A couple photos from the 2010 Chicago Drum Show…

I’ve always been a big fan of vintage drums.  The sound, the look, the overall vibe they provide.  Designing the Black Label Drums is a direct result of my love of old school tubs, and that comes through in both the aesthetics and the sound.  The 2010 Chicago Drum Show in May was full of inspiring vintage pieces.  Below are a couple of my favorite kits from the show, most dating from the earlier years of drum building and an inspired era of design:

This pair of Ludwig Psychedelic Red kits were in amazing shape, with no fade and stunning chrome.  Prone to fading, kits in this condition are rare…and not often found in pairs:

An all original 1952 Gretsch White Pearl set, with a Gold Satin Flame kit peeking out behind it:

Round-Badge Gretsch drums in Tangerine Glass Glitter have long been some of my favorite drums.  Something about the color/hardware/sizes/etc. works perfectly:

This George Way kit was one of the sharpest kits at the show.  All original hardware and chrome in stunning condition, the aesthetics of this kit were perfect:

Long before DW, there was Camco:

This set of Trixon drums was one of the coolest kits at the show, in my humble opinion.  The wrap and a bit of the hardware is unoriginal, but even with the modifications you can’t deny the vintage German vibe of the Trixon egg-shaped bass and conical toms, check it out:

New set of Phatties for Cutting Through Clouds…

Jon from Cutting Through Clouds picked up his new set of Phatties over the weekend.  This is a Custom Shop kit featuring a 13″x9″ rack, 16″x14″ floor, and massive 24″x20″ bass.  The finish is Pre-Aged White Pearl with mahogany finished hoops featuring a matching inlay.  Radio King lugs and vintage hoop claws round out this package for a killer old-school look & sound, check it out:

A little blast from the past…

Been feeling a little nostalgic this week, having crossed the 10-years-in-business threshold recently.  So for today’s good times, here’s a shot of my first kit I bought myself back in the day.  I believe they originated in the factory that eventually became Pearl.  Japanese imports with Slingerland knock-off hardware, and a very faded Red Glass Glitter finish.  12″x8″, 16″x16″, 20″X14″, and a 14″x5.5″ snare.  Found them in a classified ad from a pawn shop around 15 years ago, and to this day they still get a little stick time.