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- Details
- Last Updated: Friday, 19 April 2024 03:43
1950s GRETSCH CADILLAC GREEN 'BIRDLAND' ROUND BADGE 'BOP' SET If you have any questions about this kit, please contact me.
DRUMS:
20 x 14" Bass Drum
16 x 16" Floor Tom
13 x 9" Tom Tom
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
DRUMS
14 x 5.5" Gretsch 1960's Round Badge 'Name Band' Model 4157 in Mahogany.
HARDWARE
Gretsch 1950's Snare Drum Stand
Gretsch 1960's Hi-hat
Gretsch 1960's Cymbal Stand
Slingerland Bass Drum L Cymbal Arm
CYMBALS
Avedis Zildjian 1950’s 15” Hi-Hat Cymbals “small stamp” Light T901g & B931g
Avedis Zildjian 1970’s20” Avedis Zildjian Sizzle Ride 3 rivets
Avedis Zildjian 1970’s20” Avedis Zildjian Crash
BACKGROUND:
There are rare drum sets and then there is the Gretsch 'Birdland' Cadillac Green, 'Round Badge' drum set!
There are so many different factors that make up why this is such an iconic kit, it is almost, where do you begin? You could indeed, pick any of these!
*Only 50 were ever produced between 1953 - 1959.
*Less than a dozen sets are currently now exist.
*Only two are known to reside here in the UK.
*This 'Birdland' 'Bop' set configuration is a very rare find!
*The hardware was astonishingly, 24-carat-gold-plated.
*Built by Gretsch to be the 'house kit' at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club at 1678 Broadway, New York City.
*Every famous drummer of the era, from Art Blakey, Charlie Persip, Elvin Jones and "Philly" Joe Jones would play these kits.
*A non catalog set of drums that few drummers at the time of release could only dream to aspire to.
IMAGE 1
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I acquired this beautiful and very rare set of drums on October 27th, 2021 from my good friend Mark at Rusty Drums.
With regard to the history of these drums and this particular set, it is, shall we say, evolving all the time, so I will date the most recent update at the end of the article.
Jumping back in time, in the 1950's, the Gretsch drum company were very proactive with regard to promoting their products as thanks to the vision of head of A&R Phil Grant, the rise of what was labelled 'Modern Jazz' saw many of the world's top drummers sat behind a Gretsch set.
Slingerland had ruled the 'Big Band' era but now there was another company wearing the crown. As the drum sizes reduced to accommodate the in favour jazz trio, the 'hip' drummers wanted something new and were discovering Gretsch had the sound they were looking for and 'That great Gretsch sound' motto was born.
- Details
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 April 2024 15:59
GEORGE H. WAY
EX CARTER MCLEAN SIGNATURE ACACIA DRUM SET If you have any questions, please contact me.
DRUMS:
20 x 14" Bass Drum
14 x 14" Floor Tom
12 x 8" Tom Tom
14 x 7" Carter McLean Signature Snare Drum
CYMBALS:
22" Istanbul Agop 22" 30th Anniversary Ride 2156g
2017 20" M.Yamamoto Crash Ride 1783g Custom Signed 'Spizzclone' (25/10/17)
2017 18+" Istanbul Mehmet Tony Williams Signature Tribute Crash (05/250)
1960's 14" Avedis Zidjian Hi-Hat Cymbals Top 1108g / Bottom 1167g
BACKGROUND
I purchased this kit on September 27th September, 2018
This drum set was used by Carter McLean at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London on September 26th
& 27th, 2018 and the drums were loaded straight from the stage into my car to enter my collection.
I had discovered Carter's incredible talent a few years earlier and we had started communicating along the way.
In later September of 2018, Carter flew to the UK to perform a series of shows with Charlie Hunter along with some drum clinics.
It had been agreed that I would lend Carter my own George Way Carter McLean Signature 14.7" Acacia Snare Drum for the week long tour to save him bringing his own over the Atlantic and as a result, I attended all of the events and really got to know Carter in person.
Not only is Carter a truly gifted drummer, he is one of the nicest people working in the industry and it was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to spend the week with him.
If you are not familiar with his work, please check him out at CarterMcLean.com
Carter's new Signature George Way drum set was premiered at Ronnie Scott's Club and I fell totally in love with the set, so much so, a deal was done and it was brought from the stage to my car by none other than Carter himself.
As events would transpired, Carter would shortly after elect to move to Ludwig drums where his is now an ambassador for their fabulous drum sets.
