Leedy Fiesta Kit is Here

[MikeJtone]

Well the big day has finally come for me. Today I received my Leedy Fiesta Pearl drumset and all I can say is BEAUTIFUL!

It is really hard to believe, the wrap looks so beautiful under White Christmas tree lights - it is like walking out in the woods in the middle of a moonlit winter night with all the stars out twinkling and reflecting off the snow. Lots of beautiful shapes and colorful gold stars, moons, green, pink.
The only thing is that the white has yellowed a fair amount, but that has its own beauty too.

It is stunning and it sounds all the better, at least the toms & the snare. I need to put a different batter head on the bass.

The date stamp on the bass drum is Dec 10, 1958 as best I can tell - it seems pretty clear. The 13" is Oct 8, 1958, the snare only shows Dec 9, and the 16" is Oct 14 with the year too smudged.
(The drums look to be in very good condition for their age (almost 50!). I should look so good at 50.)

All the badges are Blue & Brass Chicago ILL. U.S.A. (no 48).

I wonder what anyone else thinks, but this is a very good day. Are there any other pictures that I could put up for identification or dating or just viewing, this is very cool?

[big daddy]

I'm speechless - Beautiful drums. Congrats and please, play them out so others can appreciate them.

[MikeJtone]

Thank you bigdaddy, it will take some time to get use to these beauties! I would have to watch them like a hawk. I found something else in the packaging that is very interesting - vintage color swatches with large 8" X 8" tiles of several finishes, including fiesta, pink pearl, black sparkle and other colors.

[O-Lugs]

Fantastic kit! electricit

[big daddy]

I would have to watch them like a hawk.

Of course - Maybe just take them to the really special gigs. Or at least the "safest" gigs - No moshing near the Leedy's PLEASE!!!!

[MikeJtone]

This is the other set that I am getting, it too is Leedy/Slingerland from late 50's or early 60's. I don't have any information on the date but from these pictures can you tell anything that could date this kit? Is there any interest in the Leedy Mardi Gras sets like there is in the Rogers kits? The set is a 22-14-13 with the Shelley Manne matching snare.

[Webmaster]

Where are you shopping?? Do you have a Fiesta / Mardi Gras Grocery store near by?

I have one near me and it is just produce and meat..

Hey, I'm intrigued by the swatch set. I have never seen a giant size set of swatches...

It looks like they could wrap a drum they are so large...:)

It would be great if I could get hi res scans of each finish for the web site.

David

[MikeJtone]

David,
I think they are large pieces of wrap. It is like having a sample of these finishes in a close to pristine condition. You can see what the wrap looked like originally - to a degree. The very cool thing is that one of the samples is Fiesta, and there is enough material to do a hoop with it (which I need) - but I don't think I am going to do that. Not at this time at least. I will just leave it alone. I can do the high resolution pictures and send them via email, it might take a day or 2 but I will send over the shots if you want them. There are about 30 samples, so each picture is about 800Kb= 24MB of photo files coming into your email, if that is okay, let me know.

Oh on the 2 kits, I started this whole odessy looking for a Rogers Mardi Gras kit, and look where it took me! Strange, but true, and fun too! Even though it is a little painful on the pocket book, it is worth it to me - I still haven't got a Rogers Mardi Gras, but that is the last piece of the puzzle that I can keep looking for, and that is more than half the fun.
Thanks MIke

[big daddy]

Wow!! I guess you are now the official Mardi Gras King!!

Congrats on some amazing kits.

Just curious about those Leedy shells. They look like mahogany with maple reinforcement rings. Am I even close?

I obviously have great taste in drums because I still prefer mahogany over the other materials :)

[Bebop]

Big Daddy:
Leedy drums are all mahogany im not sure about the maple reinforcement hoops though because I have late 20s early 30s that seems to have mahogany reinforcement hoops.

Mike
Beautiful kit!
Did you have to pull a bank heist to get the cash for those?
Laughing H

[MikeJtone]

Big Daddy,
Yes it is my understanding that the early Leedy / Slingerland drums are Mahogany Interiors and they have maple reinforcement rings. DrCJW mentioned this back when I first posted about these drums "Dating a Leedy/Slingerland kit".

