My friends, Allen and Gina Blaxton of Nashville, have come up with a device that could solve a particular problem for a lot of drummers. It’s called the Snare Skirt, a heavy cloth baffle with plastic hooks to attach to your snare drum.
Read moreThe Legacy of Mitch Mitchell
Major Kevin John simon has gone to great lengths to compile tons of rare photos, information and general knowledge on all things Mitch and decided to take things further when he took on the incredible task of recreating the three Ludwig sets Mitch used with Jimi Hendrix from 1967-1969. When Kevin made the decision to showcase the sets and the group at the famous Chicago drum show that happens in May, a decision was made to recreate the Black Panther Ludwig set that Mitch used at Woodstock.
Read moreFrom publisher/editor George Lawrence
Bill Ludwig III and George Lawrence at the 30th annual Chicago Drum Show, 2021
Tidbits and morsels from that rascal sage, prophet and soothsayer, George Lawrence
Read moreHistory of the Chicago Drum Show
In 1991, Jack Hutchinson of Jack’s Drum Hutch organized a Drummer’s Swap Meet which was held in a lower level conference room of a Holiday Inn in Loves Park, Illinois. Participants included Rebeats, Randy Rainwater and Bun E Carlos, Chuck Scalia, Joe Luoma, Blair Holben, Jack Brand’s Percussion Express, Skins N Tins, and a couple of others.
Read moreAaron Latos Hand Crafted Brass Snare Drum
Aaron Latos is a young drum maker from Newburgh, NY who is making hand crafted nickel/brass snare drums.
Read moreMike Clark - Words of Wisdom - Chapter 25
Another new chapter in our ongoing series of conversations, quotes, commentary, and updates with jazz/funk drumming legend Mike Clark… Mike’s keen observations provide numerous insights into ‘All Things Music’. -- Mike always just tells it like it is.
Read moreWin This Drum!
See, play, and win the new Famous Drum Company “Celebrity” single ply snare drum at the Chicago Drum Show.
Read moreLudwig Standard S-320 Kit in Blue Strata
No drummer can deny that Made in Japan drums had some of the most eye-catching wraps on the market. This is why Ludwig created 15 unique wraps that had that M.I.J. mojo—most notably, the strata wraps.
Read moreShawn Meehan: Remembering Tony Williams
By the time the Quintet had taken the stage, most of the crowd had left, not willing to endure the weather. I stood amongst a small group of die hards at the front of the stage. It was a torrential downpour at this point. Herbie Hancock had drops of water dripping from his sleeves and onto the piano. I seem to remember it was during Pinnochio when Tony started dropping bombs on the bass drum that the crackle through the PA became more pronounced with each bomb. Eventually the PA went completely out! The band kept on cooking as though nothing had happened. We were listening to them acoustically.
Read moreDid we really need two drummers?
At that time, the Allman Brothers Band was the archetype. We decided to try the double drum sets, which worked out really well. To play double sets requires a lot of intuition and acute listening, as well as a solid assessment of each player’s strengths and weaknesses. I had studied snare drum with a noted classical percussionist, so the double stroke press rolls and the fancy things were mine. Bob had a very organic approach, so I usually had him lay down the floor and I danced around it, but always trying to keep it unified. There is some forethought involved. You have to pre-decide who fills where and when so that you don’t over crowd the aural bandwidth. When done tastefully, having two drummers allows for great shading and dynamics and also looks great on stage.
Read more1936-39 LUDWIG 6.5 x 14 “BUTTERSCOTCH PEARL” (uncatalogued) SUPER-LUDWIG MODEL
This seems to be an uncatalogued finish as it is nowhere to be found -- that I know of -- in any Ludwig literature. I have seen 1 or 2 other Ludwig Butterscotch Pearl snares and I also own a Duplex Spirit of St. Louis in this finish so I personally know that this finish exists. So my best guess is that this is an uncatalogued or special order finish. As always I welcome any other information that may be out there regarding this finish.
Read more1925 Leedy 4 X 14” Black NOB Multi-Model Marvel snare drum
This Multi-Model Marvel is truly a lovely drum and extremely well-preserved. The Marvel strainer works quite nicely and smoothly, applying even tension across all snares. So why do I think it wasn’t successful? First off, the bridge mechanism extends about 1 3/8” from the bottom. For snare stands of the time, this overhang could be problematic.
Read moreSerial Number Ranges of “Born Together” Vintage Ludwig Keystone Badge Drum Sets
This is a companion article to one about Gretsch round badge drums published in December 2020.[i] This study involves Ludwig Keystone badge drums with serial numbers produced from late 1963 to late 1969. Many collectors place a premium on born together drum sets. However, very few vintage drum sets come with original receipts or reliable histories which can assure owners or potential buyers that the sets were originally purchased as one unit from the factory or music instrument retailer. When documentation is not present, many look for sets with closely grouped serial numbers. But how close is close enough?
Read moreMr. Nelson's Opus - A Tribute to Life Long Drum Teachers
Normally I write articles on vintage drums or drum history as I have a love for that stuff. I felt this article would be a great chance to pay tribute to those individuals that have taught drums for many years.
Read moreVintage Cymbal Purchase and Care Tips
Let’s talk about buying vintage cymbals and caring for them.
Having fun with this one
3 over 4 overkill
Read moreThis got me over the hump
I’ve always had a slightly strained relationship with 12/8, so I decided to work on a lot of variants to gain some control. Results turned out to be better than I’d hoped for.
Read more2021 Chicago Drum Show May 15 & 16
Good news! The 30th Anniversary Chicago Drum Show originally set for May, 2020 was delayed, and rescheduled for May 15 and 16 2021. It will be held at the Prairie Events Center of the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles Il., a suburb of Chicago. Go to Rebeats for exhibitor, ticket and policy details.
Read more2012 AK Bob Meyer model snare drum
It's constructed of brass in the old school 1920s Ludwig style soldered at the center bead. The bearing edges are also soldered back to the shell as in the 1920s Ludwigs. It's plated in 24k gold.
Read more20s-30s L & L 10 Lug 5x14 WMP/Engraved/Gold Plated Standard Model
“This drum is unique in that the White Marine Pearl (pyralin) has been expertly engraved, filled in with some type of ink or dye and embellished with blue and gold rhinestones. Engraving was typically restricted to brass shell snare drums of this era but gold plating was a catalogued option. This is most likely a one-off, uncatalogued special order drum.”
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