The George Way Carter McLean Signature drum set would thereafter become just a regular model within the George Way range thus making this kit one of just a handful of true Carter McLean Signature sets with this one having being personally used by Carter in London
The George H. Way Signature Carter McLean Acacia Drum Set features 4-ply Acacia
shells with reinforcement edge rings, GW Radial Design bearing edges, Double end
Streamline lug casings (6-lug configuration for rack tom, and 8-lug for floor
tom and bass drum), Way Double Edge-Double Flange hoops, Waybest arch spurs,
Die-cast bass drum claws with t-handles, AAA chrome plating on all metal parts,
and Dunnett Res-O-Tone drumheads.
This drum set has a natural Acacia gloss
finish with chrome hardware.
At the end of the tour as we parted ways, Carter was kind enough to surprise me with a wonderful signature on my snare when he returned it!
This drum set is beyond sublime and quickly became my personal go to set of drums even overriding a custom Walnut set of George Way drums that I had purpose built!
If you have any questions, please contact me.
- Details
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 April 2024 13:39
1930s AJAX BOOSEY & HAWKES NEW FIDELITY DUAL CONSOLE
DRUMS:
28x12" Bass Drum
14x12" Tom Tom
12x9" Tom Tom
14x6.5" New Fidelity Dual Century Snare Drum #13393
CYMBALS:
1 x Chinese Cymbal
1 x Splash Cymbal
2 x Sizzle Cymbal
1 x Crash Cymbal
1 x Hi-hat Cymbals* These 1930's Hi-Hat cymbals I have added to the outfit.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
1 x Console with Drum Arms & Cymbal attachments.
1 x Boosey & Hawkes Bass Drum Pedal
1 x Ajax Traps Table
4 x Temple Blocks & Ajax Clamps
2 x Swan Neck Cymbal Arms with tassels
1 x Wood Block
2 x Cow Bells
1 x Bass Drum Damper & Arm
1 x Internal Bass Drum Period Light Fixture
1 x Decorated From Resonant Bass Drum Head
BACKGROUND:
I purchased this kit on the 7th November, 2015 and it was my Holy Grail for the Ajax collection and a one that I never thought I would find, let alone one of this condition!
When I started to collect vintage drums, I had seen an almost identical kit which had been sold a few years prior and I could only dream of owning such an exquisite piece of drumming history, however, some years later, I was on tour in the UK when I received a call a phone call on the tour bus as we were driving from Scotland to South Wales.
I was intrigued from the start and multiple lengthy conversations followed over the next few hours as my excitement grew.
That that evening, I checked into the band and crew hotel and immediately set off and drove deep into the night, certain that I would only be disappointed upon arrival and find it either not to be genuine, perhaps in very poor shape or even out of my financial reach.
To my extreme delight and surprise, it was like a prayer answered and I returned many hours later with this truly wonderful kit having completed the deal at midnight!
My first sight of the kit at that late hour can be seen below.
At this time, sadly I know nothing of the history as the previous owner or their seller who I dealt with, unfortunately did not wish it to be known.
Certainly it looks astonishingly like the actual kit I had so wanted to own which had been formally owned by 'Sir' Alan Buckley and as seen at Nick Hopkin's Emporium however, the seller told me that the owner says that is not the same kit and that he had owned this for many many years.
There are certainly some small differences, but it has been maintained it to the highest of standards to such an extent that it looks brand new and you could perform show nightly with this kit as clearly was intended.
At the end of day, whoever owned this kit, it is a dream come true for me to own it now and perhaps one day, some history may reveal itself!
If you have any information about the kit or indeed any questions, please contact me.
If you have any information about the kit or indeed any questions, please contact me.
- Details
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 April 2024 13:43
1930's Weaver & Dickson Traps Set
28" Bass Drum
Snare
Traps
Traps Table (A replica as the original had broken, but the build was based on the original.)
Besson Snow Shoe Hi-Hat
Bass Drum Pedal
Sticks and brushes
Carry Case
This kit is in an incredible condition for a 1930s Traps set with myself being only the third owner from new.
The original owner was part of a marching band, but had this traps set from the 1930s until his passing around 1960.
It was sold by his widow to the second owner who kept the kit until just a few years ago.
I have yet to find another Weaver & Dickson kit that has survived, having only been able to locate just a few odd drums, some of which are in the drum museum in Edinburgh.
This is an amazing time capsule Traps set and if treated with respect, certainly a players kit!