They are really nice condition and the interiors look really clean too. All of the drums on the Fiesta set are the same way (Mahogany interiors & maple rings), and it looks like this set also has Mahogany with maple rings.

Beebop,
No I didn't heist a bank but I did reach into savings to pay for this stuff (it hurt, but it was worth it). I am really trying to make my dollars count towards stuff that is really good - instead of buying stuff that isn't quite right and then spending the same money fixing it up. I have done that too much, and when I add it up, there isn't that much difference in the end between buying a prime kit that is what you want in good condition vs buying something that isn't quite right, but it costs less money up front, but alot more to fix it up.

But on these 2 kits, I lucked out to find a good trustworthy person who was able and willing to sell some really nice vintage kits to me. These were prized pocessions of his at one time and they are the same to me.

I am really happy about these drums!

[MikeJtone]

I am looking for some advice, opinions on this Mardi Gras set. The owner was able to include 2 other toms that are Leedy Mardi Gras drums, but they are configured like a Ludwig Club Date. He suggested that I take the larger of the 2, which is a 15" or a 16" (I will have to ask again), to be reworked into a regular floor tom by removing the center lugs, filling in the holes and redrilling for the regular floor tom lugs. To be done by a professional - Jack Lawton.

He included another plain black Leedy drum with the lugs and tension rods for parts, pictured at the bottom.

The drum already has floor tom leg holders and I would end up with 2 matching Mardi Gras floor toms. This sounds like a great idea, but I wondered about 2 other options.

1. I bought a Slingerland late 50's (I think) floor tom that could be used, but I don't know how you can reuse the wrap from 1 drum to the other especially if they are slightly different sizes. Will it work? and would the fact that it is an original floor tom and did not have to be redrilled, make it more desirable?

2. Leave the drums as is and use it that way. What type of drums are these single row centered lug drums?

Any ideas or thoughts.
Thanks Mike

[Rich K.]

[QUOTE=MikeJtone]Big Daddy,
I am really trying to make my dollars count towards stuff that is really good - instead of buying stuff that isn't quite right and then spending the same money fixing it up. I have done that too much, and when I add it up, there isn't that much difference in the end between buying a prime kit that is what you want in good condition vs buying something that isn't quite right, but it costs less money up front, but alot more to fix it up.


I think this is great advice to all collectors, especially new ones. If you buy, complete, collectible, un-modified stuff, it will almost always hold its value, and probably increase. Re-wraps, modified, re-worked, and pieced together sets usually end up costing more than they're worth.
With regards to those two center lug "stage band" style drums, I'd leave them as is...there's probably a bass drum out there that will eventually turn up.
I think trying to remove the wrap, or re-drilling for different lugs would ruin a real collectible.
If you don't want them, let me know. Rich

[MikeJtone]

Rich,
I think I am going to follow your suggestion and leave the drums alone but hold on to them, perhaps there is a Bass Drum out there that belongs to these toms. I wonder what kind of set this would have come from, the floor tom is a 12X15" (we think) and the rack tom is a 12 or 13".

Right now I will use that Gold Sparkle floor tom with the 1958 Slingerland Capri Pearl drums that I have and see if I come across a Radio King or Gene Krupa snare from that time frame in the matching Capri Pearl, there was one on Ebay that sold in December -

and

If I ever find a Leedy Mardi Gras "club date" Bass drum then I would have 3 sets complete with a matching snare - I could end up with 4 matching sets in very beautiful colors.

I never expected to accumulate 2 nice & complete vintage sets, like it appears that I have, at this point in time. I hope that DrCJW checks these out and can offer some insights. I wonder how long Mardi Gras was used on Leedy/Slingerland drums and their collectibility or desirability & rarity vs. the Rogers Mardi Gras drums.

[Rich K.]

Those center lug drums are Slingerlands (not Leedy)...the 13" and 12 x 15" toms were the standard size when Slingerland introduced the "stage band" style drums...they added 8x 12 and 14 x 14 center lug drums, and eventually discontinued the 15" one...I'm sure it was listed in their catalogs through the sixties.
I may know of a 20 or 22" "regular" bass drum in mardi gras if you're interested. Rich

[Bebop]

He included another plain black Leedy drum with the lugs and tension rods for parts, pictured at the bottom.

