Since I’m a little old school and like conventional crashes, I decided to use this one as a substitute for my 20” China cymbal that I always use with my kit. This thing definitely explodes quickly and gets out of the way. It has the same sharp and cutting characteristics of a China. I give it a thumbs up.
Read moreWhere would this old drum rank on a scale of dumpster to museum?
I purchased an old drum in Nashville in the mid-90s and have never been able to identify its manufacturer or its value.
Read moreDelay in sending July 2021 issue of Not So Modern Drummer
The July 2021 issue of Not So Modern Drummer has been delayed for a few days. We normally send it via email on the last day of each month but ran into a last minute issue with our subscriber email list. It needs to be cleaned to be in compliance with spam regulations, or else be barred from sending bulk email. This usually takes 24 to 48 hours so look for it within the first week of August. Sorry for the delay.
Read moreIn Memoriam: Morris “Arnie” Lang (Feb. 2, 1931 – July 5, 2021)
Morris Arnold Lang, known to his friends as “Arnie”, passed away recently following an unfortunate accident. Arnie was a talented musician, educator, prolific writer, and craftsman (Lang Percussion), devoted husband and father. In his nine decades on this planet, he gifted us with the legacy of his music, educational books/videos, many students, family, friendship, and amazingly crafted drums in the spirit of Billy Gladstone. While one always wishes for more time with such wonderful people, we are reminded how blessed we are to have lived in his presence.
Read more1930-32 Ludwig & Ludwig 6.5 x 15” Peacock Pearl Super-Sensitive Snare Drum
I now own several Ludwig Peacock Pearl snares, but all are 5 x 14”. In late 2020, I found out that Paul “Jamo” Jamieson was thinking of retiring and paring down his drum collection. Jamo is well known for his many contributions to the music industry as a drum tech and cartage/rental businessman. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the music business and accumulated some amazing drums along the way. In one of our many engaging conversations, Jamo mentioned that he had some cool vintage drums that I might be interested in. One of these was a 6.5 x 15” (yes, 15”!) Ludwig Super-Sensitive in Peacock Pearl.
Read moreFrom the editor
Not much news to report from me personally other than my new obsession with rare Gretsch Renown 57 drums. You know the ones; they come in red, blue and black 57 Chevy colors with a white chevron that is trimmed in chrome. I
Read moreThe One I Thought Got Away! 1950 Radio King
The story of the snare was vague, but from the extended family members of the original owner from whom I purchased it, it goes something like this; he bought it and never played it for whatever reason, and the later generations always respected the drum and never touched it. Not a lot of details but a very graceful unembellished straight-to-the-point explanation. They didn’t mince words or get into an epic narrative.
I am so grateful that it was left unscathed.
So now, here, is my unplayed, unused, 100% original MINT 1950 Slingerland Krupa Model Radio King No. 143 WMP 5.5” x 14” Solid One Piece Shell “Radio King” Engraved Nickel over Brass Rim 3-Point Strainer Tin Straps Snare Drum in it’s original Canvas Bag.
Jim Kersey: Remembering Tony Williams
Later in 2006, I would start drum lessons with legendary drummer Joe Porcaro in Thousand Oaks CA. Joe had many of Tony Williams’s transcriptions, and even had a story about his son Jeff and Tony recording together at Capital Records studio, saying, “Tony hurried in at the last minute, did the session and left soon after to catch a flight.” On Les Dudek’s ‘Zorro Rides Again’ , Tony’s sound is unique and identifiable - K Zildjian cymbals, Gretsch drums in 24" bass drum, 18' 16" 14" floor toms 14" 13" mounted toms, and 14" snare drum with Remo Black dots on all the toms and snare. His new signature sticks had dimensions similar to a 2B.
Read moreBuescher Drums
In trying to determine whether the Buescher Company also did drums among their band instruments, I came across your post/article on a Buescher drum, confirming for me that they did in fact make (or at least distribute) drums as well.
Read moreVintage Duco Family
One would think that the less expensive drums would have the DuCo finishes but these four snares are perfect examples of higher end (and somewhat rare) drums whose owners chose the less expensive shell finish option. In my opinion this is like putting Sears tires on a Ferrari…but I still will not pass up a rare snare drum with an inexpensive finish.
Read more1970s Ludwig Clear Vistalite Big Beat Outfit
My vintage drum collecting started out with a five-piece Ludwig clear Vistalite set in the 90s. There was a classified ad in my local newspaper that listed two Ludwig drum sets for sale. I bought the two sets and one of them was a clear Vistalite set, and the other a Rocker set. I cleaned up the Ludwig Rocker set and sold it for the price of both sets. I kept the Vistas and my collecting vintage drums started. It was downhill like a snow ball from then on.
Read moreLester LTD Dance Drum? Mr. Know-It-All is stumped.
I’m stumped. You?
Read more1930s Carlton "The Prince" Dual Snare Drum
The drum has that 30s era quality brass sound and the silk wires give it that dry orchestra sound. The top wires make it very dry and totally dampen the ring/sustain. They actually sound better than the to wires of either the 20s Ludwig Super Sensitive or the 30s Leedy Dual (both 6&1/2 x14) that I also own.
Read moreFrench Pax Snare
With more than 15 lbs of engineering, this snare is very complex ! Léon AGEL wanted to create a snare drum whose top and bottom heads can be adjust with a single screw... and snare wire under each head... An aluminum shell, 2 strainers, 2 wire tensions screws, 2 mufflers, 2 fixed hoops and a big internal tension system...
Read moreClassic Drummer & Vintage Drummer Magazine back issues at DrumSellers.com
The collection of all the Classic Drummer/Vintage Drummer Magazines still in print is available through Not So Modern Drummer at DrumSellers.com. All 17 of the print issues still in stock are available from former editor/owner Billy Jeansonne for a very low price $34.95 - plus $5.95 shipping. That’s about $2.40 an issue!
Read moreReview of Lem's Cymbal Felts and Cymbal Sleeves
My opinion: The advantage to using Lem’s Felts is that they last longer, and let your cymbals’ sound sustain longer because they are made with superior materials by a niche manufacturer who cares about quality. The cymbal sleeves are of a more flexible and durable plastic than most, and will not damage your cymbals.
Read moreTrauma Center: Extreme Drum Repair
The drum is a 5.5 x 14 inch Yamaha upper-line plywood snare drum, 90's era, with a stained red mahogany finish. As you can see by the photos, the snare-side bearing edge was brutalized. At one of the snare beds, the shell laminates had been torn away and were missing in a V-shaped area roughly four inches long and extending to about an inch and a half from the edge near the snare gate. Besides this major damage, the bearing edge was pretty chewed up on another part of the snare side. The shell was mostly in round otherwise. It was not a pretty sight.
Read more1955 Leedy New Era Outfit
This is a 1955 Leedy New Era Outfit in excellent condition. This set is originally a 3 piece but I added a perfect matching floor tom from the 60’s to round out the kit. This is a great version of a small light vintage kit for the “jobbing” drummer. Easy to fit in the cabs and cars of yesteryear!
Read moreTHE RARE SLINGERLAND BROADCASTER TRI-COLOR SNARE DRUM
Unfortunately, Gretsch had a drum model with a similar name. Their Broadcaster was spelled with a K instead of a C. When Gretsch realized the similarities, they felt it was an infringement on their own drum products and rights. A lawsuit ensued and the court ruled in favor of Gretsch, so Slingerland had to drop the Broadcaster name, so it was only produced from 1934 to 1935.
Read moreNew England Drum Show, April 3, 2022
In the works! A new drum show in Springfield MA!
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