Carlton King Snare

[peoniam]

First up would like to say hi to you all, as this is my first post. Been checking out lots of threads etc. on the forum which has been enlightening - you lot sure know yr stuff! I've been playing on and off for over 25 years, sheeesh. I've always loved smaller kits, particularly classic 60's jazz. Got my eye on a '64 Sonor Chicago Star at the moment.

Anyhow... my folks bought me an old Carlton King snare back in the early 80's, back in the day when no-one wanted any vintage gear. I've come across an old catalogue on the web, which would date it to '48, or earlier:

http://www.drumarchive.com/carlton/

This snare has been languishing in my loft for far too long, bagged up and forgotten. It's in pretty decent nick, considering the battering it took in my youth... I want to get it up to scratch again and wondered whether you good folks could offer any recommendations on heads, snare wires etc.?

Sorry if I've rambled on for too long... Cheers in advance!

[jonnistix]

Welcome to the loony bin! Please post some pix! We love to see them go from "this is how I found it", to "look at me now". With pix we can give you better advice.

[peoniam]

thanks for the welcome! i'll get some pics up after the weekend... it'll probably have had the big scrub up within a month, so i will make sure to post the "after" shots too.

[patrick]

Hi,

I look forward to seeing the pics. Carlton info is pretty scant on the web.

It's a pity there is so little, with Bobby Graham's Carlton's featured on a slew of UK rock hits, we probably all know their sounds more than we know the kits. (His autobiography is on my Christmas list.) Some good Carlton pics here:

http://www.bobbygraham.co.uk/bobbygraham/photos.htm

The same goes for Carlton marching drums. They held pride of place in a lot of pipe bands just prior to the internet age, but you wouldn't know it by their low presence on the web.

cheers,

Patrick

[kevins]

thanks for the welcome! i'll get some pics up after the weekend... it'll probably have had the big scrub up within a month, so i will make sure to post the "after" shots too.
Looking forward to them.
The catalogue offers several options for shell and finish.
Is it the wood or metal shell? Which finish if it is the wood?
Those catalogs are awesome, thanks very much!!!

[kevins]

Hi,

I look forward to seeing the pics. Carlton info is pretty scant on the web.

It's a pity there is so little, with Bobby Graham's Carlton's featured on a slew of UK rock hits, we probably all know their sounds more than we know the kits. (His autobiography is on my Christmas list.) Some good Carlton pics here:

http://www.bobbygraham.co.uk/bobbygraham/photos.htm

The same goes for Carlton marching drums. They held pride of place in a lot of pipe bands just prior to the internet age, but you wouldn't know it by their low presence on the web.

cheers,

Patrick
Wow, is Mr. Graham still with us?
How old is he now?
An interesting span of a drummer's history there.
Thanks

[peoniam]

hi all,

no problem re catalogues - i was amazed when i first came across them!mine's the 1002 Metal Shell version (page 3 of the '48 catalogue). (there's one for sale on ebay at the moment, in a gold sparkle finish, if you fancy taking a look)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carlton-King-Snare-Drum_W0QQitemZ190352490015QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Mu sical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ?hash=item2c 51e47e1f

great stuff on Bobby Graham, nice to find out he was a carlton man. amazing stuff - i'm tempted to get that autobiography now... incredible how many uk acts he was involved with. i must admit that i wasn't aware of his name, but i sure have heard him play!

[patrick]

Wow, is Mr. Graham still with us?
How old is he now?
An interesting span of a drummer's history there.
Thanks

Sadly, he died in September of this year (2009).

Patrick

[kevins]

Sadly, he died in September of this year (2009).

Patrick
Bummer, man

[peoniam]

very sad news indeed... i've been checking out some bobby graham stuff on the web, and couldn't resist sharing this video with you all - great stuff (and nice kits!):

http://vodpod.com/watch/1720693-drum-battle-ginger-baker-bobby-graham-others

D' Drummer