Would you be interested in selling that black Leedy drum.
If you are my email is bentstraw@gmail.com
I would like to see more pictures though if its too much of a
hassle dont worry about it though.

[MikeJtone]

Those center lug drums are Slingerlands (not Leedy)...the 13" and 12 x 15" toms were the standard size when Slingerland introduced the "stage band" style drums...they added 8x 12 and 14 x 14 center lug drums, and eventually discontinued the 15" one...I'm sure it was listed in their catalogs through the sixties.
I may know of a 20 or 22" "regular" bass drum in mardi gras if you're interested. Rich
Rich K, Yes I am interested - Let me know.

[MikeJtone]

Well I am still waiting on the Leedy Mardi Gras, it looks like late next week is when it will arrive.

Since I have been waiting, I was able to buy the Slingerland Fiesta Cocktail set that was on Ebay from its new owner and a Leedy Fiesta tom that was also on Ebay, so now I have 3 more Fiesta pieces. I guess I am a Fiesta guy.

I also bought a gold Slingerland floor tom and had some questions about it....The finish looks perfect, even under the lugs, so I was wondering if this were a re-wrap. Any other ways to tell? The shell is definitely vintage and that is why I bought it, I wanted what I thought was a late 50's floor tom from Slingerland. The bass that was with this floor tom had a Black & Brass Chicago Badge with the loop on the "S", and it looked just as clean. So I am not sure, maybe it is original: if this is original wrap, it is in outstanding condition!

That is what I think I got, even though there is no date stamped, there is a white crayon like "P" hand written inside the shell, that is the only marking. It also has the crosses or 'X' lug screws & washers. Any thoughts on whether this is a re-wrap and on the dating on the tom would be appreciated too...Thanks Mike

I included a picture of the Bass Drum auction that was the mate to this floor tom.

THE SELLER of the Gold Sparkle Floor Tom contacted me and told me that this was not a re-wrap...This finish is immaculate!!!

[MikeJtone]

Well Now I have just got the MARDI GRAS set and now everything that I was waiting for has now arrived! I am very interested in dating of this set, and trying to find out some quirks about it - I hope someone can shed some light here - DrCJW or whoever would understand these details.

First the kit is a 22-13-14-14 matching snare. The dates are stamped on the 22" Bass - Nov 16, 195? (9 I think)
13" Tom - Nov 17, 195? (8 I think or could be 9)
14" Snare - no date or month shows, but the year is 1960.
14" Floor Tom - Has no stamps what so ever.

The lug screws on the floor tom are all crosses, the leg mount screws are flat hex head with a single slot. The bass & the tom have all crossed heads as does the snare. The bass, the 13" tom and the snare all have the Blue & Brass Chicago badge without the "48", the floor tom does not have a badge, or a vent hole (nor does it have the P 020 stamp or date stamp like the others). The badge on the bass is loose and spins freely. All the toms & the snare have the 2 padded muffler.

HERE ARE THE PECULIARITIES:
The bass drum has leg mounts like my 58 Capri Pearl Slingerland bass same flat trapezoid shape with a 1/4" spur, & the wing nut tightening screw - where my Fiesta Leedy has the more rounded mount with the 3/8 inch spur.

The 14" Floor Tom is with a 22" Bass & 13" mounted tom. The floor tom has no date or wrap stamp inside the shell. The floor tom has the more 60's like hex headed / single slotted screws to secure the leg mounts.

The snare has a slight ridge that goes about 1/4 way around the shell about an 1 1/2" below the top edge, it almost feels like an Acrolite shell with wrap over top of it.

Other than these mysteries, this is a really beautiful set. This finish is outstanding, but I think the condition of the Fiesta interiors is better than these interiors, I noticed some rust on some of the screw heads. But this is a great kit!

I also received these 2 additonal drums called a stage band style, the great thing about it is that there is a 12X15 floor tom that actually looks alot like the Capri Pearl bass & tom that I have been trying to match. For now this will give me a floor tom that looks alot like the Capri set (which the guys at the drum shop initially told me were Mardi Gras, I can see the resemblence).

