Images and words on additions, news and updates from Quite Frankly Drums.
1942 Slingerland Rolling Bomber
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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
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- Hits: 1019
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
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- Hits: 1464
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
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- Hits: 1472
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"
2016 A&F Custom Kit
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- Hits: 3945
A&F CUSTOM KIT 2016-2024
DRUMS
A&F DRUMS
22” x 10” Single Tension Raw Brass Bass Drum / Mahogany Hoops #11230
16” x 10” Single Tension Raw Brass Floor Tom / Mahogany Hoops #11225
13” x 6” Single Tension Raw Brass Bass Drum / Mahogany Hoops #11226
14" x 6.5" Raw Brass Snare #11054 14" x 4" Dual Tension Mahogany Club 10 lug Snare # 11112
12" x 3" Rude Boy Unique Custom Untreated Matte Brass Finish Snare #16056
10” x 3” Rude Boy Brass Snare #12487
6" x 4" Raw Steel Micro Snare with Internal Snares, Brass Hoops #14013
THRONE
A&F Jonesy Brown-Diamond Tufted Brown Italian Saddle Leather Throne.
PERCUSSION
Matt Nolan 27" Batwing Gong
Melanie Tri-Fantom drums 6", 8" & 10"
1920's Temple Blocks
Remo Roto Toms
ELECTRONICS
Yamaha EAD10
Yamaha XP100SD 3-Zone 10" Snare Drum Trigger
Duaz 6" Pads x 2
CYMBALS
M.Yamamoto
20" Crash Ride 1783g Custom Signed 'Spizzclone' (25/10/17)
UFIP
19" Bionic Crash 1876g 2704583
14" Bionic Hi-Hats 1212/1408g 26000834/2600083
12" Class Hi-Hats 310/1000g 2704439/2704440
8" Class Splash 210g M 2300505
8" Class Splash 165g L 2304289
Ibrahim Diril
7" D Series Bell
6" Rawbell Shiny Series Splash
Zildjian
18" Spiral Trash Crash
Stagg
DH 12" China
BACKGROUND
I’m truly blessed to own an incredible collection of vintage, classic and modern drum sets.
There is something so very different about kits of old in the days when production numbers were not as important as creating something special.
I have owned and played many modern kits and only one had ever come close to being my own 'signature' set.
In 2016, a new drum company appeared on the scene and from the outset, the A&F Drum Company came at kit building from a whole new, yet retro angle with most kits made from metal!
Wow, would those ever be heavy was my reaction and I posted as much on Facebook and to my surprise, the owner of the company reached out to me to explain that these brass, bronze, and steel sets were in fact lighter than almost every wood-based kits.
That showed class and a professionalism that you don't often see and hear, especially from the company owner!
Since that day, I had researched and continued to study A&F drums from afar, that was until October 2021.
I was working with the legendary drummer Nick D'Virgilio and his band, Big Big Train. We got talking about my collection and I asked him about A&F who he had reviewed extremely favourably.
Working at Sweetwater, Nick had access to the drums, so he kindly agreed to bring over one, a tiny 6" x 4" Raw Steel Micro with internal snares, and brass hoops.
Needless to say, I fell in love with it, so I started to look more closely about which of their kits matched what I wanted from my own 'Signature' set. There in lay the beauty, you can in effect, build your own set and they will custom build it for you.
December 1st, I was at home with some unexpected time on my hands, so my thoughts were again on A&F, and I was viewing items, reviews and generally doing research on the drums.
Suddenly my eyes stumbled upon an advert from a UK based drum shop (that I had somehow never heard of?!) and to my amazement, featured was a pre-owned A&F set in the exact configuration and brass series that I was already, (as a seldom playing drummer,) trying to justify to myself.
A fraction of the cost, (especially as there would be no shipping, VAT and import charges!) there was a rush of adrenalin as I contacted the store to see if the set was still available!
To my amazement, the kit was indeed still available, so I instantly hit the buy it now button, and within minutes, I was in my car and headed to London. By midnight, I was back home and setting up the core of my new A&F set!
Now seriously, come on. Honestly, have you ever seen a more beautiful work of art drum set?! No is the correct answer!
