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Not So Modern Drummer

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Since 1988, a treasure trove of info about vintage drums, custom drums & legendary drummers

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The first vintage & Custom Drum Magazine, since 1988

Not So Modern Drummer

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Database of Articles 11/13 to current

John Crocken Drum Sticks has a very nice new website

May 30, 2025 George Lawrence

With decades of experience and performance under his belt—from serving in the Army band to dazzling audiences alongside A-list celebrities and Broadway musicals—John harnessed his skills to infuse every pair of sticks with superior craftsmanship and an unrivaled ethos.

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In George Lawrence, Vintage Drums Tags Crocken drum sticks
1 Comment

1928- SLINGERLAND TONE FLANGE 5x14 WMP LIPSKIN SPECIAL MODEL

May 30, 2025 Mike Curotto
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Lipskin Special Models were not catalogued so we can assume that they were made for a dealer.

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In Mike Curotto's Medium Rare Drums, Vintage Drums, Slingerland Tags Mike Curotto, slingerland Lipskin
Comment

The R-360 By Rogers "Semi-stencil"

May 30, 2025 Marc Patch

I personally think the Semistencil nickname is appropriate for the R-360 & R-380 by Rogers

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In Marc Patch Stencil MIJ, Vintage Drums
1 Comment

Edward Tucker’s Catalog Corner 1911 Walberg & Auge / Jas. H. Ward Mfg. Co.

May 30, 2025 Edward Tucker

A very special rare Drum Catalog arrived.

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In Edward Tucker Restoration, Vintage Drums Tags Edward Tucker
1 Comment

A Brief, Mostly Factual History Of The Bass Drum

May 2, 2025 Richard Best

The trend toward smaller bass drums was driven as much by portability as sound. Elvin Jones settled on an 18" bass drum because it fit into a cab nicely (so I’ve heard).

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In Vintage Drums, Educational, Richard Best Tags Richard BEst
2 Comments

Early Apollo Snare Drum

May 2, 2025 Marc Patch

In an effort to show what is less seen, I offer you another one of my favorites. This gold sparkle Apollo, which was made by Star in the early 1960’s

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In Marc Patch Stencil MIJ, Vintage Drums Tags Apollo Drums
Comment

Benny Barth's Slingerland Radio King Drum Set

May 2, 2025 George Lawrence
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This is the story of a Slingerland Radio King drum kit that I spent many years piecing back together. It originally belonged to Benny Barth, a renowned jazz drummer from Indianapolis and one of the most influential drummers of his time.

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In Legendary Drummers, Vintage Drums, Slingerland
1 Comment

1933-34 Slingerland NOB Radio Model DuAlls

May 1, 2025 Mike Curotto
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Slingerland purchased the patent from C. G. Conn in 1933. Ludwig & Ludwig sued Slingerland for patent infringement and Slingerland was forced to cease and desist any further manufacturing of the DuAll model along with having to pay for any DuAll models that were previously sold.

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In Vintage Drums, Mike Curotto's Medium Rare Drums Tags slingerland NOB Radio Duall
1 Comment

Edward Tucker’s Catalog Corner 1909 Leedy Insert: “Some More Good Things”

March 31, 2025 Edward Tucker
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 The 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.

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In Edward Tucker Restoration, Leedy, Vintage Drums Tags Leedy catalog
1 Comment

Pristine 1970 Ludwig "Hollywood" Drum Set - No Serial Number WMP

March 31, 2025 Edward Tucker
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This set was born together and still with the one and only original owner whose parents purchased it for him brand spanking new in 1970. He played it for about a year with his cousin in a little band in his basement and never again after that. The set NEVER left his house and was NEVER played out. He also immaculately cared for it keeping it under cover.

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In Edward Tucker Restoration, Ludwig, Vintage Drums Tags Ludwig 1970 Hollywood
3 Comments

1938-40- SLINGERLAND 5x14 SEA GREEN  PEARL RADIO KING MODEL

March 31, 2025 Mike Curotto
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I got this *Clamshell Sea Green Pearl Radio King a few Chicago Shows ago from my good friend and fellow collector Joe Luoma.