Anyhow any dating ideas, ideas about the peculiarities or comments about the set are very welcomed.

[MikeJtone]

These are pictures of the interiors and peculiarities.

Picture 1 is the Bass drum leg mount
Picture 2 is the 13" tom
Picture 3 is the 14" Snare
Picture 4 is the 22" Bass drum interior
Picture 5 is the 14" floor tom interior

[MikeJtone]

This is my complete line up now. Maybe I should retire while I am ahead, it can only go downhill from here!

Set 1. Leedy Fiesta 22-13-16 matching snare - Shelly Manne Outfit 1958.
Set 2. Slingerland Capri 22-13 (1958) 15" Slingerland Mardi Gras stage band floor tom (1962)- and a 5X14 COB Dyna Sonic snare 1968.
Set 3. Leedy Mardi Gras 22-13-14 matching snare - Shelly Manne Outfit??? 1959 or 1960???
Set 4. Slingerland Cocktail Set 16-14 (1962) with Leedy Fiesta 13" Tom (1965)

[O-Lugs]

Wow....what a gorgeous and well-chosen collection! Fantastic!!Burger Kin

[MikeJtone]

Update March16:

O'Lugs,
Thanks for the compliment on the sets! I really like to hear that from seasoned drummers and admirers of these great old drums! They are so cool, I can't stop looking at them - now I have an update to the Slingerland Capri set. I got a Capri 14" floor tom that matches the other drums very nicely. The drum is dated Dec 20, 1958 which is just 1 month after the original shells!

There is something unusual about the floor tom in that it has a middle 4" wide reinforcement ring. Is that unusual?

I also got a 6 lug Slingerland snare with a Chicago badge without the loop on the "S" in Slingerland. It is dated August 22, 1959 and it is a little darker with a black & slight purple cast to the finish, close to the other drums, but not an exact match. I am not sure what the model of the snare is though. 6 lugs, with a mahoghany interior and a simple 2 point strainer.

I am still looking for a Radio King or Super Krupa snare that has the same Capri finish and the Chicago badge - dated for 1958. But for now that Capri set looks pretty good and close enough of a match.

Anyway, this has kept me busy looking most of the winter and I feel pretty good that I have got 3 pretty nice, consistent and almost complete vintage kits in these rare but beautiful finishes. These drums do sound really good, my favorite kit would have to be the Fiesta Shelly Manne kit - I love how that floor tom & snare sounds on that set.

This is the updated line up:
Set 1. Leedy Fiesta 22-13-16 matching snare - Shelly Manne Outfit 1958.
Set 2. Slingerland Capri 22-13 -14 (1958) -with somewhat matching 6 lug snare (1959)
Set 3. Leedy Mardi Gras 22-13-14 matching snare - Shelly Manne Outfit??? 1959 or 1960???

[MikeJtone]

March 16 update - Additional Pics (1. Capri Snare, 2. 14" floor tom interior, 3. Capri sanre, 4. all the drums)

Well, it really looks good to me now -

but David, I am still looking to get a matching Radio King or Super Krupa snare for that Capri set as well as a matching 16 inch floor tom if possible.

I hope DrCJW drops back in to check out all the updates.

Spring is on its way!

[sabshga]

You must really like confetti.

[MikeJtone]

Gary,
I do, (like those confetti type finishes) plus I like the rariety too. I do like the sparkles as well, but these 3 pearl finishes are really the favorites. The Capri, Fiesta & Mardi Gras, I think that they are really unique and beautiful. There is one more finish that I am liking and that is the Black Galaxy from Ludwig.

I also like the sound of these drums, it is a lot more warm down to earth. I really like finding out about the history and background of these vintage kits too.

But this all got started when I sold that nice Ludwig Champagne Sparkle kit that I had back in the summer (if you remember that) - since then I bought and sold 2 nice Rogers sets and ended up with these 3 sets!

Back then I thought that I was just going to trade 1 kit for another and save some money, now look what has happened! It is like an addiction, but a good one as long as I don't go overboard. It can be expensive too.