ASBA is one of the few french brands known all over the world. The "Caroline" bass drum pedal was distributed internationally and played by Mitch Mitchell, John Robinson, and Mike Baird. This pedal was developed with French drummer Daniel Humair. Caroline was his daughter's first name. ASBA also developed other innovative products: a fiberglass drum kit, a cork wrap drum kit and the "Linda" model drum kit with 45° cut shell !
The brand :
This brand was created in 1928 by Alfred and Simone BOUDARD. Pre-war, ASBA produced accessories for musical instruments (music stand, trumpet mute, instruments stand, etc...). It was only after WWII that ASBA began to produce drums and percussions and eventually became internationally successful ! A.S.B.A is the acronym of Alfred Simone Boudard Accessories, and was located in Limeil Brévannes (near Paris). The brand disappeared unfortunately in 1983.
This drum kit :
This drum kit dates from the late 50s and has a nesting floor tom which is rare! The drums are metric sizes: 31cm / 38,2cm / 53cm or 12.2" / 15.03" / 20.86" because ASBA produced international dimensions drums from 63/64 ... African okume wood four ply shell, with reinforcing rings and 30° bearing edge, chrome over brass lugs, stick saver hoops, rounded and slotted heads rods. ASBA had several badges, and that of the 50s is less known than the famous ASBA badge of the late 60s and 70s.
A beautiful restored drum set that can be played again !
Best,
Emmanuel
olDrums Vintage & Custom
http://www.oldrums.fr/
Emmanuel Giraudon