The Leedy and Ludwig 4.5” x 14” Broadway New Era Snare Drum

April 1, 2024 Danny Bilan

In 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.

1954 Leedy & Ludwig 6.5"x14" Dance Model Snare Drum

February 29, 2024 James Anzelone

Here 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.

Rare Leedy Cymbal Tryout Stand

December 26, 2023 Edward Tucker

“Cymbal Tryout Stand” for POS (point of sale) Leedy Drum Dealer countertop use and display.

1950s Leedy & Ludwig Knob Tension Kit

November 27, 2023 John Floyd

Here 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.

1938 LEEDY 6.5 x 14 GOLD SPARKLE BROADWAY PARALLEL SNARE DRUM

August 31, 2023 Mike Curotto

There 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.

Leedy & Ludwig Zebra finish

August 31, 2023 George Lawrence

The ad is from the Sept. 10, 1952 issue of Downbeat Magazine

1920s Leedy Elites Family Portrait

July 31, 2023 Mike Curotto

Certain 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.

Ludwig/Slingerland/Leedy orphan set - rare sparkling pearls

October 31, 2022 Mark Steven

Like 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.

1951 Leedy & Ludwig 5x14 Autographs of the Stars Broadway Standard

October 30, 2022 Mike Curotto

…how did this Leedy wrap from 1940-41 end up on a 1951 Leedy & Ludwig snare drum?

1925- LEEDY 5 x 15 NOB MULTI-MODEL *MARVEL MODEL

September 30, 2022 Mike Curotto

*A little Marvel Model history from Rob Cook's book THE LEEDY WAY: "The
Marvel Snare Strainer was Leedy's first attempt at a strainer that would
keep the snares under tension when released.

1924 - 1926 Leedy ‘Paisley Gold’ Professional Model Snare Drum - Finish : Paisley Gold (Uncatalogued) Size : 5 x 14

March 30, 2022 Chris Ardoin

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There are two known examples of this particular Leedy finish on snares. The first first example belongs to Mike Curotto, which was previously referred to as "Antique Wallpaper", given the pattern and nature of the material, and the second being this featured drum only recently uncovered in October of 2021. It is also understood that there is an example of a bass drum that was seen however not documented to my knowledge as of this writing. The shell and wrap on these drums are what makes them so unique.

1938 Leedy Broadway with Rare 4 Point Strainer

November 30, 2021 James Anzelone

Here is a great example of a 1938 Leedy Broadway Standard in white marine pearl. Leedy only offered this unique 4-point strainer on these models for one year. This snare was special ordered with ornate engraved rims. All hardware was ordered and upgraded to the optional chrome plating. Chrome plating was more expensive than nickel for the upgrade.

Clown Vomit/Frog-in-a Blender finishes, past and present

July 31, 2021 Mike Curotto

I saw this one at a NAMM Show in the late 1990s, maybe early 2000s. At that time Leedy was trying for some type of comeback. I got the drum from Sam Bacco who at the time was associated with Leedy. He told me that he located one long-lost piece of this material from Slingerland and there was enough material left over to make a Leedy Broadway Standard snare drum. Sam told me that the finish was made with melted guitar picks (you can see some un-melted guitar picks in the finish).

Circa 1928 Leedy 5x14 Jade Green Pearl Snare Drum

March 29, 2021 Bob Campbell

I’d like to start this story by both thanking and blaming Mark Cooper (Coopers Vintage Drums) J. Many years ago, I met Mark at one of the Chicago Drum Shows. He was sharing his fabulous collection of vintage green-wrapped drums from Slingerland and Leedy.

1936 Leedy & Strupe (L&S) Drum Kit

January 31, 2021 Bob Campbell

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One day in late 2020, I was doing my usual browsing through vintage drum-related social media posts and came across a 1936 Leedy & Strupe (L&S) white marine pearl drum kit for sale. This L&S kit consisted of a white marine pearl 14 x 28” bass drum (with calf heads), 9 x 13” tom (tacked bottom head), 6.5 X 14” snare, cowbell, and various hardware (original L&S bass drum pedal, hi-hat with lamb wool beater, Clamp-Rite trap holders, spurs). According to Harry Cangany (noted author, drum historian), this kit was, “a ‘Dictator’ model in white pearl (L&S name for white marine pearl)…1936 is probably correct.”

1950s Leedy Ludwig Refinished Recording Outfit

January 31, 2021 Mark Steven

This wonderful old wood kit consisting of 14x22 bass drum, 8X12 and 9x13 toms, 16x16 floor tom and the great cracking 5x14 Utility snare drum is the recording kit of studio dreams.

1936 LEEDY 6.5 x 14 ORIENTAL PEARL/FULL DRESS BROADWAY DUAL MODEL (No. 2182)

October 29, 2020 Mike Curotto

A word about Leedy Oriental Pearl vs. Ludwig & Ludwig Abalone Pearl: Personally I think the two finishes are one in the same…

WWII Restriction 1943-1944 Leedy Dreadnaught Victor Set In White Marine Pearl

August 31, 2020 Edward Tucker

Please 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.

Drum History Podcast - Episode 6 - The History of Leedy Drums with Rob Cook

August 31, 2020 Bart van der Zee

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.

Guide To Vintage Drums - Leedy Strainers 1923 - 1965

August 31, 2020 Mark Cooper

1929-1930 was an important time for the Leedy Manufacturing Company. After the company was sold to Conn, the entire operation was moved from Indianapolis, Indiana to Elkhart, Indiana. The new Leedy company immediately introduced several important design changes which placed them firmly on the cutting edge of drum technology.

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