Richard Katz's Vintage Ludwigs on exhibit at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix

October 9, 2021 George Lawrence

Ludwig 12x22 bass drum 2 (round furniture pads to protect tom rims).jpg

This past Spring Rich Katz hired me to do an appraisal of his drum set and collection that he donated to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. It is currently on display there. I do appraisals of drums/cymbals/percussion instruments for tax and insurance purposes, as well as for determining resale value. I charge between $100 and $500 for appraisals depending on the number of instruments and the amount of documentation and notarizing desired. For insurance and tax appraisals I base values not on current market value or collector value, but on replacement value which tends to run higher. For resale appraisals, I base the value on current market prices. I thank Rich for bearing with me in getting his appraisal finished and for letting me show his instruments in this article. Nice pictures, Rich!

Eric Roy - The Power Of Inspiration

October 6, 2021 David Barsalou

Recently, Eric was the subject of a podcast where he discusses ALS. He explains how the disease is common in his family, and how it attacks the body. Eric also mentions recent medical trials which have shown some promising results... But more research and funding is required. During these challenging times, Eric and his family need our support and have started a GoFundMe page. Funds collected will provide additional medical care, and medications not covered by insurance. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

Gretsch is looking for a home for an inventory of vintage 70s' Slingerland Timpani parts and pieces

September 7, 2021 George Lawrence

The Gretsch company, which is headquartered in Pooler, GA, published a Request for Proposal to find a home for an inventory of vintage 70s' Slingerland Timpani parts and pieces

Homage to Charlie

September 1, 2021 Kurt Ekstrom

I never met Charlie or any other of the Rolling Stones but I feel fortunate as I was able to indirectly help put a rare WFL drum Charlie owned back to original shape. Charlie acquired a late 30’s WFL twin snare drum that had off-set lugs and the type of strainers that often broke at the tip. Charlie’s drum had one broken strainer and his tech, Don McAulay was looking to find a replacement strainer

Wood and Weather Drum Shop

September 1, 2021 David Barsalou

Joe's new address is a large two story building housing an enormous array of vintage snares, sets, and cymbals literally stacked up from floor to ceiling... It reminded me of the first time I walked into Charley Donnelly’s Newington, CT Drum Center in the mid - 1970’s -- Only on a much larger scale.

Richie Morales: Remembering Tony Williams

August 31, 2021 David Barsalou

…the tricky syncopation and meter change in the seventh bar, the minor blues form and the improvisation of the piece still blow my mind to this day and served to open my young ears to form and melody in Jazz. Tony’s cymbal sound of the period is so organic it doesn’t even sound like stick on metal to me. His orchestration of phrases across the whole set, the use of the bass drum as an extra tom voice, the shift of the primary time keeping to stepped 1/8th notes on the hi hat, splashes of colorful cymbal work, all new to my ears, and everybody else’s too. Like so many other musicians I fell under the influence of Anthony Tillman Williams.

Reproduction of the "Elvis Set' on display at Memphis Drum Shop

August 31, 2021 Jim Pettit

Just in time for Elvis Week in the middle of August. From the Jim Pettit collection. Refurbishing by Aaron Mlasko.

Direct Mail Advertising from Not So Modern Drummer

August 31, 2021 George Lawrence

NSMD has a mailing list of thousands of active, vintage and contemporary, drum and accessory buyers and, over the summer, they created highly successful campaigns for companies such as Drum Channel, Hudson Music, Cympad, Famous Drums, TRX Cymbals and several others.

Stipelgold drums from different mothers

August 31, 2021 Mike Curotto

I got these three snare drums a while back. The 1926 Ludwig & Ludwig drum catalog introduces “Genuine Stipelgold” to the drum market. As collectors we have seen the only “Stipelgold” finish on Ludwig drums but here are three mystery “Stipelgold” snare drums from different mothers (companies).

Charles Connor, architect of the rock and roll drum beat, passed July 31, 2021

August 31, 2021 George Lawrence

Charles Connor explains how he and Little Richard created the straight eighth rock and and roll beat.

…Connor then joined Little Richard in the studio to record the classics “Ooh! My Soul,” “She’s Got It,” and “Keep-A-Knockin.'” His iconic drum intro to the latter song was recreated by John Bonham on the Led Zeppelin classic “Rock & Roll.”

