1942 Slingerland Rolling Bomber
SLINGERLAND
ROLLING BOMBER DRUM SET
DRUMS:
26x14" Bass Drum
14x6.5" Snare
13x9" Tom
14x12" Floor Tom (1940's*) *Not with the original set.
PERCUSSION:
Wood Block
CYMBALS:
11" Hi-Hats
13" Crash
10" Splash
HARDWARE:
Hi-Hat Stand
Snare stand
Wood Block Holder
Cymbal Arm
Cymbal Arm
For those who don’t know the background, my drum collection started in 1977 but was formerly established in 2008, although it took until 2014 for the name to be born out of the personal loss of my father, Frank Collins.
Like his father before, Frank Collins Snr, my father had been a drummer, not professional, but even in his last days, he would still tap the change in his pocket like he was riding the cymbal in a big band and we would raise a smile whenever he uttered his favourite phrase, “Quite frankly son…..”
Quite Frankly Drums seemed fitting as the name of the collection as Quite frankly... it’s all about the drums!
Early in 2025 while prepping for a tour, a rare kit came into my sights, one that would be the perfect replacement to this SLINGERLAND SET that I sold to a very famous individual, but yet still missed greatly due to its total completeness some 77 years on.
At the start of the year, I purchased a new vintage 1945 Slingerland Radio King set because once again, it was so complete and in excellent condition, but to add further sentiment, it came from the legendary Frank’s Drum Shop in Chicago. How very fitting!
Over the decades, while travelling and working in America, my name has been spelt incorrectly almost every time in is written, so much so, that twenty or more year back I adopted using just my initials, GC and many call me by that when on tour.
I even made a banded logo of GC that appeared on a few drum videos all those years ago.
My fondness for vintage Slingerland drums is documented in many places on this site, and in keeping an open eye on sets, I almost fell off my chair when this kit particular came into view and the more I discovered, the more it was naturally destined to be a centre piece in my collection.
Somehow, the initials GC have been on this rare Slingerland Rolling Bomber set since 1942. While crudely painted on, whether they are the first owner’s initials or perhaps the initials of the band they played in, sadly is lost to time.
What is not lost to history, is that the second owner of the set was gifted the drum set in 1948 by his parents when aged just 14. His name is Michael Levine and today is aged 91 and still carrying many wonderful memories of the set.
It remained in the family from 1948 to 2025, passing first to his son, and then to his Grandson, Reuben and never did they consider removing the GC from the original Slingerland calf head.
Now, not only do I own Phil’s drum (my middle name is bizarrely truly Phil making me another Phil Collins), but now I have some of Frank’s drums to commemorate two generations, my Father and Grandfather, and finally, I now have my own GC vintage set.
The universe does indeed work in strange ways!
More to follow....
1994 Pink Floyd Drums
1994 Pink Floyd Drum PadsA new find from the Pink Floyd archive!
Originally built and featured in either Nick Mason's or the Gary Wallis set (previously in the Quite Frankly Drums collection), these Dauz electronic drum pads were recently rediscovered lurking in another flight case at the Pink Floyd storage.
Further details coming soon!
1979/80 Premier Phil Collins Soundwave Replica
1979 Premier Soundwave Phil Collins Replica Kit BACKGROUND
The Premier Soundwave MKI kit was used on sessions from 1979, but most prominently on the Genesis 'Duke' tour.
Despite his move to Gretsch in late 1983, this set remained in use with Phil on numerous occasions, and was last seen with Genesis as recently as 2021.
Kit details coming soon
If you have any questions about the kit or wish to express an interest in it, please contact me.
1945 - 1947 Slingerland Gene Krupa Super Radio King Deluxe Ensemble
1945-1947c Slingerland Gene Krupa 'Super Radio King Deluxe Ensemble' 1N Set.A complete and all original set as verified by the renowned Brookes Teglar, dated from between 1945 and 1947 the previous owner owned it for around 50 years - I wonder what the first 30 saw in the life of this fabulous set of drums?
