One thought that has resurfaced is to find a trashed Ludwig Supersensitive with an intact strainer mechanism and transfer the parts to a wood shell.
I have been casually browsing eBay for an SS with an ugly, flaking Ludalloy shell (usually not hard to find) that I can cannibalize. I am pretty sure a 5- or 6-ply Keller maple shell would be a good host for the parts.
This goes on the back burner for now, but it's an idea that keeps coming up.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Are you really an addict?
... if so, join in at the Snare Drum Addict forum. Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving. Seriously, I alluded to creating the forum in my last post, and since I had some time on my hands I threw it together this morning.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Are there any other snare drum addicts out there?
If so, I would gladly put up a forum to discuss our "disease", trade info, etc.
Snare drum of my dreams
In my last post I mentioned one of the remaining snare drums I wanted was a 1920s Ludwig Black Beauty (or 1920s Ludwig snare drum that used the same shell.) There is one modern snare drum that would satisfy that itch: Ludwig's 100th Anniversary Gold Triumphal.
Here is the story: Ludwig's Description, and how it was made. See also the main site.
It's the stuff of which dreams are made. I have a feeling all I can do about it is dream.
Here is the story: Ludwig's Description, and how it was made. See also the main site.
It's the stuff of which dreams are made. I have a feeling all I can do about it is dream.
Gaps & Loose Ends
I left out a builder in my last post, which is Epiarch Drums. Jesse Lizer did a fantastic job on the snare drum, and was very patient with the backorder of the P86 I wanted to use. Great service and first class craftsmanship.
Having 48 snare drums begs to round up the number to 50. So, I have been pondering which two would complete me. There was a time when my dream snare drum was the Ludwig 95th Anniversary model, shown below:
However, I have since had snare drums built that eclipse that one in my opinion.
My current dream is a 1920s Ludwig Black Beauty or a 1920s Ludwig made with the heavy, two-piece shell that was used on the Black Beauty. Of course, when I manage to acquire one, a calf skin batter head is going to be mounted on it. I believe using a mylar head, even a Fiberskyn or Skyntone, would just not do it justice.
So, number 49 has been identified. How about number 50? I am waiting for the next Vaughncraft overstock sale to see if there is anything on the list that I would want. Candidates include purpleheart (an amazing tonewood), a deeper rosewood shell (I have 4.5 and 5.5 rosewood snare drums and love the sound of rosewood), or, perhaps walnut. At this point I am not sure. I will definitely have Kevin Smee of Bowie Custom Drum build it. Kevin has built two snare drums for me already and impressed me with the quality of his work, speed, and pricing - the adage, "Quality, Price, Speed: Pick Two" does not apply to Kevin. You get all three. Picking hardware will be another matter. I have time for that.
On hardware, I will be focusing on lugs, throw offs and the like in my next post.
Having 48 snare drums begs to round up the number to 50. So, I have been pondering which two would complete me. There was a time when my dream snare drum was the Ludwig 95th Anniversary model, shown below:
However, I have since had snare drums built that eclipse that one in my opinion.
My current dream is a 1920s Ludwig Black Beauty or a 1920s Ludwig made with the heavy, two-piece shell that was used on the Black Beauty. Of course, when I manage to acquire one, a calf skin batter head is going to be mounted on it. I believe using a mylar head, even a Fiberskyn or Skyntone, would just not do it justice.
So, number 49 has been identified. How about number 50? I am waiting for the next Vaughncraft overstock sale to see if there is anything on the list that I would want. Candidates include purpleheart (an amazing tonewood), a deeper rosewood shell (I have 4.5 and 5.5 rosewood snare drums and love the sound of rosewood), or, perhaps walnut. At this point I am not sure. I will definitely have Kevin Smee of Bowie Custom Drum build it. Kevin has built two snare drums for me already and impressed me with the quality of his work, speed, and pricing - the adage, "Quality, Price, Speed: Pick Two" does not apply to Kevin. You get all three. Picking hardware will be another matter. I have time for that.