Gene Krupa: A Tribute

August 31, 2021 admin

And he had chops. Bellson says, "I would say that Gene was a great influence on every drummer. He brought drums to the foreground. Before his time, it was, 'Oh well, we've got 17 musicians and a drummer.' When he came into the picture, drums became a solo instrument. He added that great integrity to the drum section. When you see a drum soloist, even today, Gene is responsible for that."

Charlie Watts :-(

August 31, 2021 George Lawrence

When I received my first snare drum in the sixth grade I played along to the 45 rpm single record of “Satisfaction” incessantly. I still, to this day, think it is the best rock and roll drum track ever recorded…and it’s nothing but quarter notes on the snare drum and bass drum! Unrelenting, pile driving, perfect timing, tempo like a metronome, simple quarter notes. It’s so simple that you wait in anticipation of a little variation -expecting him to break face. But NO.

From Editor George Lawrence

August 31, 2021 George Lawrence

“Always the students” Charlie Watts, Don McAulay, Jim Keltner

I have written a short piece in this issue about Charlie Watts and how he inspired and influenced me. A friend of mine, Jim Basile, said “Charlie Watts was the Mel Lewis of Rock. I can give no higher compliment. For those of you familiar with Mel Lewis, you'll understand completely. For those of you unfamiliar with Mel, you NEED to be.”

Sung and Unsung Heroes - Jen Ledger

August 31, 2021 Bruce Barber

Band members from Skillet discovered Ledger when they attended church services in the United States, where she was living at the time, and asked Ledger to audition for an open drummer spot in the band. She has been Skillet's drummer and female vocalist since 2008, beginning with their promotional tour for the album “Comatose”.

Going Forward...Or Is It Backwards?

August 31, 2021 Mat Marucci

I’m in a drum shop owned by an excellent drummer and good friend of mine. My friend’s son was also a drummer and walked into the store. He went to a practice pad and told his father, “Check-out the new lick I worked-out” and proceeded to demonstrate it on the pad. The father said, “Yeah. That’s a flam paradiddle-diddle” or some similar sounding drum rudiment. The son said incredulously, “There’s a rudiment like this?!?.”

1970s Ludwig Deluxe Classic Drum Set

August 31, 2021 Phil Wilson

My favorite finish on Ludwig drums is Oyster Black Pearl. I think every Ludwig collector loves this finish. When Ringo chose Oyster Black for his Ludwig drums, he made a great choice. They were perfect for the Beatles as they looked so good even on black and white TV. The 1970s version of this finish made a radical change. The pattern became bigger and the color became blacker. I love the seventies version of this finish, but I must admit I like the 60s version more. The Oyster Black finish survives to this day and the newer versions look great.

Vintage Chrome Roto Tom Set: A Dream Realized

August 31, 2021 Edward Tucker

Trying to acquire all chrome Roto Tom’s especially the largest of 18 inches proved to be quite challenging. After a couple years of searching, bidding and buying all necessary parts and drums including entire collections to sometimes get just one piece I was finally ready to build the set.

From Editor George Lawrence

August 1, 2021 George Lawrence

George Lawrence, Jim Pettit, Greg Morrow - three VERY not so modern drummers! (at Memphis Drum Shop)

-Arnie Lang passes
-New England Drum Show postponed
-Summer of Soul a must see
-We are selling back issues of Classic Drummer/Vintage Drummer magazine

Slingerland Banjo & Drum Co. “Fancher” Model Drum Sticks in Original Box and Sleeve

July 31, 2021 Edward Tucker

This pair is unused and quite extraordinary. What you are looking at is a pair of 1920s Slingerland Banjo & Drum Co. Gold Sticks Purple End with original water decal in their original box with inner sleeve. These are the Slingerland “Fancher Model”. They are stamped Slingerland 1-H on one stick only.

Understanding Ludwig’s Use of “Anti-Galvanic” Stamps and Stickers on Chrome Drums 1968 - 1984

July 31, 2021 Rick Gier

Ludwig utilized two different types of stamps and three different stickers to indicate that the anti-galvanic finishing process was used on its chrome-plated shells. By gathering information from chrome-plated drums and exchanging emails with the president of the company which provided plating for Ludwig, a timeline of the different stamps/stickers is developed. These interior stamps/stickers are another useful tool to authenticate and date vintage Ludwig drums.

Database of Articles 11/13 to current