I realize this flea market is open to more than just percussion but usually quite a number of drum people show up for the show. I myself will be a 'drum' vendor there. -Emory Grodek
Church Find: 1970s Ludwig Smoky Vistalite "Big Beat" Set w Black Beauty
The drums are Big Beat sizes 22" bass, 12" and 13" mounted toms, and a 16" floor tom. The snare was another story. I could tell it was a 1970s Black Beauty. Ludwig re-introduced the Black beauty snare in the late 1970s. They made Supraphonics both 5" and 6.5" and Super Sensitives 5" and 6.5". I don't know how many of each one they made. I'm sure that information is available. If you have one, they are great snares to own and very collectible. The snare was missing parts and the heads were taped up and cloth applied to kill any snare drum sound the poor drum tried to make. I could tell this drum was a diamond in the ruff.
1960s Slingerland Artist model snare drum
In 1963 the Slingerland Drum Company introduced a new snare drum to their drum line. This snare was cataloged and advertised as the new Modern Artist model. Previously, Slingerland used the Artist model name on their earlier snare drum line from 1928 to approximately 1935. Some of these first models were hand engraved and very ornate. They were made with ten tube lugs and both solid wood and brass shells.
Read MoreQuestion about a Wilson Brothers snare
I happened upon this 3x13 Wilson Bros steel(?) snare at a free sale. I searched it and the first hit was an NSMD post . Perfect.
The calfskin batter head could be original. The calfskin res head is trash. There’s a snare adjuster but no throw off. The wires are probably functional. There’s probably missing floating lugs but I don't know how many there should be. Except for some dust this is how I got it.
You’ve always been a good source of info. What’s your take on this thing?
NSMD is my favorite email. I read it cover to cover.
Thanks in advance for any any info you can pass my way.
What's this worth? Leedy & Ludwig vintage kit
and more information about a Leedy and Ludwig drum set that I have. I have a few pictures I can forward to you that might help. It has a beautiful hand painted windmill scene painted on the bass drum. I believe it is from the 1930s belonging to my grandfather, I have a picture of him sitting at it. Very special.
Read MoreJ F Martin 1838 Field Drum?
Anyone have any info on this field drum?
Read MorePercussion-Creative Looking for vintage drum photos for "genesis" of drums poster
We are writing to you because we are currently working on a poster about the genesis of drums and drumming and are looking for photos that we may officially use on this poster, which we wanna release December 2019.
Read More1926-27 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 4 x 14 “STIPELSILVER” (uncatalogued) DANCE MODEL
The drum in this article has a “Stipelsilver” finish, same texture as Stipelgold but with a bright silver hue. I believe that this drum is a one-off/special order for a few reasons that I will explain
Read More1952 WFL Porto-Pak Outfit No. 986P in Sparkling Red Pearl
So here is one I hope you all can dig and my latest addition to the collection:
An immaculate 1952 WFL Porto-Pak Outfit No. 986P in Sparkling Red Pearl with era correct additional floor tom ordered with set. This was an estate sale treasure find!
1940-43 SLINGERLAND 7 x 14 SILVER SPARKLE HOLLYWOOD ACE MODEL RADIO KING
Hi all,
Well, Mark Cooper comes through again with this excellent example of a Silver Sparkle Model Hollywood Ace Radio King. Mark finds a lot of Radio Kings that are always in very good-excellent condition. This one will be added to the “Mark Cooper” wing of the Curotto Collection.
Read MoreThe Smithsonian Museum seeks our help documenting this vintage drum
My name is Caroline Bowers and I am working for the Music and Performing Arts department at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Culture. We are currently working on researching an object that the museum accessioned in 2007 and we have little information on. I found your website online and was hoping that your network of drum experts may be able to assist us.