These single tension Raw Brass drums are not only packing a hefty dose of pre twentieth century wood drum design, but the styling is also ultra-modern chic, with the raw brass just oozing class and that's even before you play them!
Sonically, oh my, the tones simply melted in my ears! Wide open, they sang like nothing I had played before, and I instantly knew my mind & creative genes were in total overload.
This stunning A&F custom Raw Brass / Steel set with a Mahogany Club 10 lug snare would now form the heart of my 'signature' set and truly, I felt blessed and honoured to own such a beautiful set of drums.
After owning and often being frustrated by many kits, I never expected that moment to come, yet there I sat well into the night, just noodling and each time I stopped and walked away, I would look back, audibly gasp, and sit right back down and play again. That has never happened before.
Fast forward, and I naturally had to add some Raw Brass snares to give me options in that department. These were a 14" x 6.5" Raw Brass and a 10” x 3” Rude Boy Brass.
I continued to talk privately with A&F's founder, Ramy Antoun who some of you may know had previously worked and toured with the Black-Eyed Peas and Seal, along with sessions for Paul Simon, James Taylor, Willie Nelson, and Bonnie Raitt, among others.
Ramy's passion for vintage drums matched my own and following a number of discussions, he kindly invited me to visit the factory just outside of Austin, Texas.
We met on a beautiful day in late November of 2022. Both he and his staff, could not have made myself and my girlfriend more welcome, and of course, I knew I would not be able to leave empty handed!
Following spinal surgery at the start of the year, for me, one of A&F's signature elite drum thrones was a must!
The Jonesy Brown-Diamond Tufted Brown Italian Saddle Leather (inspired by the old Harley Indian motorcycle seat) was my choice.
Handmade with Italian Saddle Leather and reinforced with heavy-duty thread stitching, the sides are meticulously stitched and with the logo embossed on each side.
A solid piece of high-density cooling tempurpedic foam is at the core, making it extremely breathable with extra rebound to retain the Jonesy's shape. It is without doubt, the most comfortable (not to mention beautiful) drum throne I have ever placed my derrière upon!
Before we left the factory, I was given the opportunity to play Ramy's own exceptionally beautiful and creatively inspiring A&F set featuring the incredible North Star cymbals.
To be completely honest, I was overwhelmed. Massively aware of my lack of talent / practice (I hadn't played in 2 years) and in total awe of the kit and its owner. It must have sounded horrible, but Ramy remained as gracious as ever though and what an absolute honour and rush to play that incredible set!
One last surprise was in store, as Ramy had also kindly arranged for me to visit their showhouse in the centre of Austin, so we departed after an amazing few hours, both stunned by our host's kindness and wonderful hospitality.
Downtown, we met with Chris Mead, who again, could not have been more welcoming to us.
There were many A&F sets on display, and I was invited to try whatever I wanted, however, not wishing to take up too much of Chris' time, I made a direct line to try out the then, hot of the production line, proto-type Featherweight kit!
The Featherweight Series is A&F's lightest set of drums made from a special mix of aluminium. Snares and Rack Toms weigh 3.6-4.5lbs, Floor Toms 7-8.5 lbs and bass drums 10-14lbs - That is roughly half the weight of a normal wood set!!!
I enjoyed the kit immensely. It was perhaps less open than my A&F making it slightly more defined in the attack. On a personal level, the weight given my spinal issues, it is a kit made in Heaven and something very much on my radar! It is even in my favourite (Texas) burnt orange natural finish !
Through 2023, whenever my extensive tour work allowed, I was back behind my now 'signature' A&F set, and with the additions that I have made around those beautiful A&F drums, it remains the most inspiring set of drums that I have owned.
UPDATE
In early April of 2024, Ramy and I were again in contact, and I was kindly offered this truly unique snare that had just been made. There was no hesitation in my mind about adding it to the collection.
A beautiful totally one off 12" x 3" Rude Boy snare in a stunning untreated matte brass finish and I can't wait to receive it.
As I will also soon to be back in Texas, I look forward to meeting up with Ramy once again, especially as there could be another A&F set on the horizon!
Please do go and check out A&F Drums. Sonically and aesthetically, there are no other drums on offer at this level of retro modern chic design and sonic brilliance! www.anfdrumco.com
