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Not So Modern Drummer

1370 Vera Cruz St.
Memphis
3303386035
Since 1988, a treasure trove of info about vintage drums, custom drums & legendary drummers

Drummer community & drum marketplace
The first vintage & Custom Drum Magazine, since 1988

Not So Modern Drummer

  • Home
  • Subscribe -FREE
  • Advertise
  • Donate
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  • Classified Ads
  • Writers/Articles
  • Drum History Podcast
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Database of Articles 11/13 to current

1930-39 Leedy Butterfly Girl Trap Kit with Rolling Console

March 31, 2026 Tim Northup

This 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 more
In Tim Northup Drums Museum, Vintage Drums, Leedy, Kurt Ekstrom Tags Northup Drum Museum, Tim Northup, Leedy drums
1 Comment

Late 80s SOLID 5.5 x 14 Maple Snare

March 31, 2026 James Anzelone
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Solids were produced starting in the late eighties by Huey Lewis and the News drummer, Billy Gibson and drum maker,  Johnny Craviotto. They were made with a steam bent 1-ply maple shell and maple reinforcing rings, much like vintage Slingerland Radio Kings.

Read more
In James Anzelone, Vintage Drums Tags james anzelone
5 Comments

1941 & 1942 WWII Era Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalogs with price lists.

March 31, 2026 Edward Tucker
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Frankly, I didn’t know Sears was selling these complete sets this early on, and with endorsers!

Read more
In Edward Tucker Restoration, Vintage Drums Tags Sears Drums
Comment

The Star Lever Hack

March 31, 2026 Marc Patch

One of the most common sights to see on a Star made snare drum is a missing lever on a 930 Strainer. The overall design of the 930 was inspired by Slingerland’s Zoomatic. I have a way to keep the strainer and just add a lever to it.

Read more
In Marc Patch Stencil MIJ, Vintage Drums Tags Star Lever Hack
1 Comment

1970s 6.5 x14 Vistalite Super Sensitive Snare

February 28, 2026 Edward Tucker
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 This is my very rare 1970s 6.5” x 14” Color Code No. 2201-Clear Ludwig No. 415KP Vistalite Super Sensitive Blue & Olive Pointy Badge Snare Drum.

Read more
In Edward Tucker Restoration, Ludwig, Vintage Drums Tags Vistalite super sensitive
2 Comments

Edward Tuckers Catalog Corner - 1970s Zickos Drum Corp.

February 28, 2026 Edward Tucker
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This Zickos Drum Corporation factory authorized portfolio is either a dealer catalog, corporate item, a dealer only item or distributor book. And it is full of separate loose distribution flyers and smaller catalogs.

Read more
In Edward Tucker Restoration, Vintage Drums Tags Zickos Drums
1 Comment

1930’s Ludwig and Ludwig 26x14 Bass Drum Restoration

February 28, 2026 Danny Bilan
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I have attached a number of pictures of the finished bass drum. I have also included a picture of a Black Diamond Pearl kit I use that includes a bass drum from the 1940’s and toms from the 1970’s. It sounds amazing.

Read more
In Danny Bilan, Ludwig, Vintage Drums Tags Ludwig & Ludwig
2 Comments

1960-62 Ludwig 6.5x14 gold plated Super-Sensitive Model

February 26, 2026 Mike Curotto
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Ludwig produced (presented) only 5 of these snare drums that were gold plated with name plaques.

Read more
In Mike Curotto's Medium Rare Drums, Ludwig, Vintage Drums Tags '60-'62 ludwig gold plated super sensitive
2 Comments

1928 Ludwig Black Beauty Moose Drum Trap Set at Northup Drums Museum

February 26, 2026 Tim Northup

This would have been an above standard professional drum kit for a working drummer that was playing in orchestras, vaudeville, and theaters for silent films in the 1920-30s.

Read more
In Tim Northup Drums Museum, Vintage Drums, Ludwig Tags Northup Drum Museum
3 Comments

What Was Passed Along

January 30, 2026 Edwin Rivera III

I didn’t go looking for a story when I bought this drum kit. At the time, I thought I was simply stepping into vintage drums more intentionally than I ever had before.

