Sean, for all his successes is a humble, soft-spoken gentleman who knows the importance of family and friends. Sean embraces the down time between tours, spending it with his wife and daughter. He said, “there is more to life than just playing the drums”.
Read moreBuddy Rich: The Beat Goes On - chapter 2
Gregg Potter and Buddy’s daughter Cathy Rich are on a mission to expose Buddy's music to younger audiences, and to preserve the 'Big Band' art form for future generations. Here is a compilation of what they have done so far this year to keep Buddy's music and memory alive.
Read moreSlingerland Super Gene Krupa Radio King snare drum (a whole lot of clams)
In 1940 Slingerland decided to go back to the drawing board and create a new Radio King snare drum model. This model would become known as the “New Super Gene Krupa Model” with a unique and innovative strainer system which became known as the "clam shell" strainer. Unlike the Gene Krupa 6.5” x 14” model with the three point strainer and eight center streamline lugs, this new Radio King snare had been drastically redesigned.
Read moreJohnny Craviotto, world renown drum craftsman, passes.
This was posted on the Craviotto site:
It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Master Craftsman, mentor, and friend, Johnny Craviotto. Johnny left us on July 15th, 2016.
Johnny was, and always will be, the world’s finest drum craftsman. No one had his knowledge, his skill, and his passion for his craft. He created instruments of incredible sonic and visual beauty, and those instruments have graced stages, recording studios, and collections worldwide. His contribution to the world of drum building has been without equal.
We are truly fortunate that as the heart and soul of the Craviotto Drum Company it was vitally important to Johnny to pass along his skills, honed over a lifetime, and his innovations in the art and craft of drum building to his trusted colleagues and protégés at Craviotto, so that the "Craviotto-way" could carry on for the next generation. This living art is his legacy. Please celebrate it with us"
Please read about the life and times of Johnny in this wonderful article that Bob Campbell wrote. (click on picture)
2016 Chicago Drum Show Pictorial
See over 200 of Bob Campbell's beautiful show pictures at the Not So Modern Drummer Facebook Page and at our Vintage and Custom Drums Forum Facebook Page
Read moreKenny Aronoff at the Woodshed
Drummer extraordinaire Kenny Aronoff presented two sold-out master classes at The Woodshed in South Windsor, Connecticut on April 16th, 2016
Read moreHey, Hey, We're the Studio Cats!
I recently watched an interesting and entertaining movie called "The Wrecking Crew". It's the story -- with lots of interviews -- about the coven of ace studio musicians who created almost all of the pop and rock music that came out of California in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne - Chapter 8
Steve Maxwell: "Shelly is correct of course. The actual notated rhythm of the ride beat is absolutely simple. However, the trick is how the drummer interprets that rhythm."
Read more1965 Ludwig Downbeat set in Sparkling Burgundy Pearl
This is a 1965 Ludwig Downbeat set in Sparkling Burgundy Pearl. Burgundy Sparkle or “Root Beer Sparkle” (as it is sometimes called) is a finish that is not very common. So it falls under the “rare” category from a collector’s standpoint.
Read more1920s - 30s? L&L? 5x14 NOS/NOB 12 lug "Rat" snare drum
Here’s another very weird snare drum that has been in my restoration queue for some time. This drum reminds me of those Desert *Rat Buggies that are put together with all sorts of non-matching, weird parts, rusty body parts and who knows what else.
Read morePremier B202 drum set - Golden Sun finish
Here’s a kit that only occasionally do I come across in original condition; A Premier B202 in ‘Golden sun’ finish. This particular set was bought new in 1970 and remained with that owner until a month or so ago. The finish is fairly rare or, at least, rare in good condition.
Read moreFred Gretsch Receives Honorary Degree from Elmhurst College
Fred Gretsch is flanked by Elmhurst College Interim President Larry Braskamp (left) and Music Department Chair Peter Griffin.
Fred Gretsch Receives Honarary Degree from Elmhurst College
Read more1963 Ludwig Galaxy Pearl Superbeat Set
Galaxy Pearl is a very rare finish, as you know, and the prices reflect that when they come up for sale. This finish was only available for a couple of years, so there is a very limited number of these sets out there. The badges on all these drums are pre-serial number Keystones.
Read moreThe Legend of Tommy Thomas (1901-1995)
"You see, Tommy knew everyone who was somebody in the business. All of the players: Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Davey Tough, and everybody that I mentioned before; all of those people knew who Tommy was. All of the manufacturers knew Tommy. Tommy is mentioned in the 1933 Ludwig catalog, and notably in the 1937 WFL catalog for using the new Ludwig Speed King pedal. Tommy had an endorsement with Zildjian, Gretsch and also later with Slingerland. Tommy was also best of friends with William F. Ludwig, Sr. I think that’s why he (WFL) gave Tommy those two beautiful Ludwig drums, i.e., the 6.5 X 14”” engraved Ludwig Black Beauty and 5 X 14” Super-Sensitive.
Editor's note - It should be mentioned that the book that Tommy Thomas collaborated on with Ray Bauduc, Dixieland Drumming Instruction, is considered the first drum set instruction book ever published. This alone makes Tommy one of the most important persons in the early history of the drum set. I have included a picture of the front of that book. I have a copy myself and it is one of my prized possessions. I never completely understood why the drum set is played the way it is until I read that book. It is mind boggling that Tommy watched the entire growth of drum set drumming from the early pioneers like Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton, and Ray Bauduc all the way up to Elvin Jones, Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta and all the modern leading edge players who are still pushing the envelope.
Read moreSteve Jordan: One Extraordinary Life
"My dad said to me, "If you can learn how to play Art Blakey's "Blues March," you can play anything."
Read moreAdaptive Anticipation - or - What comes next?
I like to use a billiard analogy. You can just whack the cue ball and hope for the best, but serious pool players put a lot of effort into controlling where the cue ball ends up. It's important to make the shot, but if you're not preparing for the next shot, your game will suffer. Same with your strokes.
Read more"Of Splendor and Elegance"
Formally part of the famed William Guthman Collection of Early Americana, this sturdy relic was hand-crafted and painted by Stephen Emory, of Rindge, NH.
Read more1960s Carlton Drums
Although the English vintage drum market tends to be flooded with Premier, Olympic and Beverley drums, Carlton offered some really nice sets that often swoop under most people’s radar.
Read more1923-25 Ludwig & Ludwig Wood Black Beauty
All these years I had thought that the hardware was the DeLuxe (copper plated/gold lacquer) plating but as I began this restoration I discovered that the hardware is gold plated.
Read more1962 Ludwig Super Classic in Sparkling Galaxy Pearl
This June installment of Vintage Happiness is featuring a set that had long been a bucket list item of mine. Finally this time last year I was able to locate one in excellent condition.
Read more