On hardware, I will be focusing on lugs, throw offs and the like in my next post.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Suppliers, Services and More Builders
Continuing from my last post, here is a list of other suppliers, service providers and builders I have used and with whom I am extremely happy based on the excellent services and products I have received.
Dana Bentley, from whom I have purchased countless Leedy three point strainers and Leedy extended butts (among other products.) Dana's prices are more than reasonable, and he ships quickly.
Joseph at Best Drum Deals. Over the years I have purchased lugs, single-flange hoops and clips, and assorted parts from him and they quickly arrive. He epitomizes the meaning of customer service.
The Precision Drum Company Team. I have had shells wrapped, edges and snare beds done, and other services from the team at Precision Drum Company and marvel at the speedy turnaround and amazing workmanship each time. These folks are fast and do it right!
Eric Sooy and Team at Drum Foundry do more than merely sell parts. Eric is a sponsor of the Ghostnote Drum Lab,as well as a percussionist in his own right. Whenever possible I buy from Drum Foundry to repay all he has done for the community.
John Rose and Team at Vaughncraft Percussion have made possible many of my snare drums through the numerous overstock sales they post on Ghostnote and via email. It would be an understatement to say I love Vaughncraft steambent shells!
François Filiatrault of Unix Drums. Frankie is a master craftsman whose stave shells are a work of art (to say the least). I had one of his shells in solid bubinga that was a marvel of both construction and sound.
Dana Bentley, from whom I have purchased countless Leedy three point strainers and Leedy extended butts (among other products.) Dana's prices are more than reasonable, and he ships quickly.
Joseph at Best Drum Deals. Over the years I have purchased lugs, single-flange hoops and clips, and assorted parts from him and they quickly arrive. He epitomizes the meaning of customer service.
The Precision Drum Company Team. I have had shells wrapped, edges and snare beds done, and other services from the team at Precision Drum Company and marvel at the speedy turnaround and amazing workmanship each time. These folks are fast and do it right!
Eric Sooy and Team at Drum Foundry do more than merely sell parts. Eric is a sponsor of the Ghostnote Drum Lab,as well as a percussionist in his own right. Whenever possible I buy from Drum Foundry to repay all he has done for the community.
John Rose and Team at Vaughncraft Percussion have made possible many of my snare drums through the numerous overstock sales they post on Ghostnote and via email. It would be an understatement to say I love Vaughncraft steambent shells!
François Filiatrault of Unix Drums. Frankie is a master craftsman whose stave shells are a work of art (to say the least). I had one of his shells in solid bubinga that was a marvel of both construction and sound.
Builders I Recommend
The following list of builders is based on firsthand experience - each of them have built snare drums or kits for me, and I higly recommend their work:
Dan von Gartzen of Raven Drums, Oviedo, FL. Dan built my first custom snare drum, the 6x14 maple shell with curly maple and walnut veneer, and went on to build my bubinga jazz and bop kit. His work is excellent, especially his artistry in veneers. He has apparently scaled back on building, but is gauging interest in a Bonham style/sized kit.
Tim McKenzie of McKenzie Drums out of Charlotte. Tim built the following drums and kits for me: Vaughncraft 4.5x14 Maple, Vaughncraft 5.5x14 Mahogany (with hoops by Stellar), Vaughncraft 4.5x14 Rosewood, Vaughncraft 6x14 Myrtle (originally built for Rob Richards, but I managed to acquire it), Vaughncraft 6x14 Magnesium Radio King Clone, and a Vaughncraft 6.5x14 Leedy clone in Vaughncraft Mahogany. Tim also built my Keller Vintage Mahogany Slingerland Clone Kit.
Kevin Smee of Bowie Custom Drum built my Rosewood and Olive Ash snare drums using Vaughncraft shells. Kevin gets the fastest turnaround award. He is quick (amazingly so), and his prices are, perhaps, too low. His workmanship is top notch.
