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Simmons SDS.V: The Original E-Kit

A set of Simmons drums said a great deal about what sort of band you were in. They said you were hip and modern, even if you were nothing of the sort!

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In Search Of The Real Ringo Kit

The exact makeup of Ringo’s Ludwig Black Oyster drum kit has been debated for decades. In this article, we look at some of the most famous variations.

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1930s Slingerland Tone Flange Artist Model Snare

We take a close look at an attempt by Slingerland to create an early tone control on its Artist Model line of snare drums, in a bit of 1930s hi-tech.

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Gladstone Gold-Lacquered & Plated Snare

Percussionist, builder, inventor, and teacher Billy Gladstone made about 50 snare drums in his time. Only two were gold plated and lacquered. Here’s one of them.

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Gene Krupa’s Custom Gladstone Snare

A student of vintage drums for 20 years, I am often asked, "What is the rarest vintage drum?" The Gene Krupa Billy Gladstone Custom Drum is the winner.

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Here Today, Gone This Afternoon

Vintage buff Bob Henrit still can’t figure out why the Rogers Series 2 drum kit line – with its lightweight shells – barely made it past the shipping dock.

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The Last Incarnation Of The Ludwig Deluxe

Here’s the story of one man’s love affair with the Ludwig Deluxe, which most readers know more commonly as a Black Beauty, and his historic search.

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Ludwig & Ludwig Gold Triumphal Standard Snare

We take a close look at a one-of-a-kind Ludwig & Ludwig Gold Triumphal Standard Snare once owned by the ’20s movie star William Hart.

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The Romanian A: Zildjian’s Missing Link

Here lies a brief history of Zildjian as well as a look at some vintage cymbals from the legendary company named "Romanian A's."

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Ludwig Super-Sensitive: The Eternal Throwoff

Ludwig was one of the first companies to introduce a workable design for a parallel snare mechanism — the Super Sensitive – which set the bar high.