SEE MY VIDEO FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF ITEMS WE WILL BE SELLING: HERE. The "Chicago Collection" is a world class collection of drum sets and snare drums running from the 40s up to the present day. The collection belongs to a very good friend and long-time customer of ours. He has amassed a truly incredible collection and he is now thinning things down. To give you a sense of the scope of this collection, below you will see a list of some of the items, many of which will be available for sale.

His collection includes many Craviotto sets (signed shells) and such incredible rarites as:

- Craviotto drum set #3, which was the first sparkle lacquer kit produced

- Craviotto birdseye maple bop kit. One of only a handfull made by Johnny.

- Craviotto historic kit #500. Tonal balance red sparkle lacquer with inlay

- Craviotto/AK "Black Diamond" 5x14 snare from the small run of 25 drums from the Craviotto 10th anniversary.

- One of the cleanest Ludwig "Ringo-style" oyster black sets complete with all hardware, pedals, 13/16/22 and matching Jazz Fest snare.

- Stunning Camco 3D Moire Oaklawn 12/14/20/5x14

- Craviotto 8x12, 14x14, 14x16, 14x20, 5.5x14 whitewash with wood hoops. (The 14x16 floor tom is FT/BD conversion)

- Ludwig 60s 13/16/22 kits in Psych Red and Mod Orange, both with rail consolette.

- Grestch Limited Edition 7x14 "Fredkaster" snare drum from 2015. This drum celebrated Fred's 50 years in business. There were 50 drums in total, and each had a different date for each of Fred's 50 years. This drum is the very first one issued, with the date 1965.

- Grestch 60s era 3 ply 13/16/22/6.5x14 black diamond pearl in mint condition.

- Rogers Mardi Gras B&B lug 8x12, 14x14, 16x16, 14x20, 5x14 8 lug Holiday model snare and matching ultra-rare 5x14 wood dynasonic snare drum.

Today we are featuring a rare collector kit that I sold to this customer several years ago. This is the only set of this type that I have ever seen. This is a Gretsch kit from the 40s. The set is midnight blue pearl and has a 9x13, 16x16, 14x24, and incredibly, an ultra-rare Gretsch Gladstone 2 way tuning snare drum. I have never seen another factory kit such as this.

The set has the 40s era "rocket" lugs as shown. The set is all original and truly unique. The Gretsch Gladstone snare is the 2-way tuning style. This set belongs as a cornerstone piece of a fine collection. More detailed pics to follow. Contact Steve at vintagedrums@aol.com or by text at 630-865-6849 for more information.