In my next post I'll cover a few more builders from whom I've gotten single snare drums, my sources for parts like the new Leedy three-point throws, and where I occasionally have wraps, bearing edges and snare beds done when my primary builders are busy.
Dan von Gartzen of Raven Drums, Oviedo, FL. Dan built my first custom snare drum, the 6x14 maple shell with curly maple and walnut veneer, and went on to build my bubinga jazz and bop kit. His work is excellent, especially his artistry in veneers. He has apparently scaled back on building, but is gauging interest in a Bonham style/sized kit.
Tim McKenzie of McKenzie Drums out of Charlotte. Tim built the following drums and kits for me: Vaughncraft 4.5x14 Maple, Vaughncraft 5.5x14 Mahogany (with hoops by Stellar), Vaughncraft 4.5x14 Rosewood, Vaughncraft 6x14 Myrtle (originally built for Rob Richards, but I managed to acquire it), Vaughncraft 6x14 Magnesium Radio King Clone, and a Vaughncraft 6.5x14 Leedy clone in Vaughncraft Mahogany. Tim also built my Keller Vintage Mahogany Slingerland Clone Kit.
Kevin Smee of Bowie Custom Drum built my Rosewood and Olive Ash snare drums using Vaughncraft shells. Kevin gets the fastest turnaround award. He is quick (amazingly so), and his prices are, perhaps, too low. His workmanship is top notch.
In my next post I'll cover a few more builders from whom I've gotten single snare drums, my sources for parts like the new Leedy three-point throws, and where I occasionally have wraps, bearing edges and snare beds done when my primary builders are busy.
Monday, November 23, 2009
1961 Slingerland Modern Solo SR kit
12x20 bass drum, 8x12 rack tom (someone added a 12x15 stage model floor tom at some point). Shown with a Ludwig & Ludwig "tribute" in BDP made from a 5.5x14 Keller Vintage Maple shell.
Shown withh the following cymbals: 14" A. Zildjian & Cie "Vintage" hats and a circa late 50s/early 60s 22" Avedis ride.
Bird's Eye View:
Three Other Views:
With My Early 70s Set-O-Matic Kit
Shown withh the following cymbals: 14" A. Zildjian & Cie "Vintage" hats and a circa late 50s/early 60s 22" Avedis ride.
Bird's Eye View:
Three Other Views:
With My Early 70s Set-O-Matic Kit
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Some Quick Q&A
I've posted the fact that I've updated this blog on a few forums, and have gotten a few questions that I'll answer here:
Q. What? No Acrolites?
A. Shhhh! Acrolites are the best kept secret among drummers who know great sounding snare drums. The truth is I have had four in the past two years and wound up selling them. Why? First, I have a gaggle of Ludwig Supraphonics that render them redundant. Second, I have way too many metal snare drums as it is, and wood snare drums are my favorite.
Q. Do you actually play them?
A. With the exception of the Pearl 50th Anniversary model, all of them get played. They go into a rotation. Some stay in rotation longer than others, but all get played. The Pearl I mentioned has special heads that I want to keep as pristine as possible. I could change the head to something like a coated Ambassador, but there is also the issue of the 24K gold plated hardware that would probably wear quickly if handled.
Q. Why don't you have [fill in your favorite brand] snare drums.
A. My two favorite modern brands are Ludwig and Pearl. I've tried most other modern brands (but not every model) and they just don't seem to have the same mojo. Also, I prefer either vintage or custom made snare drums - amply represented in my collection - and see no real reason to acquire everything. These days I am more focused on custom made snare drums from steam bent shells.
Q. Most of your custom made snare drums have only 8 lugs. Why?
A. As far as I am concerned all a snare drum needs is 8 lugs. Also, I like the ease of tuning and the more open sound I get from an 8 lug snare drum compared to 10 lugs.
