Bearing edges are one of the most important factors in determining the tone of a drum. The more wood that contacts the drum head, the less overtone ring you'll hear and the more the sound of the shell will be a factor (the drum head itself is another major part of the sound.)
The three main considerations for a bearing edge are:
Is it a sharp point, or rounded?
What angle is it (both inside and outside the peak)?
Where is the peak in relation to the overall thickness of the shell?
Bopworks Video
Bopworks owner Chris Bennett and drummer Scott Laningham talk about the philosophies and goals behind this unique drumstick company.
Read moreFrom the Editor: December 2016
December 2016 editorial
Read moreMike Clark - Words of Wisdom - Part 12
I was asked the other day who I liked out of the new modern type drummers. For me, Lenny White and Billy Hart are totally "modern" as they are master improvisers that don't sound like anyone but themselves. I never know what they are going to play.
Read moreCLOSED! WE HAVE A WINNER! Chris Szetela of Michigan won a Pearl Limited Edition Snare Drum!
Enter the Pearl Snare Drum contest!
Read more1928 - 1930 Leedy 'Separate Tension' snare drum 5 x 14 - rare Jade Green finish
edy along with his roommate, Sam Cooley, starting manufacturing percussion instruments in their apartment. By the 1920s, The Leedy Manufacturing Co. was producing some of the best built drums on the market and eventually would be label itself “The World’s Largest Drum Company”.
This particular Leedy drum features the unique Jade Green finish offered for a limited amount of time during the late 1920s. The Jade Green Model advertisement below was featured in the 1928 catalog where three different sizes 4x14, 5x14, and 6x14 were available in this particular finish. The finish was inspired by the patterns and colors found in oriental ornaments during this era. The finish wrap was thought to be a cross between a Marine Pearl and Sparkling Gold finishes, utilizing the best of both worlds in flash and elegance.
1960s Mastro Plastic Snare Drum Kit
It's December and all I can say is, "where did the year go?" I can remember when I was young how it seemed like Christmas would never come. Now, it seems like the years are flying by. One thing never changes, when it gets Christmas time all the kids start thinking about getting some new toys. Even though I have joined the senior citizens rank, I like getting new toys myself. The drum from my collection I am featuring this month is sort of a toy drum. This Mastro snare drum was offered to the public as more than a toy and not quite a student musical instrument. It was another effort to supply young people, who had been influenced by The Beatles, with an affordable instrument. I have said it before, after The Beatles played on The Ed Sullivan Show, almost every young person wanted to play an instrument. The Mastro drum even had a connection with the Beatles.
Read more1939 WFL 7 x 14 WMP Twin Sensitive Hollywood Swing Model (cat. no. 421)
This drum is officially the first vintage drum that started my vintage snare drum hobby. I always had about 10 vintage drums lying around that I played here and there but I never paid much attention to the “vintage” aspect of those drums. This changed in March of 1995. I had been reading about vintage drums and my first vintage drum deal was with Sam Adato’s Drum Shop in San Francisco. Sam said that this drum is very rare so I took his word for it and traded a 1960s Gretsch Blue Sparkle round badge snare... the rest is history.
Read moreCarve Out Your Space
Drums are loud. And few if any neighbours would recommend living beside a drummer who practices a lot. So what is a poor, motivated drummer to do? Rent a practice hall? Good idea, but not convenient and not cheap. Just hope the neighbours are OK with it? Ya, I’ve tried that ... pretty risky. Maybe you can fit up a practice room that keeps the sound inside. That would be ideal. It’s also nearly impossible to achieve, but with a bit of time and investment, you can come close enough.
Read moreMystery Drum?
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Read more1956 WFL Buddy Rich Model Super Classic drum set
This is the earliest known set in existence of the finish made famous by the Beatles Ringo Starr, 8 years before Beatlemania hit in 1964. This finish first appears into the Ludwig catalog in 1959 where it can be seen on the Las Vegas Stand Up cocktail outfit. In 1956 WFL Drums biggest star endorser was the one and only Buddy Rich.
Read moreMemphis Drum Shop
Nestled in the heart of Midtown Memphis, located in the ever popular Cooper-Young district, there is a special place with deep ties to music. With its flat white exterior, and black awning, 878 S. Cooper Street is home to none other than the world famous Memphis Drum Shop.
Read moreGaillard & Loiselet "Jazz Band" snare drum
Gaillard & Loiselet is the successor of several manufacturers who exist and succeeded since 1812... This brand has succeeded to "Couturier Pelisson Blanchon". Gaillard & Loiselet was created in the early 1930s and exist still exist on the early 1960s. The factory and the manufacture was in Lyon, at 273, Cours Lafayette and produced essentially wind instruments (trumpet, saxophone, tuba, etc…) and some marching drums and bass drums.
Read moreTruss Tension Drums
The late 1880s – 1900s was what was known as the “transition” period for snare drums and drums in general. This was the transition from rope tension to metal rod tension. It originated from the European or “Prussian“ designed drums consisting of sometimes highly decorated wood hoops over a metal shell. Metal hooks and long te
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