Although the English vintage drum market tends to be flooded with Premier, Olympic and Beverley drums, Carlton offered some really nice sets that often swoop under most people’s radar.
Read more1923-25 Ludwig & Ludwig Wood Black Beauty
All these years I had thought that the hardware was the DeLuxe (copper plated/gold lacquer) plating but as I began this restoration I discovered that the hardware is gold plated.
Read more1962 Ludwig Super Classic in Sparkling Galaxy Pearl
This June installment of Vintage Happiness is featuring a set that had long been a bucket list item of mine. Finally this time last year I was able to locate one in excellent condition.
Read moreThe 2016 Connecticut Vintage and Custom Drum Show
Danny Seraphine
Once again, Rick Smith’s annual vintage and custom drum show at The Sphinx Shriners Center in Newington, Connecticut was a huge success.
Read more1976 Slingerland Rock Outfit
Slingerland drums are very cool drums. The set I am showing you this month was owned by the original owner since they were brand new, and I fell in love with this five piece set the first time I saw them.
Read more1947 WFL Big Time Kit
This set is a 1947 WFL Big Time kit with the sizes 14x26-16x16-9x13-6.5x14. One cool and unique factor was this kit had all working, no issues, original WFL Zephyr lugs - even offset version lugs on the tom. Most of the time these old lugs have issues with the threading. Fortunately for me there are no issues.
Read moreThe Gretsch Building Turns 100
I sometimes wonder if the people currently living on what used to be the seventh floor of the Gretsch Building are aware of all the musical history that happened there (and all of the stars and legends that walked those floors when they visited the factory).
Read moreOlympic by Premier, drums from the seventies
This month I’m looking at Olympic drums from the 1970s. Marketed by Premier as ‘professional drums at inexpensive prices’ they were always viewed as cheap. Recently, Olympic drums have made resurgence and kits in good condition are steadily rising in price.
Read more1960s Ludwig WMP "Super Beat" Set
The Ludwig set I'm showing you from my collection is a real beauty. This is a very niceLudwig Super Beat set. I am not totally sure who started calling this configuration "Super Beat" but I like it. The set is a Super Classic set with a 20X14 bass drum. Since it has a 20X14 like the "Downbeat" and 16X16 and 13X9 toms like a "Super Classic" the collectors have named these sets "Super Beat".
Read more1968 Ludwig Standard Kit S-300 in Lemon Strata
The Ludwig Standard line of drums were introduced in 1968 to be a lower end priced kit to compete with the flood of imports that were coming in at the time from overseas.
However, the great thing is that, like the Club Dates, you were getting the same shell found in the classic line shells of that time, just with different hardware (less expensive to cut costs).
Read moreThe Goodwilled Salesman: 1951 WFL Banded Pearl 6.5"x 14" Snare Drum
The actual drums that were used to feature all of the finish offerings by WFL at this time were titled Dealer Display. This option was made available to dealers beginning in the 1949 catalog in which all seven of the pearl finishes were featured vertically on each panel of a 12” x 15” field drum.
Read moreWanted - Premier 2000 parts
I need a tensioner and a damper for a premier 2000 snare
Read moreRip off alert
My friends, I am seeking the help of anyone that may have information on some missing gear. Unfortunately, my drum storage area was robbed and a lot of stuff was taken. So far, this is what I know has been taken
Read moreWhat do I have here?
Hello, I stumbled onto your site and I'm pleased I have I must say. I have a very old (I think) Ludwig 28" x 14" I believe, but measuring from outside of each hoop the overall width is 16".
Read moreLyon And Healy 1909 military snare drum
This is a Lyon and Healy early 1900s Antique Military snare drum that dates to around 1909. This drum began its journey in Chicago - manufactured at the Lyon and Healy factory & salesroom located 213, 214, and 217 South Canal Street on the corner of State & Monroe back in the day per label inside the drum shell. 1977 Ludwig engraved Black Beauty
The 1977 Black Beauties were the first ones Ludwig had made since 1940. They were offered in 14"X5" and 14"X6.5" with a p-85 throw, and also Ludwig offered these in Super Sensitive model too. The shell was made of a single sheet of brass drawn and spun into a seamless construction. The black chrome plating gave it the striking appearance. These drums were provided with the Blue and Olive badge and an internal muffler. Factory machine engraving was offered in 1979. These 1970s Black Beauties are great collector drums.
1925-30 Leedy 5x14 #704E Black Elite Model snare drum - not engraved
Here’s the latest snare drum to enter into the collection. This drum was willed to me by a good friend who had passed away a few years ago. My friend’s wife was ready to sell some of his snare drums and she told me that her husband had specified that I was to be contacted in order to help her sell the drums. The drum in this article was originally found in “as is” condition in an antique store many years ago by my friend’s mother. The drum is in 100 % original factory condition.
Read more1964 Special order Ludwig Club Date set
This month's kit is a beautiful Ludwig Club Date from 1964. As you can see, it's Sparkling Red Pearl which is fitting for Valentine's Day. This kit came to me from a great vintage drum dealer out of the Midwest - Randy Houck Vintage Drums. He has amazing kits from all manufacturers and was a pleasure to do business with.
Read more1936 Ludwig & Ludwig 6.5 x 14 WMP/Chrome Silver Anniversary Super Sensitive Model
I rarely sell or trade my snare drums but this was an easy deal. The drum that I traded to Mark was a 1920s-30s Gretsch Emerald Green Pearl American Model. Mark is Mr. Sea Green Pearl and has the matching Gretsch EGP bass drum so I was happy to be able to help him get the matching snare drum and in turn Mark added another rare snare drum to my collection.
Read moreHistory and Development of the Early Snare Strainer, 1889 - 1920
The first working snare release with a lever mechanism was patented in 1889. The invention was that of Ellwood E. Fry of Brooklyn, New York
Read more