Collector's Corner
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Steve Smith’s 1980 Sonor Phonic Kit
In early 1980 Journey was preparing to hit the road to support their album Departure which included the hit single “Any Way You Want It.” By that time, the band was a headline act playing arenas across North America and…
1930-39 Leedy Butterfly Girl Trap Kit with Rolling Console
The year is 1930, the place is Bridgeport, Conn. Composer and drummer Oscar F. Knablin plays this set of drums at the Fox-Poli Theater. How do we know this? Oscar was kind enough to write this information on the inside…
Tommy Aldridge’s 1977 Sonor Phonic, Pat Travers Band Drum Set
It’s no wonder that Tommy Aldridge is a rock drumming legend. As early as 1972 he set a new standard for hard rock drumming. His pioneering double bass drumming, plus his unique combination of power, precision, energy, and visual excitement,…
Rare and Collectible Snare Drums
Northup Drums Museum has over 100 snare drums on display that span over 100 years from the major American drum companies, Ludwig, Slingerland, Leedy, Gretsch, Rogers and others. The snare drum is an essential part of the drumkit and a…
Jerry Shirley’s Humble Pie Ludwig Roses Set
You never know what you’ll find on Craigslist. What initially looked like the crappiest set of drums I’ve ever seen, turned out to be one of the greatest and most iconic rock and roll drum sets of our time with…
1930 Ludwig Peacock Pearl Drum Outfit with original painted Millstream Scene Bass Drum head
The Northup Drums Museum specializes in early jazz drum kits with rare finishes and-or painted heads in near mint original condition. This 1930 Ludwig Peacock Pearl drum outfit fits all of the above criteria. It is featured with the original…
1936 Leedy Century “Full Dress” Trap Set with original Painted Dutch Windmill Scene
The Northup Drums Museum loves to acquire what we call “Time Capsule Kits.” That is what we call a drumset that started its instrumental life purchased all together at the same time. Over the years, any kit may have pieces…
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault: Kenney Jones’ Rod Stewart and Faces Ludwig “Allsorts” Drum Set
On September 2nd, 1972 I was about to attend my first rock concert. I was 12 years old. It was the last day of summer vacation. The next day would be my first day in the eighth grade. I hated…
1928 Ludwig Black Beauty Moose Drum Trap Set
Let’s take a trip back in time to the year 1928, the early jazz age. Drummer Jack “Peacock” Kelly, of Chicago’s Mark Fisher Orchestra, is one of the world’s highest paid drummers. Jack is featured on the cover of the…
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault: Stan Lynch’s Mitch Mitchell Inspired Ludwigs
In 1983, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers were on a roll. They’d been steadily cracking out gold and platinum albums and racking up hits with songs like “Breakdown,” American Girl,” “The Waiting,” “Don’t Do Me Like That,” and “Refugee.” The…
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault: Steve Smith’s 1987 Sonor Lite Vital Information Drum Set
This year marks the 45th anniversary of Steve Smith’s relationship with Sonor drums. Steve bought his first set of Sonor drums in 1977 while touring with jazz-fusion violinist, Jean-Luc Ponty. He played the same Sonor set touring with rock guitarist…
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault: Bun E. Carlos’ Cheap Trick-Sgt. Peppers Ludwig Drum Set (and more…)
I first met Cheap Trick drummer, Bun E. Carlos in the early 1990s. We’ve been buying, selling, and trading each other drums for decades. When he taught a drum clinic at my shop in the late 1990s, he surprised everyone…
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault
Ringo Starr Ludwig “Pizza” Drum Set The impact that Ringo Starr has made on the drum world cannot be overstated. He inspired generations of drummers to pick up the sticks. His drums and drumming have inspired endless research into the…
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault
Tré Cool’s Burnt Slingerland Kit Tré Cool is one of my favorite drummers. He is also one of the most interesting people I’ve worked with. He’s certainly one of few drummers who can ride the razor-thin line between control and…
