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To Buy Or Not To Buy, Black Galaxy Sparkle

Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

I often rely on Mike Layton for advice, especially if it's about some obscure vintage Ludwig drum, or wrap. Here is a copy of a pm I recently sent to Mike:

"Mikey,

I just got a chance to buy a (60's) keystone badge black galaxy bass drum and rack tom!

- NO FLOOR TOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-

Should I buy them anyway? I know you still haven't found a 'legit' floor tom for your own kit, so I'm wondering is it really worth it for me to buy them? I have no clue how long it will take to find a matching floor tom.

Is the modern black galaxy very different from the old version? I was thinking maybe to buy a modern blk. galaxy floor tom to complete the kit. But... not if it's going to look 'way different'.

Help! Advice needed before I plunk down $650 for the pair.

John"

Now here is my 'open question' for all:

Considering the fact that it may take a very l-o-n-g time to find a matching floor tom, plus the fact that if one does turn up, it's going to cost a small fortune, should I go ahead a buy the drums anyway simply because they are so very rare?

Tough call here. It's just a shame that these black galaxy drums (usually) show up in rack tom/ bass drum pairs and -always- with a missing floor tom! Recently on GoodWill they auctioned off two black galaxy drums, a bass and a rack tom... and you guessed it, no floor tom! I'm wondering if it's really worth it for me to join the club of drummers that are looking for a BG floor tom to complete their kits!

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

I found this: http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/ludwig_sets/traveler/1962_traveler.jpg

It's ironic that the majority of the Galaxy Black kits never show up with a floor tom. Maybe they never came with one, hence the "Traveler" kit. This is just a guess.

I'd buy it, because I have a feeling you're going to have a hard time finding a 3 piece kit.

-Tim

Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

just got your pm and responded john...

mike

Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Done deal.... the guy had dropped them off two weeks ago and told me to take my time deciding. I just got back from paying for the tubs.

I'll post up some photos/sizes shortly.

Thanks, Mike. I'll check the pm's.

Tim - That's the one! Same deal, rail mount, cymbal mount, same, same.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 2444 Threads: 288

I have a 5 piece 1960's Black Galaxy w/5 digit 14x5 SS snare. Got it from a neighbor for selling some of her husband's estate.

Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Here are some shots of the two drums as I received them. I have the original rail mount for the bass drum. It was removed for shipping. The drums just need some detailing. The wrap is clean and tight all around. No fading I can detect either! Once I use the NOVUS polishes on them, and shine up the hardware, they'll look spanking new!

*Mike - It's a 14"x20" bass drum. Damn the missing floor tom!

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/bg1_zps38698032.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/bg2_zps7117b0fa.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/bg3_zps681a0b03.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/bg4_zps0aebff1e.jpg[/IMG]

I have a 60's Keystone badge Acrolite in mint condition that will go great with these drums!

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 1342 Threads: 71

That's a couple of beautiful vintage drums. I personally don't have a problem playing a kit without a floor tom. It works great in small venues. Not having a floor tom helps sharpen your creativeness.

Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 621 Threads: 41

I was gonna tell you to let them go, 'til I saw they were Club Dates. Glad you grabbed them. Like GeraldSterken, I play lots of gigs with a 3-piece, & I'd gig those for sure. do your clean-up thing, & show us.....marko

Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

From Gerald Sterken

That's a couple of beautiful vintage drums. I personally don't have a problem playing a kit without a floor tom. It works great in small venues. Not having a floor tom helps sharpen your creativeness.

Gerald - in the mid-60's when I first started playing out, my 'kit' consisted of a snare drum, bass drum, hi-hats and one cymbal that served both as ride/crash. I got all kinds of mileage out of that spartan set-up. Back then I was playing with four different bands, a 'current hits cover band,' a Rock-A-Billy band and two Doo-Wop groups where the band consisted of piano, bass and drums. If you know how to use the set-up, a snare and a bass drum is all you really need.

I'm just lamenting the missing floor tom for this great little kit. There's not many of these kits around to begin with and -most of them- have no floor tom. Can you imagine the feeding frenzy if a 14"x14" keystone badge, Black Galaxy floor tom ever comes up for sale?

It'll make the Killing Fields in Cambodia look like an Easter Egg hunt!

I hear you though, sometimes less is more...

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

yeah! those look good john. glad that you got them. I was thinking they were super classics. cool to see another set of galaxy clubdates. those should clean up super nice.

a few years ago, 14x14 galaxy floor tom was on ebay. I guess everyone assumed it was going to break the bank. I assumed the same. I wasn't real excited about it because mine were 22/13 clubdates. still would have loved it just the same. anyway,it sold for less than 200 bucks!! arghhhh, the agony!

i'll keep my eyes open for you...congrats on those.

mike

Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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