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1920's Drum Kit Last viewed: 4 days ago

Posts: 13 Threads: 1

Hello All

I am new to this site and while I did a bit of drumming in a 1960's southern California garage band it's been quite a while.

I am hoping for some help on identifying the attached drum kit. There is no logo or nameplate on any of the drums. They belonged to my Wife's Grandfather who had a dance band back in the 20's in Schenectady NY. We have a photo of the whole band on stage from some time in the 20's and the drum kit is front and center.

Unfortunately the bass drum skins (28" diameter) have torn from improper storage (too hot), but the snare drum looks good, except for a small hole in the bottom. The snares are original and appear to be cat gut. The base drum was also fitted with an electric light socket with the original Edison lamp intact and working. It has a canvas cover for the drum as well as a fiberboard case for the snare, cymbals, foot pedal, etc.

I have more photos with close up shots but was limited to 5 for the post.

If anyone is interested, I would be happy to post more.

thanks.

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188

Man! What you've got there is really VERY special!

Stand by for more information.

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188

GOOD GOD I LOVE THIS KIT!!!!

That is a COMPLETE kit! WOW! You've got a FANTASTIC piece of history there. Don't worry about the bass drum head a bit! It's insignificant,

Please be aware that you might receive a bunch of offers from people who lurk at this site and then try to entice you to break up the kit to get the snare drum or the cymbals or whatever. Please keep this kit together!

Stand by. There will be more experts who will need to view this one! Give us a little time, please.

WOW!

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188

I think it's a Walburg & Auge "Perfection" bass drum.

The snare drum is probably a Walburg & Auge

The pedal is either a Ludwig or a Leedy "Fraser" pedal from what I can see...

Ludwig "Snowshoe" cymbal pedal....

Okay, you need to look at the top of the cymbals to see if there are any incised markings. If you see the letter "K" anywhere or the name "Zildjian" anywhere, then that would be very good.

Also check for any paper tags or ink-stamped dates on the interiors of the drums. You can oftentimes, look into the vent holes and see them if they are there.

More close-up pictures would be greatly appreciated! Please take some of the snare throwoff mechanism.

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188

See those two dark spots on the bass drum head? Those are the shoulder bone markings on the skin of the cow that was made into that drum head! A 28" drumhead takes a bigger cow!

*moo

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 2212 Threads: 95

cool kit, welcome to the forum.

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 13 Threads: 1

Thanks all for your help - I'll take some close up photos tomorrow and post. I'll also see if I can get a copy of the 1920's photo with the band.

Have a great Labor Day!

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 13 Threads: 1

The attached photos show the Northland Dance Band at the Edison Club.

My Wife's Grandfather, Earl Marx led the band on drums and marimba.

Closeups of the kit tomorrow.

thanks.

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Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 596 Threads: 4

What a cool old pic!

One heck of a sax collection there, including a monster bass saxophone.

...and at least in this photo, Earl appears to have a xylophone (a Deagan 844 to be specific) instead of a marimba. Any idea if that instrument is still in the family?

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 2197 Threads: 202

That is EXCELLENT!I'm going to propose a photo section for VDF to post these type of pix-the Vintage Drummer archive.I have some of my grandfather in the 30's-40's.After all,in many cases,they are why we are here doing what we are doing now.I owe that man so much.His perseverance,along with his friend/mentor/teacher put me on a path that travelled the country.

Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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