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The first vintage & Custom Drum Magazine, since 1988
In 1926, the Leedy Drum Company was first to introduce Pyralin, a nitrocellulose 'plastic' finish on its drum offerings. The first two colours introduced were Sparkling Gold, and the more popular White Marine Pearl.
Read moreBy the early 1920s, the Leedy Manufacturing Company had fully evolved from its experimental beginnings into one of the defining forces in American percussion.
Read moreDrums from the early 1910s were working instruments, subjected to years of use, modification, and repair.
Read moreThis set is an impeccable example of a 1930-39 trap kit that shows the changes and innovations that were quickly occurring to the drum set.
Read moreI decided to write an article covering this to help people identify the three different generations of this parallel throw-off and the versions.
Read moreThe insert highlighted in my column this month is one of the earliest known examples. It was actually in the 1909 Leedy edition as well as their 1910.
Read moreThis snare drum is a rare 1950s Leedy & Ludwig White Marine Pearl 5” x14”, Broadway model with a solid 1-ply maple shell.
Read moreIn today’s corner I present to you one of the rarest catalogs from one of the most difficult eras to find any drum catalog from, early 1940s World War II.
Read moreI got this rare drum from Bill Wanser of Olympic Drums & Percussion. Bill also pointed out a Ludwig Drummer magazine article that places Rose Pearl at 1929, this aligns perfectly as the Standard-Sensitive model was first seen in 1929. Bill agrees that this was an uncatalogued finish, L & L obviously had the material but it was never seen in a catalog, only in a Ludwig Drummer Magazine article.
Read moreEdward Tucker revives the "Catalog Corner" column which Harry Cangany for so many years. Catalogs are so important the vintage drum collectors. Thank you, Edward, for sharing your large catalog collection and your knowledge of vintage drums!
Read more*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 moreIn 2010, I purchased a 4.5 x 14 White Marine Pearl Broadway New Era snare drum from Soul Drums in Toronto. Over the course of time, I traded the drum to Century Drums, previously located in Toronto, for another drum. I regretted that decision and kept my eye out for a chance to buy another one. Luckily just last year, Soul Drums had another 4.5 x 14 Broadway New Era snare only this time in Red Sparkle finish. I’m not parting with this one.
Read moreHere is a great example of a 1954 Leedy & Ludwig 6.5”x14” Dance Model snare drum in white marine pearl finish in outstanding condition without any blemishes.
Read more“Cymbal Tryout Stand” for POS (point of sale) Leedy Drum Dealer countertop use and display.
Read moreHere we have a nice example of an early 1950’s Leedy and Ludwig Knob Tension kit. This unique outfit first appeared in the 1951 catalog and made its last appearance in 1953.
Read moreThere were a few gremlins that the previous owner neglected to tell Mark about. The worst was that the two strainer thumb wheels were forced on, cross-threaded and frozen in place. This is when you need a good machinist or friend. In this case my good friend Al Schneider (the original Drum Doctor est. 1963) came to the rescue.
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The ad is from the Sept. 10, 1952 issue of Downbeat Magazine
Read moreCertain shell depths are more rare than others. The 5 x 14 is the most common size. It is a toss-up between the 4 x 14 and 6 x 14 as to the 2nd most rare of the Elite sizes, but the rarest of all is the 7 x 14 Elite.
Read moreLike many of you, I've come upon a good number of orphan drums through the years of collecting, buying and playing. This kit consists of orphan drums that were either included with kits purchased or just purchased to add on. But some with the hopes to piece an entire kit together (which is still possible!). But what is special about these drums is that they are all very rare and hard to find sparkling pearl wraps in pristine condition by the Great American Drum Companies of yesteryear.
Read more…how did this Leedy wrap from 1940-41 end up on a 1951 Leedy & Ludwig snare drum?
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