Read MoreMichael Shrieve and a Super Classic (w video)
Imagine being a young 20-year-old drummer on tour for the first time playing to large audiences that were not familiar with your band, as the record had not come out yet………… and as fate would have it, the song that included your drum solo spot was put into the final cut of the movie known as Woodstock; 3 days of peace love and music.
Read MoreA Rare Slingerland Radio King 5x14 Brass Shell Snare Drum
Here is a wonderful example of a very rare late 30s, Slingerland 5x14 Radio King metal shell snare drum. The shell is heavy brass, one piece, and nickel plated brass. According to Slingerland’s catalogs of this era, this metal shell snare could only be ordered in 5x14 or 6.5x14 sizes The plating options available were either nickel or chromium. Unlike the popular “Krupa" model, there was limited information describing all options that were available when ordering the metal version. Most likely, these metal shells were much like a special order that was requested and specified by the consumer.
Read MoreVIDEO! Sticky Wicket - War Time Ludwig Victory Drum Kit
Sticky Wicket strikes again. Authentic playing on this Ludwig Victory kit.
Read MoreRepair advice -Removing a shrinking "riveted" Ludwig 80s wrap & re-wrapping.
This is a repair job I did this year for Stan Head, well known veteran Memphis percussionist and teacher. The Ludwig concert bass drum is from the eighties and the stand is one Stan had custom made for this drum. The problem with the drum was that the ends of the black diamond pearl wrap had shrunk and was coming loose. The wrap was also beginning to bubble. The stand had come apart at one joint and the tilting mechanism needed modification. The wrap shrinkage problem is a fairly well known 80s failure that resulted from the Ludwig plant in Chicago being prohibited from using their glue to secure the wrap.
Read More1942 Slingerland "Rolling Bomber" snare drum in black diamond finish
Here is a wonderful example of a rare, black diamond pearl Rolling Bomber snare drum. This particular snare drum is unique in that most Rolling Bombers produced were ordered with the popular white marine pearl. Black diamond pearl was very uncommon for this time period.
Read More1962 Pre-Serial Ludwig Combo/Club Date in Blue/Silver Duco
This set is without a doubt the cleanest and nicest "duco" kit I've ever seen. We all know that the hands of time are not kind to these 2 tone paint finishes and every set I've encountered has had numerous paint chipping, flaking, spider webbing etc. Basically killing the appearance. I was truly in awe. So a BIG THANK YOU to Chris Hawthorne at Hawthorne Drum Shop out of Pittsburgh PA for answering my million questions and sending ALL those pics!
Read More1924 Ludwig & Ludwig 6.5 x 14 White "Crystal" Plastic Moderne Bi-Tone Model #19
White “Crystal” is one of Ludwig & Ludwig’s rarest finishes and was only around for less than two years, 1941-42. The Crystal finish was highly distressed, more like “Crustal”, I mean really beat up... as my good friend John Aldridge would say, “this drum is as ugly as home made soap”.
Read More1920s Ludwig Professional Outfit
George,
I hope you’re rockin! Will I see you at the Chicago show this year?
I thought you might like to see this set I just picked up locally. This is how they looked straight out of the cases after being stored since WWII. Don’t let anybody tell you that all of the good ones are gone!
Enjoy,
Donn
Read MoreBob Parker - A Different Drummer - with the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp in President John Kennedy's Funeral Procession
The only drum pattern that was played during the entire 3-4 days was a cadence that our Head Drummer came up with. It was a simple pattern as a way for all the drummers that participated could learn in a short amount of time. The pattern was Flam, Flam, Flam, 7 Stroke Roll-Flam, Flam, Flam, 7 Stroke Roll- Flam, Flam, Flam, 7 Stroke Roll - Flam, Flam, Flam Tap! The drums were covered in that shroud that my mother had sewn, and the snares were turned off. This cadence was played at a very slow tempo [approx. 78 B.P.M.] using 3s sticks. One interesting side note was that only Drummers participated in the funeral. There were no other instruments used during the entire 3-4 days of ceremonies! Quite an honor!
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