A friend of mine had come across a set of mismatched champagne sparkle drums that included a Gretsch round badge 5x14 name band snare drum, 8x12 tom and 14x14 floor tom…
Read moreGretsch Progressive Jazz kit
Sung and Unsung Heroes - Jack Jones
This month’s Unsung Hero is quite likely someone you have never heard of before. He is Atlanta based drummer, Jack Jones, and if you have ever watched Rick Beato’s YouTube videos, such as “Top 20 Drum Intros of All Time” or “20 Greatest Drum Fills of All Time”, Jack is the man behind the kit recreating all those intros and fills to perfection.
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs's Back In Time Video Series: Sure Fire Machine sound effect
Another great video about the history of drums and sound effects by columnist Kelli Rae Tubbs, featuring Wm F “B3” Ludwig . This one is loud. Hold your ears! :-)
Read moreDrum History Podcast - EP 70 - Dealing and Collecting Celebrity Drums with Donn Bennett
Donn shares how he got into this unique profession and some stories of acquiring some ultra rare drums. He also tells us how he authenticates these ultra rare drums and what happened when he comes across a counterfeit drum that is being advertised as being owned by Ringo.
Read moreReview: WFL III Drums - new finishes, new lugs, new improvements
WFL III Drums is the latest chapter in the Ludwig Family’s legacy and love affair with drums and drum building. Since my last review, William F. Ludwig III, has again raised the bar and made these drums even better.
Read moreImmaculate Rogers kit found in an old barn
Here's a beautiful Rogers Red Oynx kit that was found in a barn…
Read moreKelli Rae Tubbs's Back In Time Video Series - The Charleston Pedal
A series on the cymbal's incorporation into modern drum sets with host, Kelli Rae Tubbs. The history-rich videos discuss the transition of cymbals to their c...
Kelli Rae Tubbs takes us back in time again, before the invention of the high hat, and shows us the contraptions drummers invented to play cymbals with their feet.
Read moreDrum History Podcast - Episode 7 - Gene Krupa: The Father of Modern Drumming with Brooks Tegler
We explore the entire life of the legendary Gene Krupa! I speak with Brooks Tegler about Genes beginnings in the early 1920's through his false conviction in 1943, all the way up to his death in 1973. In addition to being being such a revolutionary musician, Gene was a true gentleman and had a very rich and interesting life. Gene is responsible for many innovations in drumming that took the drum set from the "trap drums" of the early 1900's to what we now consider the modern drum set. Brooks Tegler is an expert on the subject of Krupa and his equipment and I'm honored that he took the time to share his knowledge with me!
Read more1925 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 4 x 14 8 LUG GOLD PLATED/ENGRAVED TRIUMPHAL MODEL (*WILLIAM S. HART DRUM #1)
The Triumphal Model was Ludwig & Ludwig’s top of the line snare drum and sold for 125.00 in 1925. The Triumphal Model featured 24K gold plating with hand engraving on the shell, lugs and rims. Noted drum historian and collector Harry Cangany has stated his belief that there were only 12 of these Triumphal snare drums produced. The
Read more1927-29 NOB 6&1/2" X 14" Ludwig Supersensitive snare drum
This is a 1927-29 NOB 6&1/2" X 14" Ludwig Supersensitive. It's a 2 piece shell with 10 tube lugs. It is 100% original (except for the heads) including top and bottom wires.
How America’s Bicentennial Impacted Ludwig Drum Dating
One lesson learned here is when you see a listing for a drum from 1976, think twice before believing that date. A related lesson is that if you have drum with a serial number in the lower part of Mr. Cook’s 917xxx – 1290xxx range, do not describe it as being from 1976. There is no harm just listing the serial number and letting others take their best guess. They will probably look it up online, and just perhaps they will see this article and think twice before declaring it to be from 1976.
Read moreReview and video: No Nuts Cymbal Sleeves, CymRings & SizzleNut
So overall, I would definitely recommend trying out the No Nuts products, especially the Cymbal Sleeves, as they really do make mounting and dismounting cymbals so much easier and quicker. The convenience factor is well worth the money in my mind. I like having alternatives to felt pads so the CymRings are a much better substitute. I don’t use a sizzle cymbal enough to justify the cost. Having a little ‘doodad’ like the SizzleNut that I can stick in my bag and pull out as needed is more practical. Think of it this way, for the price of 1-2 pairs of drumsticks, you could buy a set of Cymbal Sleeves, CymRings, or SizzleNut. Music is about experimentation. Try things out!
Read moreRest in peace, Fluke Holland, drummer for Johnny Cash and Sun Records
W.S. “Fluke” Holland, longtime drummer for Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins and the original drummer in Cash’s famed Tennessee Three backing band, died Wednesday at the age of 85.
Dubbed the “Father of the Drums” by Cash, Holland died at his home in Jackson, Tennessee, following a short illness
Read moreJohn JR Robinson: Remembering Tony Williams
Back at Berklee College of Music in 1973, I had become friends with Steve Smith. Of course, we came to a common denominator – Tony. Steve and I talked about muscle cars. Steve was driving a 1968 Camaro back then. He asked me to meet him in front of the 150 Massachusetts Avenue building around 7:00 pm or so. I got into his car and immediately felt like I was at home - a muscle car, 12 pack of beer, and Tony playing on Steve’s car stereo!
Read moreNNS
Nashville Number System Book by George Lawrence
Three songs that accompany this book.
WFL Victorious
As I sit here wondering when life will get back to some sort of normal, I am pondering what to write about in a drum article that would make for a good distraction, yet relate to the state of things in the world today. One such drum that comes to mind for me is this WW II era Victorious snare drum. The very name Victorious is something that I think is appropriate because in due time, I feel we will all emerge stronger and victorious from the effects of Covid
Read moreWWII Restriction 1943-1944 Leedy Dreadnaught Victor Set In White Marine Pearl
Please allow me to introduce you to my WWII Restriction 1943-1944 Leedy Dreadnaught Victor Set In White Marine Pearl. I usually can finish a full set restoration in approximately two weeks, this set took almost two months. 11”, 13”, 15” 26”, 6.5” x 14”. It is simply gorgeous now.
Read moreSkip Hadden: Remembering Tony Williams
Several years later I had the opportunity to work at the same club as the Tony Williams Lifetime when they were touring and playing the music that was on the “The OLD Bum’s Rush,” recording. He already had the big yellow Gretsch kit by this time with the 24” bass drum and multiple toms. Each night over the course of the week the band gelled better and on the final night it was truly amazing. The entire night was smoking; one tune would have been worth waiting the week to hear, let alone the whole night.
Read moreSung and Unsung Heroes: Brian Dunne
Holding everything together at “Live From Daryl’s House” and keeping it “in the pocket” (with his baseball cap always on backwards), is the rather quiet and unassuming Brian Dunne on drums, who, for more than seven years, has been the rhythmic force behind “Hall & Oates”.
Read moreMore Fun with Stick Control
I like to mix things up with Stick Control. Here I’ve moved the figures to the snare and bass and laid a ‘funk’ ride pattern over top. These can all be played at the same tempo but the feel changes depending on where you put the hi-hat.