Wysocki played on Staind’s first seven albums, which included the hits - ‘It’s Been Awhile’, ‘Outside’, ‘So Far Away’, ‘Right Here’, ‘Believe’, ‘Fade’, ‘For You’, and ‘Not Again’, among their numerous Platinum and Gold records. In total, Staind has released eight studio albums, three live albums, one compilation album, two video albums, 25 singles, and 18 music videos. In 2001, their third studio LP, “Break the Cycle,” debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Jon departed Staind in 2011 after their self-titled seventh album.
Read more1984 Brady 7 x14 Sheoak Block Snare Drum – with DW Hardware!
I kept in touch with Chris and when he told me he was going to the states and would be in New York, I asked him to bring me a snare. We met in N.Y.C., and I picked up my snare–an amazing Sheoak stave, (block), fitted with large DW (Camco) lugs and DW dual tension adjustment. It sounded fantastic. I’m not a scientist but I’m convinced that the thick Sheoak shell combined with the large, round lugs creates an outstanding snare sound. At the time I played a 1970’s Gretsch kit and the combination was fantastic.
Read more1937 (3703) LEEDY 6.5 x 14 FULL DRESS *ORIENTAL PEARL BROADWAY DUAL MODEL
*Collectors of the same 1930s era Ludwigs and Slingerlands know this finish as Abalone Pearl but Leedy chose to call their finish Oriental Pearl.
Read moreOn Drumming Well - Snare drum construction, timbre, heads and snare wires
My philosophy on snare drum tone and tuning is that the snare drum heads should be tuned as tight as possible, top and bottom. The shell will provide the most responsive and optimal tone with the heads tuned “tight as a drum”. Buddy Rich said, "I don't tune them, I tension them. There's a great difference” and, of course, he had the archetypical snare drum sound, especially after the advent of plastic heads.
Read moreI'll see you in the funny papers!
The guitarist was great, but the other members of the group had one pet peeve about him
Read moreSelf drumming car
Move over Tesla!
Read moreFunctional Guide to the Drum Set
Yes, we've preserved the traditional functions, but nowadays we prefer to do more with our instruments.
Read moreFrom Editor George Lawrence
Every drummer has their idiosyncrasies about their kit. We appreciate the offer to help, folks, but just wait ‘til we have it all packed up in the cases. That’s when the heavy lifting starts.
Read moreWilliam Henry “Chick” Webb: The Beat That Changed America by Ulysses Owens Jr.
But at the peak of his fame, at just 34 years of age, his life was cut short by the chronic spinal tuberculosis that had left him four feet tall with a hump on his back.”
Read more1969-1970 Gretsch Gold Snares
“The gold Gretsch snare was circa 69-70 and done right on the cusp of the transition from Round Badge to SSB.” -Steve Maxwell
Read moreThe History of WhiteHall Drums by Marc Patch
Whitehall was a brand from David Wexler & Co, a company which started in 1920 as a musical instrument distributor in Chicago. The early drums in the Wexler catalog were American made by Kent, but as time passed they were all made by Pearl.
Read more1928 Slingerland No. 123 Tone Flange Sea Green Artist Model
When I acquired this drum a few weeks back it arrived in its original hard case but it was missing the brass flange, ring and bearing edge screws. A friend suggested I ask Mike Curotto.
Read moreNoble & Cooley introduces very first Signature Snare drum
The oldest drum company in America introduces “U” created and designed in collaboration with Ulysses Owens Jr. - the three-time Grammy Award winning drummer and Juilliard educator. With his students in mind, Ulysses wanted a snare drum that was both high quality, yet affordable.
Read more1930s Ludwig Standard Snare Re-issue and anatomy of a two piece shell
In 2009, I saw an ad for a 1930’s Ludwig Standard 5 x 14 snare drum re-issue. Adrian Kirchler, owner of AK Drums in Valdaora di Sotto Italy, was making 60 replicas of this 2-piece shell snare. Even though I heard about it late, I was able to get on the list to purchase one through Long & McQuade, a musical instrument store in Toronto.
Read moreRemembering Joe Montineri
Joseph Paul Montineri, March 23, 1951 – April 24, 2024
If the modern era of boutique drum making has a father, it’s Joe Montineri. -Phil Hood in DRUM! magazine
My Favorite Things
Over the years, I acquired many collectable drums, cymbals, stands and pedals, percussion instruments, gadgets, etc. I have gone through two “purges” of selling my collections. What’s left are my favorite things - some new, some old.
Read moreCompound or Odd, That is the Question
Ask a musician what kind of time signature is 9/8 and you’ll no doubt get the answer, it’s compound time.
Read more1927-30 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 5 x 15 GOLD PLATED SUPER-LUDWIG THEATER MODEL
The entire drum is bright gold plated. L & L did offer gold plating as an option so this drum could be a special order or the drum may have been plated after market.
Read moreBob Gatzen Memorial
Hello drummers:
Many of you knew Bob Gatzen and Creative Music, a great drum shop in Wethersfield, CT, back in the old days, so wanted to pass on notice of his memorial service.
Trevor Davis
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