(Under Construction)
Beginning with -----------
would allow me to put together a 40's period looking drum set. Gene and Buddy being the most well known
drummers/bandleaders of the period, I searched sites relating to them for pictures of drums as used with their bands during the
1940's
I have a Gretsch "jazz" kit, so called because of their smaller sizes, 20" bass with 12" and 14" toms. The first thing that had to be
replaced was the bass because I needed a little more wallop, and as I desired a period look to the band, the 20" would have
been incorrect. Vintage Gretsch drums being priced ridiculously out of reach, I opted for Slingerlands as I still had the same
Radio King snare that I played as a beginner, 40+ years ago and a 13" Japanese made tom that had a Slingerland style to it.
Ironically, the first decent set that I owned was a set of WMP Radio Kings almost exactly as pictured here. Forty years later, only
the snare was left.
A little patient searching on e-bay produced a fine looking WMP 22" bass drum with 50's style lugs but 40's T handles, that had
been replated. Obviously a "transition" model made by Slingerland in the early 50's using a mix of new style chrome hardware
and old stock. Another plus was that the drum had never been drilled for hardware, allowing me to use vintage clamp-on
hardware and not having to plug up holes made to accomodate modern fittings. The new bass looked great, but now of course,
the 12" and 14" toms looked a little silly and unbalanced next to the new drum, so------------
Further searching on the great e-bay goldmine of old stuff eventually produced a decrepit 13" WMP tom shell which I was able to
clean up nicely, a set of tom lugs, a pair of replated Radio King stick-chopper hoops, a 16" x 16" tom ( which I recovered), the full
complement of clamp-on spurs, cymbal holders and tom mount.
The cymbal stands are lightweight Yamahas that have a period look. The only part decidedly non period is the Pearl hi hat stand.
Cymbals are 21" Sabian Dry Ride, Paiste 602 18" crash, Stambul (budget Paiste) 18" crash, 14" Zildjian New Beat Hhi hats.
With a full complement of Aquarian vintage style heads, the set was now playable .
Stay tuned.
victoryswing@hotmail.com