Read more
In Edwin Rivera III, Slingerland, Vintage Drums Tags slingerland capri pearl, Roy Harte, Drum City
4 Comments

1928-1930 Ludwig & Ludwig Peacock Pearl Super-Ludwig Snare Drum

January 30, 2026 Joe Czulinski

“In my humble view, this century young visual and sonic masterpiece features one of the most beautiful finishes to ever adorn a drum”

Read more
In Ludwig, Vintage Drums, Joe Czulinski Tags Joe Czulinski, Ludwig & Ludwig Super Ludwig, Peacock Pearl
6 Comments

Gretsch Mystery Wrap - Stumped

January 30, 2026 George Lawrence
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But what makes me curious (and has stumped a good few people more in the know than I am) is the wrap. It is (now considerably yellowed) WMP but it has these gold & silver strands running through it.

Read more
In Vintage Drums, George Lawrence Tags Gretsch gold and silver strands wmp
7 Comments

Yan Bass Drum Pedal Restoration

January 19, 2026 Marc Patch

An often-overlooked part of a Vintage MIJ kit is the Bass Drum Pedal. Most Japanese pedals back then had no name or markings and were pretty generic looking, but Pearl had their “SPEED PEDAL”, no doubt inspired by the Ludwig Speed King and Star had their “PRO PEDAL”, and there is even a “TOP PEDAL” out there. Not to be outdone Gracy via Yan Drum had their “FOOT PEDAL”

Read more
In Marc Patch Stencil MIJ, Vintage Drums Tags Yav drum, gracy yan drum
5 Comments

Gracy Snare Drum

December 28, 2025 Marc Patch

For me this drum is a keeper, it has so many of the things I look for in a snare drum, thin shell, solid lugs, stick-saver hoops, a reliable strainer, and a stunning wrap. If you find a Gracy like this one out there, I highly recommend!

Read more
In Marc Patch Stencil MIJ, Vintage Drums Tags Gracy drums, Marc patch
Comment

Carlow Classics Vintage Drum Hardware

December 28, 2025 Joe Czulinski

Presenting the most durable and authentic looking replacements for missing or cracked/broken factory original Rim Clips, Tube Lugs and Tension Rods. 

Designed and precision manufactured to meet the specification tolerance and appearance requirements for factory original fittings on 1920’s and 30’s Ludwig & Ludwig snare drums in both Deluxe (new or aged) and Bright Nickel finishes.

Read more
In Vintage Drums, Ludwig, For Sale Tags Joe Czulinski, vintage drum hardware, Carlow Classics Vintage Drum Hardware
Comment

The Wish Book Stencils

November 29, 2025 Marc Patch

Sears not only owned the Sears brand name, but they also owned the Silvertone name which they used for musical instruments and their electronics, but they were also okay with not branding their instruments at all. In fact, most of the drums that came through Sears had no branding at all.

Read more
In Vintage Drums, Marc Patch Stencil MIJ Tags Sears Stencil Drums, Silvertone Drums, Kent Drums
Comment

Edward Tucker’s Catalog Corner - 1955 WFL Catalogs, two of a kind!

November 29, 2025 Edward Tucker
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955 WFL Black & White and Colorized versions of the 1955 catalog with a few big differences.

Read more
In Vintage Drums, Ludwig, Edward Tucker Restoration Tags WFL 1955 catalog
Comment

Uncatalogued 1945 Blue Marine Pearl Slingerland Radio King Snare

November 29, 2025 Edward Tucker

The color is so vibrant and bright it was shocking once I cleaned all the dirt off.

Read more
In Vintage Drums, Slingerland, Edward Tucker Restoration Tags Slingerland Blue Marine Pearl Radio King
2 Comments

1929 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 5x14 ROSE PEARL STANDARD-SENSITIVE MODEL  

November 29, 2025 Mike Curotto
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This is a very rare snare drum. Of the 3 dance/band Sensitive models introduced in 1929 I feel that the Standard-Sensitive is the rarest although I would not argue if the New-Era Sensitive was also thought of as the rarest.

Read more
In Mike Curotto's Medium Rare Drums, Vintage Drums, Ludwig Tags Ludwig & Ludwig 5x14 Rose Pearl Standard Sensitive Model
1 Comment

From The Editor - Consignments and Brokerage

November 29, 2025 George Lawrence

Want to sell your gear the old fashioned way? Advertise in NSMD. Also you can let NSMD handle the whole sale on a consignment basis.

Read more
In From Editor George Lawrence, George Lawrence, Classified Ads, Slingerland, Vintage Drums Tags consignment
Comment
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Carlow Classics Vintage Drum Hardware
Clips, lugs & rods for 20s and 30s Ludwig snares
joeczulinski@rogers.com or 519-572-0255

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