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The first vintage & Custom Drum Magazine, since 1988
But at the peak of his fame, at just 34 years of age, his life was cut short by the chronic spinal tuberculosis that had left him four feet tall with a hump on his back.”
Read more“The gold Gretsch snare was circa 69-70 and done right on the cusp of the transition from Round Badge to SSB.” -Steve Maxwell
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Whitehall was a brand from David Wexler & Co, a company which started in 1920 as a musical instrument distributor in Chicago. The early drums in the Wexler catalog were American made by Kent, but as time passed they were all made by Pearl.
Read moreWhen I acquired this drum a few weeks back it arrived in its original hard case but it was missing the brass flange, ring and bearing edge screws. A friend suggested I ask Mike Curotto.
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The oldest drum company in America introduces “U” created and designed in collaboration with Ulysses Owens Jr. - the three-time Grammy Award winning drummer and Juilliard educator. With his students in mind, Ulysses wanted a snare drum that was both high quality, yet affordable.
Read moreIn 2009, I saw an ad for a 1930’s Ludwig Standard 5 x 14 snare drum re-issue. Adrian Kirchler, owner of AK Drums in Valdaora di Sotto Italy, was making 60 replicas of this 2-piece shell snare. Even though I heard about it late, I was able to get on the list to purchase one through Long & McQuade, a musical instrument store in Toronto.
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Joseph Paul Montineri, March 23, 1951 – April 24, 2024
If the modern era of boutique drum making has a father, it’s Joe Montineri. -Phil Hood in DRUM! magazine
Over the years, I acquired many collectable drums, cymbals, stands and pedals, percussion instruments, gadgets, etc. I have gone through two “purges” of selling my collections. What’s left are my favorite things - some new, some old.
Read moreAsk a musician what kind of time signature is 9/8 and you’ll no doubt get the answer, it’s compound time.
Read moreThe entire drum is bright gold plated. L & L did offer gold plating as an option so this drum could be a special order or the drum may have been plated after market.
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Hello drummers:
Many of you knew Bob Gatzen and Creative Music, a great drum shop in Wethersfield, CT, back in the old days, so wanted to pass on notice of his memorial service.
Trevor
Hello drummers:
Many of you knew Bob Gatzen and Creative Music, a great drum shop in Wethersfield, CT, back in the old days, so wanted to pass on notice of his memorial service.
Trevor Davis
Read moreThe Ludwig & Ludwig catalog of 1937 offered a Super -Ludwig Drum outfit consisting of a 14”x28” single tension bass drum, 5”x14” Super-Ludwig snare drum in “Abalone Pearl,” plus various other traps and cymbals, but no ‘separate tension’ tom toms. Slingerland, however, did offer separate tension tom toms in its 1936 (and presumably 1937) catalog in “Abalone Pearl.”
Read moreFaster Still!!!
When a young drummer asks about the best way to develop speed, the usual answer is “practice slowly”. And no, that's not an oxymoron. Your ability to play fast is 100% determined by the amount of control you have over your limbs. And the best way to develop control is through … wait for it … slow, regular, mindful practice.
In the beginning of Japan’s rise of drum making in the early 60’s all of the major manufacturers in one form or another used Slingerland’s styling in the making of their own drums. Some of these companies were simply inspired and a few crossed the line into infringement, either way Slingerland just let it happen
Read moreIn 2010, I purchased a 4.5 x 14 White Marine Pearl Broadway New Era snare drum from Soul Drums in Toronto. Over the course of time, I traded the drum to Century Drums, previously located in Toronto, for another drum. I regretted that decision and kept my eye out for a chance to buy another one. Luckily just last year, Soul Drums had another 4.5 x 14 Broadway New Era snare only this time in Red Sparkle finish. I’m not parting with this one.
Read moreAnother notice that I have put Not So Modern Drummer Magazine up for sale. If you are an interested party please email me at George@notsomoderndrummer.com for details. I bought a private island and will be retiring there. There’s a drum set on it.
John Crocken announces that the winner of his Speed-A-Beat bass drum pedal attachment was Alan Pollard of Flower Mound, TX. Congratulations Alan! To check out John’s Speed-A-Beat, go to this DrumSellers listing
Joel Rothman, probably the most prolific writer of drum instruction books, is offering a free book to anyone who would like to have it. His “Rock Breaks in a 12/8 Feel: is free to anyone who wants it as a pdf download. It is no longer available in print. Email Joel at joelrothmanpublications@gmail.com. Include your email address so he can email you the pdf. Also visit www.JoelRothman.com to see the 100+ drum books he has written.
And that is all the news from Lake Woebegone.
My friend and fellow drummer, Lucas Jacobson, died on March 21st at the age of 66.
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“See you in the funny papers”
Read moreYou may ask, “Ulysses what if I don’t play gigs requiring brushes?”
I believe for any musician who plays the drums, it doesn’t matter. Learning the brushes is part of your due diligence on the drum kit.
Read moreI am ashamed to admit it, but even as an amateur history buff, I wasn’t familiar with Farris. That all changed a few years ago with the purchase of an early 1960’s Rogers drum set that Farris owned and played. I will attempt to tell his story now as best as I can.
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