A ride beat moves itself ever forward, like a bicycle rolling along. And this part of the phrase, like the circle compared to the line, is where both the "hardest" and "easiest" parts lie. When played with fluidity it is rolling; a beautiful study of motion, grace and power. When played stiffly, it's like a mechanical device. Boring. Metallic. Uninteresting.
Read moreSlingerland's Snare Drum "Hybrids"
In my early days of collecting, I often asked myself, “What is this model?” or “Why is this snare drum made like this and inconsistent with similar drums of this era?”, or “Why is this snare drum different than the one in the catalog?” As I grew more familiar with Slingerland drum catalogs and references, I became a vintage Slingerland drum detective of sorts. I learned to read between the lines of the typical and not so typical examples. I discovered that these hybrids came into existence because of the supply and demand issues at the factory.
Read moreHow to Vacuum Veneer Drum Shells
Many years ago, I began the quest for a consistent and easily repeatable method for veneering pre made drum shells. I needed a method that did not limit me to costly backed or wide sheet veneer. One that did not involve contact cement so I could use high gloss lacquer. One that would not give me welts from a hot iron. One that yielded tight almost invisible seams. One that allowed me to create intricate patterns with a hard and machinable glue line. What I needed was a vacuum press and after a lot of trial and error I finally achieved it. I have been using and teaching the following method for the past eight years with great success. With a little practice and attention to detail you can achieve amazing results.
Read more1935-1936 Ludwig Silver Anniversary 5x14 Engraved Black Beauty, Super Ludwig model
In 1935, Ludwig & Ludwig Drum Company celebrated its 25th “Silver” Anniversary and issued a series of redesigned Silver Anniversary snare drums in Standard, Super-Ludwig, and Super-Sensitive models. Mark Cooper (Cooper’s Vintage Drums) has noted that while the Silver Anniversary occurred in 1935, these drums did not appear in print until 1936 (Ludwig Drummer Magazine, Ludwig Silver Anniversary Edition catalog 36-A).
Read moreThe Richard Wagner Snare Drum Project
So, I get this curious email from a German guy named Boris Richter: "Hi, I am not sure if this is a story for you, I made a drum from an old wine barrel Richard Wagner was drinking from. Here's the story and the pics and the video. Have fun ;-) Cheers, Boris I was hooked. Not just a video, though, but beautiful film documentary about a drum building artist making a drum from scratch out of some very historic wood. This is some serious drum nerd stuff. Enjoy
Read more1924 Ludwig & Ludwig 4 x 14 DeLuxe Universal Model (catalog #11)
A regular 1920s nob Universal Model will not shake up the vintage drum community and will most likely go un-noticed or un-interested on many auction sites. I think that the historical significance here is that this is one of the earliest examples of L & L’s DeLuxe Finish. When you add the fact that this finish was only offered on the Professional Models we can surmise that this drum was most likely a special order drum.
Read more1967 Ludwig Super Classic bought right off the Ludwig factory Showroom
I had mentioned above that this was a floor model at the Ludwig factory. I found this to be quite interesting to be able to buy back then as such. But when I took the kit apart to smell the interiors (wink ;-) and check the date stamps, I discovered the initials BL in the drums. I could not help myself, so I reached out to Bill Ludwig III and explained what I had and the story.
Read moreGet A Grip!
There is a plethora of ways to hit a drum, especially the snare drum, in most popular music styles. Elvin Jones called the snare "The Frying Pan," referencing the snare’s central role in cooking up, in his case, some very progressive jazz.
Read moreThe Gretsch Drum Kit That Made Olympic History (Tony Williams' yellow set)
“There I was, thinking, ‘This is the kit that Tony Williams played; they’re his drums. And I’m responsible for them.’ So I started trying to take the drums down and get them someplace safe. Then a security person walked up and said, ‘Get your ass off stage.’ I told him, ‘I’ve gotta get my drums off first. These are really historic drums.’
Read moreNick Hopkin Reports on the Dutch Vintage Drum Meeting near Amsterdam
This show is much smaller than Chicago but really well attended by both exhibitors and punters. Dealers from Germany, Switzerland and all across the Netherlands were there as well as myself with a great selection of vintage drum goodies.
Read moreNic Marcy - Austin Drummer - Summer 2016
Nic Marcy is a world class player and educator. He started a new publication in 2016 called Austin Drummer which is about and for the drummers and drumming and music scene in Austin and beyond. There are some really hip articles to enjoy so we decided to make Nic's Austin Drummer magazine a column here at NSMD.
Read more1938-40 Slingerland 5x14 Nickel Over Brass Artist Model Radio King
This snare drum was sold to me a Radio King. As I started to get into the restoration I noticed that there are no extension brackets or any drilling for extension brackets.
Read moreSlingerland Studio King drum set - Conway Arkansas cloud badge
I'm pretty sure I now have one of the last Slingerland kits ever made, and it's a good one, and I didn't have to pay Slingerland's ridiculous exorbitant prices for it.
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne - chapter 9
Being able to lay out the time and seemingly doing nothing is indeed an example of what Mr. Manne speaks of in it being the easiest and most difficult at the same time. - Sergio Bellotti
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Part 10
" I love jazz drummers… Can't think of one I don't like. Some of them hold their sticks weird, and don't care about the latest drumming fads. They love the tradition, and the language. They just...Swing! "
Read more1970s Rogers Holiday drum set in Wine Red Ripple finish
Wine Red Ripple was listed as a Rogers wrap from 1960 to 1967. In talking to other collectors I have concluded that these shells were made and wrapped in Ohio and shipped to Fullerton when the plant moved. They were completed and tagged in California and thus became A late blooming Wine Red Ripple set. One thing is for certain, this fine vintage wine will make you high just looking at it.
Read more1965 Ludwig Downbeat drum set - Sky Blue Pearl
Vintage Ludwig Downbeats are extremely versatile sized drums no matter what the color you end up with. These kits can be tuned for a variety of music and are real easy to travel with logistically. The entire kit fits in the backseat of VW Golf! (with the seats up, NOT down).
Read moreSean Fuller - Life Lessons
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.
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