I picked up a copy of the Sabian publication “Create: 2017 Cymbals & Sounds”. It’s a 40-page full color magazine provided free by Sabian and distributed through music equipment outlets. It’s really just a catalog of their various products, but it delivers quite a bit more. The book is filled with information about cymbals: how they’re made, how they’re used, how designs came about, what different features mean. There’s lots of cymbal lore and history too. If someone wanted to quickly learn about cymbals, this edition would be a great place to start.
Read more1926-27 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 4 x 14 “STIPELSILVER” (uncatalogued) DANCE MODEL
The drum in this article has a “Stipelsilver” finish, same texture as Stipelgold but with a bright silver hue. I believe that this drum is a one-off/special order for a few reasons that I will explain
Read moreParUmPaPumPum Charity and Museum is now a registered charity →
Parumpumpumpum Charity and Museum has filed with the State of Tennessee and the IRS to be a 501 C3 registered charity which means we will now be able to give receipts for tax-deductible donations. The other big news is that the drum Museum is looking for a building in Memphis. The donations of instruments is increasing and outgrowing the NSMD office.
Read more1952 WFL Porto-Pak Outfit No. 986P in Sparkling Red Pearl
So here is one I hope you all can dig and my latest addition to the collection:
An immaculate 1952 WFL Porto-Pak Outfit No. 986P in Sparkling Red Pearl with era correct additional floor tom ordered with set. This was an estate sale treasure find!
Life's Little Drumming Lessons
Life's Little Drumming Lessons: Some random thoughts that are slowly coagulating into a book I hope to publish one day.
Read moreReview - 2019 Chicago Drum Show
Now celebrating its 29th year, the Chicago Drum Show is the world’s largest and longest running drumming event in the world. It features over 30,000 square feet of new and used custom drums and cymbals of all makes and models.
From above the arena, it appeared to be a football field covered in all things percussion.
Read moreSome Of My Favorite Drummers Are Invisible
Some of the very best drummers are virtually unheard of. When it comes to the needs of music, visibility -- or, rather, audibility -- is often not high on the list. There are high profile drummers we admire who have the ability to disappear as well as get noticed. Vinnie Colaiuta is a great example.
Read more1940-43 SLINGERLAND 7 x 14 SILVER SPARKLE HOLLYWOOD ACE MODEL RADIO KING
Hi all,
Well, Mark Cooper comes through again with this excellent example of a Silver Sparkle Model Hollywood Ace Radio King. Mark finds a lot of Radio Kings that are always in very good-excellent condition. This one will be added to the “Mark Cooper” wing of the Curotto Collection.
Read moreThe Smithsonian Museum seeks our help documenting this vintage drum
My name is Caroline Bowers and I am working for the Music and Performing Arts department at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Culture. We are currently working on researching an object that the museum accessioned in 2007 and we have little information on. I found your website online and was hoping that your network of drum experts may be able to assist us.
Read moreMichael Shrieve and a Super Classic (w video)
Imagine being a young 20-year-old drummer on tour for the first time playing to large audiences that were not familiar with your band, as the record had not come out yet………… and as fate would have it, the song that included your drum solo spot was put into the final cut of the movie known as Woodstock; 3 days of peace love and music.
Read moreA Rare Slingerland Radio King 5x14 Brass Shell Snare Drum
Here is a wonderful example of a very rare late 30s, Slingerland 5x14 Radio King metal shell snare drum. The shell is heavy brass, one piece, and nickel plated brass. According to Slingerland’s catalogs of this era, this metal shell snare could only be ordered in 5x14 or 6.5x14 sizes The plating options available were either nickel or chromium. Unlike the popular “Krupa" model, there was limited information describing all options that were available when ordering the metal version. Most likely, these metal shells were much like a special order that was requested and specified by the consumer.
Read moreVideo - the great drummers of New Orleans, Swing and Bebop
Videos of many of the great drum set drummers from the nineteen twenties through the sixties.
Read moreVIDEO! Sticky Wicket - War Time Ludwig Victory Drum Kit
Sticky Wicket strikes again. Authentic playing on this Ludwig Victory kit.
Read moreDiversify and Conquer: Part II
Richard Best
There are lots of gigs within the music industry that do not necessarily involve playing drums. Here are just a few examples.
Read morePress Release! Drum Channel Releases "The Buddy Rich Show" on DVD and digital
In 1982—at the height of his popularity and influence— Buddy hosted and played in three live TV specials that featured the legendary drummer as the world had never seen him. The shows included classic performances of nearly two dozen jazz standards by Buddy with his big band and musical guests Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Woody Herman and Gerry Mulligan. But, unfortunately, “The Buddy Rich Show” never aired and remained unseen for the past 37 years.
Read moreRepair advice -Removing a shrinking "riveted" Ludwig 80s wrap & re-wrapping.
This is a repair job I did this year for Stan Head, well known veteran Memphis percussionist and teacher. The Ludwig concert bass drum is from the eighties and the stand is one Stan had custom made for this drum. The problem with the drum was that the ends of the black diamond pearl wrap had shrunk and was coming loose. The wrap was also beginning to bubble. The stand had come apart at one joint and the tilting mechanism needed modification. The wrap shrinkage problem is a fairly well known 80s failure that resulted from the Ludwig plant in Chicago being prohibited from using their glue to secure the wrap.
Read moreFrom the editor
This is the July 2019 issue, even though it’s being sent in early August. I have a good excuse for why this issue is late: I took a long vacation in late July and ….
Read more1942 Slingerland "Rolling Bomber" snare drum in black diamond finish
Here is a wonderful example of a rare, black diamond pearl Rolling Bomber snare drum. This particular snare drum is unique in that most Rolling Bombers produced were ordered with the popular white marine pearl. Black diamond pearl was very uncommon for this time period.
Read moreTim Smith - The POCO Years
Tim never had to audition for Poco… Rusty Young hired him on Rich Neville’s recommendation, and it changed everything. “I’ll forever be grateful…and stepping into George Grantham’s shoes to replace him was an honor in itself.”
Read moreNew Bill Bruford Earthworks Collection
London - A Summerfold Records reissue, Bill Bruford’s ‘Earthworks Complete’ is a spectacular 20CD/4DVD box set of the entire back catalogue across Earthworks' 20-year career. Includes previously unreleased and little known material.
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