Q. What is with all of the old fashioned hoops?
A. I like open sounding snare drums and those hoops give me the sound I want.
Q. Are any for sale?
A. The only sacred snare snare drum is the Leedy & Ludwig I named "La Fica".
Q. What? No Acrolites?
A. Shhhh! Acrolites are the best kept secret among drummers who know great sounding snare drums. The truth is I have had four in the past two years and wound up selling them. Why? First, I have a gaggle of Ludwig Supraphonics that render them redundant. Second, I have way too many metal snare drums as it is, and wood snare drums are my favorite.
Q. Do you actually play them?
A. With the exception of the Pearl 50th Anniversary model, all of them get played. They go into a rotation. Some stay in rotation longer than others, but all get played. The Pearl I mentioned has special heads that I want to keep as pristine as possible. I could change the head to something like a coated Ambassador, but there is also the issue of the 24K gold plated hardware that would probably wear quickly if handled.
Q. Why don't you have [fill in your favorite brand] snare drums.
A. My two favorite modern brands are Ludwig and Pearl. I've tried most other modern brands (but not every model) and they just don't seem to have the same mojo. Also, I prefer either vintage or custom made snare drums - amply represented in my collection - and see no real reason to acquire everything. These days I am more focused on custom made snare drums from steam bent shells.
Q. Most of your custom made snare drums have only 8 lugs. Why?
A. As far as I am concerned all a snare drum needs is 8 lugs. Also, I like the ease of tuning and the more open sound I get from an 8 lug snare drum compared to 10 lugs.
Q. What is with all of the old fashioned hoops?
A. I like open sounding snare drums and those hoops give me the sound I want.
Q. Are any for sale?
A. The only sacred snare snare drum is the Leedy & Ludwig I named "La Fica".
Slingerland Early 70s BDP kit
Slingerland early 70s SoM kit. 14x20, 8x12, 14x14 with a 6.5x14 "tribute" snare. Currently mounted: 20" K Custom Session Ride and 14" K Custom Session hats.
Bubinga Veneer kit by Raven Drums
Dan von Gartzen of Raven Drums in Oviedo, Florida built this kit for me from Keller maple VSS 8-ply shells. He did an amazing job with the bubinga veneer (one of his specialties is veneering).
Specs: 8-ply Keller maple shells with bubinga veneer
Bass drums (I have the option of bop or jazz sizes) 14x18 and 12x20 (the shallower 12x20 is very boomy!)
Toms: standard 8x12 and 14x14
Snare drum [not shown] I had a solid, stave shell bubinga snare drum made in by Unix Canada for this kit: 6.5x14. I have since sold the snare drum, using whatever strikes my fancy when I set up the kit these days (it's not like I don't have a few from which to choose!)
I opted for Champagne lugs and wanted wood hoops, and also used the Dunnett Rail Mount as the tom mounting system. That mount is pretty versatile, and can also be used to transform a floor tom into a small bass drum.
With the 12x120 bass drum:
Another view:
Close up of the grain on the bubinga:
Specs: 8-ply Keller maple shells with bubinga veneer
Bass drums (I have the option of bop or jazz sizes) 14x18 and 12x20 (the shallower 12x20 is very boomy!)
Toms: standard 8x12 and 14x14
Snare drum [not shown] I had a solid, stave shell bubinga snare drum made in by Unix Canada for this kit: 6.5x14. I have since sold the snare drum, using whatever strikes my fancy when I set up the kit these days (it's not like I don't have a few from which to choose!)
I opted for Champagne lugs and wanted wood hoops, and also used the Dunnett Rail Mount as the tom mounting system. That mount is pretty versatile, and can also be used to transform a floor tom into a small bass drum.
With the 12x120 bass drum:
Another view:
Close up of the grain on the bubinga:
Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz Kit
I traded some cymbals for this kit with the intent of selling it. The wrap is called Rustic Pearl, which has a nice merlot color. For the time being I am using it on occasion, and have grown to like it a lot. The weak link in these kits is supposed to be the snare drum. The one that came with it is not as horrible as I thought it would be. Not great by any stretch of the imagination, but usable.
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