In the early 1900’s the proper term for a professional working drummer was a “Trap Drummer,” this was short for “contraption drummer.”
Read moreEarly Drummers' Traps, Chinese Toms, and Sound Effects
1943 Ludwig & Ludwig "Victory" Model 30" Bass Drum
Despite the poor condition it was in due to its age, once I saw the wooden lugs I knew that I had a diamond in the rough.
Read moreCast From the Jazz Age - 1920s Geisler cast aluminum snare drum
The shell you're looking at is cast aluminum, one piece, with a textured grey coating over the casting that has aged a century
Read more1927 Ludwig 5x14 Super Ludwig DeLuxe No.231 10 Lug Black Beauty Snare
When you look at the parallel snare system — what most people refer to as the Super-Sensitive mechanism — you’re seeing Ludwig trying to solve a very specific problem. Not volume. Not durability. Control.
Read moreThe Earliest Engraved Black Nickel Ludwig Snare?
I decided to take a gamble. A pretty big gamble, actually. I bid high, thinking there was at least a chance this mystery drum could be an early engraved Ludwig De Luxe/Black Beauty.
Read moreFrank Rice snare drum from James Parson
I believe it’s early 1900’s and with Chicago on the badge perhaps a custom drum from a Ludwig or Slingerland employee?
Read more1967 Ludwig Club Date set
My wife and I went to the Music City Drum Show this year held July 18-19 in Nashville, Tennessee at the fairground's exhibition center. We had a wonderful time and bought this very nice 1967 Ludwig Club Date set and matching snare that I want to tell you all about
Read more1928 Ludwig “Ludwigold” The “Rajah-Supreme” Trap Set
The Ludwigold finish was only available from 1927-1930, that’s why I am dating this set as 1928.
Read more2002 Jeff Ocheltree Paiste Bronze Drumset
When I heard rumors that Jeff was going to build complete Paiste 2002 drum sets I vowed that one day I would own one.
Read moreEdward Tucker's Catalog Corner 1916 Walberg & Auge
Inside we find a nice selection of early single drums, hardware and a huge plethora of individual sound mimicking instruments. The sound machines were extremely popular on the radio and live theatre stage shows, and if you had a great selection you probably got hired!
Read moreShow Us Your Vintage Drums - Reader Submissions
Guidelines for submitting to Show Us Your Drums
-Up to only three pictures of one drum, drumset, cymbal, plus a description, story, etc. per month
-Your email and other contact information you provide will be published unless you don’t want us to.
-No sales. The For Sale Section is for that.
From Editor George Lawrence
New Category!!! called “Show Us Your Vintage Drums” for anyone to post pictures of your vintage drums. No writing required but would be welcome.
Read moreJapan’s PEDAL Collection
It would not shock me if the Hoshino, Pearl, and Star pedal footboards were all an outsourced product from a single factory, with the rest of the parts being made in their own respective factories. Just another mystery to solve!
Read moreTwo 1930s Slingerland Green Trap Kits
The end of the 1920’s saw the Slingerland Banjo and Drum Company emerge as the largest family-owned drum manufacturer at that time.
Read more1926 Leedy Sparkling Gold 5 X 14 Professional Snare Drum
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 moreLeedy “MULTI” Snare Drum (c. 1923–1924)
By the early 1920s, the Leedy Manufacturing Company had fully evolved from its experimental beginnings into one of the defining forces in American percussion.
Read moreJapan’s Ode To Rogers
by the late 70’s the quality of Hoshino’s drums was getting closer the American classic Rogers…
Read moreThe Great Dyna-Sonic Development Conflict.
The two sides we will discuss here are the only two credible and available first-hand accounts of this Dyna-Sonic development. The Ben Strauss side and the Ellis Tollin side.
Read moreEdward Tuckers Catalog Corner-1950s Geo. Way Drums Inc
As many of you know, the Geo. Way Drums Co. would eventually evolve into Camco Drums, then DW.
Read more1929 Ludwig Winter Scene, 1929 Mountain and Lake Gold Sparkle Trap Sets
Let’s consider this month’s trap set examples as important steppingstones to the modern-day drum set.
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