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In Mike Curotto's Medium Rare Drums, Vintage Drums, Slingerland Tags Slingerland Sea Green Pearl
1 Comment

White Pearls of Japan

March 31, 2025 Marc Patch

In the MIJ world there is a tendency to lump all the drums together. Some of it is from the old myths of them being made in the same factory or a shared factory, but in reality the connections between companies was very small, even the smallest common screw seem to be a little different. This even extends to the wraps, where similar, but not the same, seems to be the rule.

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In Vintage Drums, Marc Patch Stencil MIJ Tags Marc Patch
3 Comments

Slingerland NOB Broadcaster and NOB Radio King

February 27, 2025 Mike Curotto
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These two drums came from my good friend and fellow collector Mark Cooper. Mark passed away last year and I miss his friendship, sense of humor and the great drum deals that we did over the last 15+ years. I was able to get some great snare drums from Mark. Rest in peace my friend.

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In Mike Curotto's Medium Rare Drums, Vintage Drums, Slingerland Tags Slingerland Broadcaster, slingerland Radio King
2 Comments

10+ Years Waiting, 100+ Years in the Making, 1923 Harry Bower Snare

February 23, 2025 Edward Tucker
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The drum is only one of two (one is in the drum museum in the Midwest) known in this style, and even these two are both different.

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In Vintage Drums, Edward Tucker Restoration Tags Harry Bower drum, Edward Tucker
4 Comments

100 Year Old Snare Drum Reclaims It’s Rightful Heritage!

February 23, 2025 Joe Czulinski
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I had purchased a 1920’s Ludwig & Ludwig White Enamel Professional model 5X14 snare drum from a US seller several months previous.  From the photos provided before the time of sale, I knew this drum had seen better days

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In Vintage Drums, Ludwig, Reader Submissions Tags Joe Czulinski, Ludwig & Ludwig
6 Comments

Sonor announces 150th Anniversary Signature and Sonorlite drum sets

February 19, 2025 George Lawrence

150 years of SONOR craftsmanship and innovation. To celebrate this milestone, we proudly present the 150th Anniversary SIGNATURE and SONORLITE Shell Sets

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In Gretsch, Industry News, Vintage Drums, George Lawrence Tags Sonor, Sonor Signature, Sonorlite
Comment

Mystery Drum

February 19, 2025 Reader Submissions
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I wonder if you can review the attached pictures. I will be sending a second email with more. I have a 26" Bass, 13, 14, and 16 toms and snare. I am trying to confirm the vintage and, in the case of the 13" small tom, determine if it is really a Radio King drum.

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In Vintage Drums Tags slingerland Radio King
2 Comments

The Tama King-Beat Bass Drum Pedal

February 19, 2025 Marc Patch

The King-Beat was one of the most heavy-dutiest of any pedal made by anyone. This became their flagship pedal up through 1983

Read more
In Vintage Drums, Marc Patch Stencil MIJ Tags Tama, bass drum pedal, Tama King Beat
4 Comments

1928- Slingerland Rainbow Sprinkles Tone Flange Artist model snare

January 31, 2025 Mike Curotto
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The most interesting part of this drum is the uncatalogued finish that I call “Rainbow Sprinkles”. It looks like a “coral” enamel base with multi-colored specks on top. I have never seen or heard of another Slingerland drum with this finish.

Read more
In Mark Markowitz, Mike Curotto's Medium Rare Drums, Vintage Drums, Slingerland Tags Slingerland Tone Flange, Slingerland Artist Model Snare
Comment

Review: New Slingerlands! 2025 Limited Edition Oxnard Era Radio King Snares

January 30, 2025 Edward Tucker

I was privileged enough to receive two very special Limited Edition Radio King first serial number 1s of 50 of the 5“ x 14“ vintage black and gold lacquer and the 7” x 14” black diamond pearl wrap snare drums. -Ed Tucker

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In Slingerland, Vintage Drums, Edward Tucker Restoration Tags slingerland Radio King, Slingerland California, Slingerland Oxnard, New Slingerland
22 Comments
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About the 150th anniversary sets

https://www.johncrockenpersimmondrumsticks.com/

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