I used to have a silver maxwin kit- can't realy remember what it was like it was my first full kit. The very first I had was just a snare bass and hi hat, my parents bought me them when I was first learning. These were very vintage and now that I'm into vintage I wish I knew what they actually were- the bass drum had been sprayed silver and was like some kind of Salvation Army drum ( as was the rest) the battered old hi hats were zyn or Ajax? All the stands basic and OLD. But the snare drum ...man I wish I could see it again now (I was about 13) all I remember is that it was a gold sparkle and had old calf heads as did the bass drum. I wish I knew what it was. The interesting thing is that in the inside on the shell it had writing in pencil I think? All around it - autographs and messages of some sort . I'm thinking maybe it was an army drum or something? Why all the writing? So anyway I wish I could just see it again now so I would know!.

Sorry I need to edit that the maxwin was black and it was a Beverley kit that I got later that was silver.

These drums probably wouldn't have been American as I reckon there might not have been as many here as there are now but maybe I'm wrong? I mean the very old snare and bass drum

I took my old maxwin/Pearl/cb700 added an 8x12, and a 14x14 floortom I used granite spray paint on the interiors (granitone) wrapped it in black marble contact paper and traded it for a bass amp to the local music store.

Got a peavey 1810 cab and a crate 200xl head.

My first two drum sets. Gold Sparkle Slingerland Radio King (first day with them...my dad did get me heads for 'em...had NO clue what these drums were...) and BDP Beverley. Wish I still had both of these. Obviously I was quite young in both of these photos. Early 70's for both. How 'bout that trend setting snare drum placement in the Beverley photo?

That is a cute christmas photo. And wow, what parents! What a nice kit. I'd love a Beverly :)

My thirteenth birthday in 1976. My parents bought me some used drums. I don't think I quite I had it set up correctly.

Thanks, yes I was fortunate to grow up in a home with both parents, who supported my musical aspirations.

The next kit I got after the Beverley was in 1978...a beautiful Stainless Steel Ludwig 22/12/13/16/Supra. I played that kit from 1978 until 1990. Even managed to do a recording session with that kit. Last thing I used them on before I sold them.

http://factoryblack.bandcamp.com/track/hope

I miss all my old drums.

Dan,

Great photos.

Anybody ever tell you that a younger you looks a bit like a young Angus Jones from the TV show 2 an A Half Men?

Ha-ha...no Matt, that was a first!