Hey Folks,

I'm offering for sale a unique custom made GMS prototype drum set with vintage Slingerland lug hardware. I'm asking $1800 shipped or $1650 local Queens, NYC pickup. Paypal only.

You can PM or Email me at: [email]ianstynes@gmail.com[/email]

Please follow the link below for additional photos:

http://greatcityprod.gosimian.com/v2/sp/a/3M_1SD0_tBM_qPyC58JOKA/preview

Alright, get ready for a long winded explanation:

This kit was made by GMS Drum Co. with Buddy Rich's family as a prototype for a possible line of drums for GMS.

The goal was to combine modern advances with vintage flare - incorporating the aesthetics of Buddy Rich and his playing style and preferences. GMS used original vintage Slingerland Radio King beaver tail lug hardware from the 1940s / early 1950s (I did a little more research and realized that they could actually be from the 1930s - it's hard to tell exactly - maybe someone with more knowledge than me on this forum could date them). They also even made "Buddy Rich Drum Co." badges specifically for this project. From what I can tell by doing research online Buddy Rich’s family eventually did make a “Buddy Rich Drum Co.” line of drums with DW - using a totally different badge and repro hardware. Then apparently they made drums with SJC drums and eventually started production on their own series of drums (apparently the SJC and DW drums originally retailed for quite a bit of money - several grand each). This all seems to have happened after GMS made this prototype set for the Rich family. It would appear that the Rich family decided to start making this drum line with DW instead of GMS. I purchased this kit in 1998 from Sam Ash on 48th street in Manhattan. They acquired it straight from the GMS showrooms on Long Island - where I believe it was assembled. I later confirmed with GMS by email that this kit was indeed a custom prototype made with Buddy Rich’s family. This is a one of a kind set - custom built and hand assembled by GMS Drum Co. using vintage Slingerland lug hardware.

The drum shell bearing edges are cut in a modern fashion with sharper edges - producing a louder more focused sound. Continuing with this theme of combining the modern with the vintage these drums were also made with vintage style wood reinforcement rings on the inside of the shell (see pics) which GMS normally does not do with their drums. There are no extra unnecessary holes drilled in these shells for mounting hardware and these drums REALLY resonate when tuned accordingly. The mid tom mounts nicely on a stand (with more of a vintage look) and the floor tom has a floating leg mounted system under the bottom lugs (not touching the shell). I'm honestly not positive of the wood type of these drums - I would guess maple. I included pictures to show that the wood is thickly plied. Don't know exactly but looks to be 8 ply for the toms maybe more for the snare. They are solid and heavy drums and they are loud, warm and present sounding. These drums are not really like any other GMS set I have seen. I believe these shells were made back when GMS was still employing Keller made shells - think classic high end American made Grandmaster series but with a unique vintage approach.

I am a recording / mixing engineer and for the past 15 years these drums have been featured on many recordings - including for several years at the studio I am the chief audio engineer at now - Great City Productions in NYC - www.greatcityprod.com. They record extremely well and are very versatile. They have a full and “open” character. In other words, you can tune the heads to ring open and they produce very full resonant tones - or you can easily dampen or use thicker heads to get more focused tones. This versatility is truer for this kit than any other I have used. Below I included a link to some drum only tracks from recordings I did with this kit - check them out for yourself:

Drum track only recordings of this GMS kit:

http://greatcityprod.gosimian.com/v2/sp/a/J2VSWy00bvjdZqAgVWfxYQ/preview

This sale includes the following:

*All dimensions diameter by depth

-10” x 8 High tom (6 lugs per head)

-12” x 10 Rack tom (6 lugs per head)

-16” x 14 Floor tom (8 lugs per head)

-22” x 16 Kick drum (10 lugs per head)

-14” x 6.5 Snare drum (10 lugs per head)

-The rims mounts system for the high tom (including including the swivel mount arm but not the stand)

-The floor tom bottom lug leg mount system (including the legs)

-4 extra original vintage beaver tail Slingerland replacement lugs

*ALL OTHER HARDWARE AND CYMBALS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SALE

I just put a fresh set of Remo “Vintage A” coated heads on the batter side of the toms, Remo Coated Ambassador on the snare and Evans EMAD system heads on both sides of the kick drum. These drums are “used” but in very good condition. The chrome on some of the lug hardware looks and is vintage (some of them are most likely close to 65 years old). There is some pitting and a few of them have lost their shine. I personally like the look and think it adds to the vintage feel but thought it was necessary to point out. They are all 100% functional and I will even include some extra lugs that I have. I polished the rims and newer GMS hardware. The wrapping seams on the drums are pulling away very slightly. I do not think it is a big issue and it's not on the "audience" side. The wood hoop rims on the bass drum have some normal wear and dings on them - especially where the kick pedal mounts on the rims. There is slight paint chipping on the wood hoop and the pearl band has a small missing section (about a 1/2 an inch) that fits under the lug clamps and is not visible when the head is on (I added a picture in the link above). Check out the pictures - I tried to be thorough. All in all, the set is in amazing shape though. The finish on the wrap is very clean and really is great looking as you can see from the pics.

If you are in the NYC area we can arrange for free pickup. Otherwise packing and shipping will be extra. I will remove the heads and package these extremely carefully (I will include the new heads in the shipment). Please ask me any questions.

Thanks for looking guys - sorry for the long winded explanation!

Thanks -Ian