Standards have their own unique triangular shaped badge. The interiors of the bass and toms are coated with grey speckled paint, but some Standards have white painted interiors. Standards usually have smooth low mass lugs. If your Standard kit has Classic lugs that might also be correct. Ludwig would use the Classic lugs if they were low on Standard lugs.
Read more1970s Ludwig Standard S-330 drum set finished in bronze strata
A Deeper Mission For Austin Drummer Magazine
When I listen to Chris Layton, I hear the voice of Austin,Texas. Chris plays a shuffle in what I think is a similar place culturally speaking as Johnny Vidocavich, but instead of the NOLA music language, when Chris plays it's Austin drum-speak. Chris became the heartbeat of Austin music in the late 80s with a good variety of deep shuffles and solid funk beats. He wrote the book on it. If I were to try and pick out a drum style that most closely defines the Austin style of drumming during, this time, it would be his work. As the drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Chris reached a national audience and joined the pantheon of Austin music gods in the late 80s.
Read moreAnd A One And A Two
It would be nice if we all could just hear complex rhythms and then play them. Most of us have to find some way of counting them. For example, I learned to play quarter note triplets with 'Pass the gol-durn butter'. I use 'serendipity' to count 5-lets. Doesn't really matter how you count things, as long as it works for you.
Read more1920s-30s DUPLEX 5 x 14 “ARTIST MODEL” ALL METAL ENGRAVED/GOLD PLATED BLACK JEWEL (CAT. #410-A)
As of this writing there are now five known Duplex engraved Black Jewel snare drums. The previous four Black Jewels are on pages 36-43 in my book: VINTAGE SNARE DRUMS, THE CUROTTO COLLECTION VOL. I. There is another way to look at this Black Jewel situation. Of the five Black Jewels only two actually have the name “Black Jewel” engraved on the shell so one could argue that there are only two Black Jewels in existence at this time, the one on pgs. 36-37 in my book and the drum in this article. Noted drum historian and black/engraved snare drum expert John Aldridge is of the opinion that the “un-named” drums are also Black Jewels so I am going with John’s evaluation. I have included a photo of the other 4 Black Jewels.
Read more1968 Ludwig Super Beat kit in black panther finish
Black Panther wrap was introduced in 1968 along with the mod wraps. It first appeared in the 1970 Ludwig catalog and was offered throughout the 70s. It’s really a one of a kind wrap. It has this fake leather look to it and, personally, it reminds me of the old Marshall amplifiers which is why I like it. It is a thin material that is unlike any other wrap used by Ludwig. The most famous drummer who used this early on was Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Read moreGear Obsessed - It Starts Slowly
I know I am not the only one. I’ve been on the internet. We are many. We are unabashed. We are gearheads. Professional drummers are amazing people. We worship them, adore them, buy their signature drumsticks, learn their techniques, styles and solos…hang posters of them in our practice spaces…but a few of us yearn for more. We love the drumming, but are fascinated, captivated, no…obsessed with…THE GEAR.
Read moreTen Pro Drum Building Tools You Should Have (#7 Will Blow You Away)
This article is really geared towards the weekend warrior who builds often enough where these small investments would be of value in the long run. These ten tools can lead to saving on service up charges from vendors, common costly mistakes, and potential component issues.
Read moreReflections On Shelly Manne: Chapter 11
Give a drummer a fish, and you feed them for a day. Give them a ride cymbal, teach them how to play it, and they’ll feed themselves for the rest of their lives.
1965 Ludwig Club Date Restoration
My project started with a bunch of Ludwig drums and assorted cymbals I bought from a guy going the digital route. Beneath the grime and stickers were a partial club date kit, 14" and 16" WMP B/O toms, and a super sensitive snare.
Read moreClaire Arenius at Amherst College
Claire was on fire that night… Playing with an impassioned determination that reached the farthest rows, and beyond. Her finesse and sensitivity showed through on every tune. Whether using sticks or brushes, playing fast or slow - stylistically, it didn’t matter…
Read more
Pearl Sponsors a Special Edition of The Nashville Drummers Lunch featuring Ray Luzier of Korn
"Nashville, TN – Giving 100+ drummers a chance to test high-end drums, mingle with marquis artists, and enjoy great food in the heart of America’s most active live music scene, Pearl Corporation recently hosted members of the Nashville Drummer’s Facebook group at the Hard Rock Café’s Reverb Room in Nashville, TN. This unique event showcased six distinct Pearl kits, including their Nashville-assembled Music City Custom drums, as well as a variety of premium snares and hardware to players in attendance.
Read moreThe Inner Inner Line
"Musical intensity will come from being able to play subdivisions with great specificity and control" - Peter Erskine.
Here's an interesting application. We think of funk as being very 8th note or 16th note oriented, but a lot of funk actually gets its groove from relaxing the 'inner inner line'. You may think you hear 16th notes on the snare leading into the down beats, but if you listen carefully you’ll notice that those aren’t 16th notes at all, but are based on a 16th-note triplet shuffle played within the 8th note structure of the rhythm. That’s why those beats are so relaxed and funky -- and a challenge to play properly.
From country to Led Zeppelin to funk, it’s all in the inner line … and the line within the inner line.
1970s Ludwig Green Vistalite Big Beat outfit
I don't understand why green was not a very popular color among the Vistalites produced by Ludwig in the 1970s. Some collectors claim, that Mr. Bill Ludwig said, there were only about fifty green sets made in the 1970s. I have my doubts about that number, but we know there are a lot fewer green sets than clear or blue. The darker green and red sets just didn't sell as well as the clear and lighter colors. The amber color got a big boost from John Bonham's using them on tour with Led Zeppelin.
Read moreChris Infusino of Vim Dicta: The Integral Role of the Ride Cymbal
Notice, if you’re out for the night, and hit up a nearby club…they’ll usually have a “house kit” that the bands of the night are using. Spend that night listening to the two, three, or four bands (if you have that time and patience to spare) and notice how each drummer sounds completely different…even though they’re using the same gear. Call it a social experiment.
Read moreTen Questions with Bermuda Schwartz
Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz has been drumming now for fifty-one years, thirty-six of them with Weird Al Yankovic. Jon has a passion for vintage instruments and is quite a collector, with a lot of rare drums and cymbals in his collection. Those who know Jon also recognize his particular fondness for Ludwig drums. Among them are Vistalites, huge concert-tom kits, and wooden kits in multiple configurations. He’s also a Ludwig artist whose real-world input is highly-prized at the factory. I caught up with Jon currently on tour with Weird Al in the states.
Read moreBuying Custom - part 3: Designing your drums
How are you going to use these drums? Think about whether you’re going to be playing primarily live acoustic, live amplified, or in the studio. Maybe it’s a combination of these, but you should have an idea of primary uses and priorities. Some uses call for more emphasis on tone, others require more projection, and where that balance falls will have a lot of influence on your design.
Read moreReflections on Shelly Manne: Chapter 10
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 more