The drum that started my little collecting hobby two years ago was a 1968 Ludwig Acrolite.  It’s basically a gateway drum – cheap, plentiful, sounds great – and it set me on the road of learning about the last 100 years of drum making and building a collection of essential snare drums. And as I’ve … More 1969 Ludwig Standard Acrolite Finish

As a Canadian drummer and wannabe collector, I have a particular soft spot for Ayotte drums.  Often heralded as the first boutique drum company, it was founded by Ray Ayotte out in Vancouver in the early 1980s.  The drums that came out of his shop are universally praised for their exceptional craftsmanship, with beautiful wood … More 1990s Ayotte Custom Snare Drum

A fellow Yamaha Custom Drums owner gave me the heads up about a pretty unique set of drums.  These were for sale on the Chicago Music Exchange site a few months ago, and were listed as an early 2000s Absolute Maple Custom drum kit with wood hoops. Of course, the badge says they’re Yamaha Custom … More Yamaha Custom Drums, Part 4

The great thing about collecting vintage drums is the vast range of options and pricing.  As much as I’d like to have an engraved 1920s Ludwig Black Beauty in my collection, it’s a bit out of my price range at the moment (unless I stumble across one at an estate sale or Goodwill store, which … More 1970 Ludwig Standard Snare

High on my list of snare drums I’d like to own is a Leedy Broadway snare from the 1940s.  I love the Art Deco beavertail lugs, the engraved snare hoop, the classic white marine pearl finish.  But while doing my regular eBay scan for a Broadway the other night, I came across another (much cheaper) … More 1956-57 Leedy Utility Snare Drum