Either originally or perhaps circa 1975 when it was last acquired, it was sold through the world famous 'Frank's Drum Shop' in Chicago, Illinois which saw the likes of a young Buddy Rich perform clinics on the shop floor.
This set was an exciting find for many reasons including that this set is complete, right down to the hardware, even to the cases!
Given the name of this website, my vintage drum collection, and the family reasons behind that name, to own one of 'Frank's' sets, seems wholly appropriate and a fitting tribute to all three Franks!
One set of drums that I dearly miss from my collection, was THIS also complete 1948-1949 Gene Krupa Deluxe Radio King Ensemble 1N set that I was persuaded to part with a few years back to go to the home of a very famous new owner!
This now very fittingly takes its place.
I plan to do some extensive research on the history of this set, so there will be a lot more details, images and information coming soon! ish
Image from the fabulous Vintage Drum Guide website
Zenjain 10"
Avedis 13"
Avedis 18"
Avedis Hi-Hat 11"
1976/81 Premier Phil Collins Replica
1977c Premier Custom 717/D717 Elite Concert Tom
Phil Collins Replica Drum Set.
20” x 14” Elite Bass drum#
18” x 16” Elite Mounted tom
16” x 16” Elite Mounted tom
15” x 12” Elite mounted tom
14” x 10” Elite Mounted tom
13” x 9” Elite Mounted tom
12” x 8” Elite Mounted tom+
14" x 6.5" Ludwig Super-Sensitive Snare
10" & 12" Remo Roto-toms
Ludwig Speed King Pedal
Trilok & Lokfast stands*
As you may have already seen, I am incredibly fortunate to own a Pearl BLX Custom drum kit that belonged previously to Phil Collins that he used in 1982 and 1983.
While this kit did not belong to Phil, it is, to the best of my knowledge and memory, almost identical to Phil's legendary Premier 717 kit that he used in 1977, 1979, 1981 & part of 1982.
He also continued to record with the kit long after he had left Premier drums as it was the 717 that was used to create that legendary 'In The Air Tonight' drum barking tom sound.
In addition to the above drums, I also have the 24” x 14” Bass drum that came with the Premier 717D kit as well as 10” x 7” (Soundwave Pre-international size. 9.5” diameter) and an 8” x 6” (Soundwave) which Phil used in later years to replace the Remo Roto-Toms. Finally I do also have a matching period 14" x 14" Premier Elite floor tom.
+ My 12" x 8" is a Soundwave.
*I do also have the Slingerland Dynamo Hi-Hat and Premier stool that Phil uses (to this day), but they are not shown here.
#Phil Collins actually used a Gretsch bass drum on his 717 with a Premier reso head.
The kit was professional restored and by Jamie Corstorphine at The Drum Vault. http://www.thedrumvault.co.uk
If you have any questions about the kit or wish to express an interest in it, please contact me.
The 717 kit was one of Premier’s flagship “Elite” kits used by artists Such as Phil Collins and Keith Moon.
The unparalleled sound that was achieved from the concert toms was a blend of power and warmth and a fine and probably the best sound example is from Phil Collins on the Classic Air drumming track, “In the air tonight” where the power of the toms made musical history and a song that is known worldwide for the drum part alone.
The premier “Elite” Series of kits were top of the range during the late 1970’s and Early 80’s and at the time would set you back around about £1000 (the D717 would have cost around £1200 new in 1979)
The wood Premier used for the shells is 99% Mahogany with the extra toms are Birch with Beech reinforcing rings cut with 45 degree bearing edges.
The build quality is easy to see as even today they are still very much sought after kits for their looks and sound.
I have two configurations of the kit as Phil varied his between late 1976 and mid 1982. The kit set up shown below is how I recall the 1977 'Seconds Out' kit.
I believe that from my memories of those days that I also have close to what Phil was using cymbal wise in 1977, although not all are shown here.
If you have any questions about the kit or wish to express an interest in it, please contact me.