THIS KIT IS FOR SALE - OFFERS INVITED.
If you have any information about the kit or indeed any questions, please contact me.
- Details
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 April 2024 13:38
DRUMS
1945c AJAX BOOSEY & HAWKES JACK PARNELL DE-LUXE DRUM KIT
21x11" AJAX 'De Luxe' Bass drum. Serial #23920. Circa 1945/46.*
16x18" AJAX 'De Luxe' Floor tom. Serial #23795. Circa 1945/46.
14x18" AJAX 'De Luxe' Floor tom. Serial #23794. Circa 1945/46.
12x8" AJAX 'De Luxe' Tom. Serial #59129 Circa 1950-1955.
14x5" AJAX 'Poplar' Snare drum. Serial #TBC
*with calf skin heads
PURCHASED JUNE 2015
This kit was a remarkable find.
It was always hard to believe it could be the original finish, especially as my research currently indicates that coloured and glitter wraps appear not to have been introduced by Ajax until the the mid 1950s.
Certainly though, 3 of the drums are from the same period, with the 12" tom and snare (a lower graded 'Popular' model) being added later.
A month after obtaining the kit, my findings appear to confirm the above with information comming from drummer James Yates which led to additional research.
It would seem that the kit was originally owner by the drummer Ted Alexander and was originally Cream Cellestoid.
Below are some details about Ted and also appear to show part of the kit.
Ted Alexander
Musician. Born 1912. Son of Eddie and Ada Alexander.His father was a stage and theatre technician, his mother a teacher and pianist. At the age of eight he joined his father's White Eyed Ted Alexander Minstrel Show playing the bones and singing 'Mammy' songs, solo. In his spare time he learned to play drums and by the time he was twelve he was a freelance drummer. He formed his own groups at fourteen called Teds Four and later, Teds Five. In 1935 he joined Lambert Wilson's Stage Orchestra, having done a season with Chapmans Circus. Then came a season with Monte Carlo Ballet Company, followed by sessions with George Shearing and Stefan Grapelli.
Ted married Mary Way, 4 June 1939, in Llandudno. He was playing summer season in the resort at Payne's Ballroom with the Tommy James Band. Issue: One daughter, Christine (1956) and one son, Michael (1958). Ted played drums and took part in broadcasts with the British Band of A.E.F. etc and many stars of the entertainment world. After demob he joined Henry Hall's Stage Orchestra being featured in a big drum spectacular for over two years. After Henry disbanded, he played for periods with many West End orchestras - including Joe Loss, Bert Ambrose, Roberto Inglez, Al Tabor, Kenny Grahame Afro Cuban, etc etc. Much freelancing which led eventually to recordings with the group Alien Sex Fiend, led by Nik Wade who happens to be Ted's son-in-law and who is a grand nephew of Sir George Robey — yes George Robey - real name Ed Wade, founder member of Chelsea Lodge.
It's an odd world!
He suffered three heart attacks in later life and, in February 1989, a fourth heart attack meant an end to active service in music and Masonry.
*The original snare shown above on Ted's AJAX is currently owned by drummer James Yates.
Quite incredibly, in 1987 Ted aged 75, played drums on a couple of tracks in his daughter band, the English 'deathroc'k outfit, Alien Sex Fiend!
Perhaps he even used this very kit based on the photo?
It Lives Again - https://youtu.be/Epn4OD1aKOI
Drums, Percussion – Ted Alexander
Engineer – Helen Woodward Paul Samuelson
Producer – Youth
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Hurricane Fighter Plane https://youtu.be/gl2viALq6BA
Drums, Percussion – Ted Alexander
Engineer – Helen Woodward, Paul Samuelson
Producer – Youth
Written-By – Barthelme*, Thompson*, Cunningham*
Sadly Ted has since passed away.
Additional information has also come to light as it was accurately pointed out to me by the legendary Roy Holliday, that the bass drum has just 7 lugs and therefore, no doubt is had been a larger drum originally and cut down to this odd 21" size.
That then leads me to believe that, given the above fact,s that this kit was originally:
Circa 1945 'JACK PARNELL' AJAX
Bass Drum - De Luxe Model 24" x 11" in Cream Cellestoid.
Toms - 16x18", 14x18" with a 12x8" tom
Far from being a fragile 70 years old, it is ready to gig and tour now!
If you have any questions about the kit or wish to express an interest in it, please contact me.
If you have any information about the kit or indeed any questions, please contact me.