hey I like this really early stuff thank you! so in the 1919 ludwig catalog model #545 is the one depicted in the aldridge book, but in the 1921 catalog there is also a model #544 but no description or picture!

I'm wondering if this page came up on the searches?

Vintage Percussion and Traps

I have all of the traps on that page sound sampled.

David

510:

My pleasure!

I've attached a couple pics of a Leedy window display from 1933 that shows the products they offered at that time. The second pic is a close-up of an area in the display where you'll see some slapsticks. The pic was taken from Rob Cook's publication "The Complete History of the Leedy Drum Company". Make sure to ENLARGE the pics after you pull them up.

David,, this is very cool I didn't even know we had this!! thank you very much!

David - Yes, this page was displayed in the search. Actually your photo of the slapstick appeared on other sites also. Being that I was focusing on slapsticks specifically there were very few photos available to show characteristics and brand.

OldSchool - Again bravo!!! and thank you for sharing these Leedy photos. The hinges on the slapsticks seen in these photos appear to me to have a different hinge than mine, almost like the spring loaded Ludwig style you posted earlier.

These photos should really help us get a better idea of what was out there. I hope we can get more folks who have access to vintage slapsticks to post photos here for the future.

Cool1

vintagemore2000 - Thank you! I knew you would have something to offer when I first posted.

I’ve seen many old photos of trap drummers (early Jazz and such) that have slap sticks in their kits that are the longer “whip” sound style. I think Baby Dodds had one on his bass drum in the 1917 King Oliver photos that was the longer style. Now if we could determine the brands and characteristics of the vintage slap sticks we have in our collections for reference.

I apologize again for dredging up an old thread, but I have something to add here. This slapstick is a Leedy from the late 20s or 30s. The "Leedy" script is in a circle form at the top of the handle with "TRADEMARK" above it and "INDIANAPOLIS" below.

It is also called a Whip Crack. If you know the Christmas tune "Sleigh Ride" it was made famous for the solo crack in the piece. The best way to play it spring or not is to have the full length base towards the floor and with 2 hands and your thumb against the hinged part. Raise it up like a sledge hammer shot and throw it down baby, give the thumb a lil pressure on the way. CEEERRRRAAAACK. Nice find