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Craviotto in Abbey Road Studios!
That’s right: This incredible Craviotto bop kit will shortly be on its way to Abbey Road Studios in London. Going to Roberto Tini, Producer. This is a very unique Craviotto Private Reserve solid shell drum set. The Craviotto team crafted this unique kit using 8 different species of wood, and the blend of wood species for each drum is intended to make the kit sonically balanced, as well as striking to look at. The 5.5x14 snare drum is ash/poplar. The 8x12 is curly maple/cherry


Ludwig Classic Maple, exclusive Rose Marine Pearl. Two very cool sets.
We’ve had this finish as an exclusive with Ludwig for many years. I thought I had sold all the sets, but recently found some buried deep in the stock pile. Right now we have two Downbeat sets. 8x12, 14x14, 14x20, and then one very cool set that I had ordered which is 8x12, 9x13, 14x14, 14x16, 14x20. I ordered the two floor tome with the same 14” depth, because I like the balanced decay when those are each the same depth. Here are the Reverb links for each of these, but contac


It was worth the wait!! Slingerland Radio King Unlimited Edition snare drums with Craviotto solid maple shells!!
See Steve’s video HERE: https://youtu.be/qFI0Q4llPTc?si=qCMnNcgKIqM2hVrs Check out our Reverb listings for these HERE: https://reverb.com/my/selling/listings?state=live Introducing the Radio King Unlimited Edition, brand new from Slingerland in 2026! Featuring a Craviotto solid 1-ply steam-bent maple shell with nickel plated hardware, the release of the Unlimited Series marks another success in the return of Slingerland Drum Company. Now offered in six finishes - Black Gold


Ludwig pre serial number Blue Note red sparkle. From my personal collection.
My friend Charlie over at Badges Drum Shop had this set and I grabbed it from him a couple of years back. This set is pre serial number so the rims are chrome over brass. The set is immaculate as the photos show. Even original heads. Some of these pics are mine and some were from Charlie. The Blue Note was Ludwig’s first double bass model and can be seen in the 1960 catalog. When first offered, the mounted toms were two drums of the same size, and the bass drums were 14x22 b


Johnny Craviotto’s first 4x14 snare drum, built in1995. From his personal collection. Net proceeds go to his family.
As stated above, the net proceeds from this drum will go to Johnny’s family. This is truly a historic drum. The first 4x14. Solid maple shell. Back when this drum was made, Johnny was using a variety of different strainers and rims, and the tube lugs were the standard available at the time. This drum was made in 1995, and Johnny didn’t formally start the Craviotto Drum Company until 2004, which was when he dialed in the new features such as the diamond foot tube lugs design,


Gretsch Dealer Spotlight for our shop, with Nick D’Virgilio.
I had the great pleasure last summer of sitting with Nick and talking about all things Gretsch, and also talking about my experiences over the years. I am also very thankful for the kind words from all of the people who commented on this video. Very much appreciated. Hope you enjoy it! Steve https://youtu.be/hg5T9SM_JuY?si=UnKN-qwpYZpcEPng


Ludwig 20’s 4x14 Black Beauty. One of the most historic snare drums of all time. WFL Sr, Big Sid Catlett, Papa Jo Jones, Billy Cobham, John Riley. Incredible history!
Ludwig 1920s 4x14" Black Beauty snare drum owned by Papa Jo Jones and several of the most prominent drummers of all time: This incredibly historic drum was passed from William F. Ludwig Sr. to Gene Krupa, who passed it to Big Sid Catlett. Big Sid gave it to Papa Jo Jones (who can be seen playing this drum in a video with Milt Buckner, just search YouTube for “Jo Jones, a magician on drums, in Caravan”). Papa Jo gave the drum to Billy Cobham, who used the drum to record the hi


Steve’s Podcasts: The 1967 Rogers catalog!
Here is a short podcast discussing the 1967 Rogers catalog. Lots of pics of these great drums! https://youtu.be/ROgBpI2mTGw?si=zWv0bcS_njmGgiXp


Gretsch USA Custom exclusive white satin flame, vintage build.
Brand new and in stock now, here is a Gretsch USA Custom drum set from our exclusive run of Elvin Jones tribute sets! This set is 14x18", 8x12", 14x14", and 5.5x14" - all vintage build and finished in white satin flame. Check Steve's notes below for more info on these limited sets, and be sure to check our video demo! Steve’s notes: New and exclusive for Maxwell Drums! We have exclusive use of white satin flame with Gretsch, and we are doing a run of Elvin Jones tribute sets


Steve’s Videos: The “greatest of all time”; Gene (his Gladstone snare!), Buddy, and Louie (their wood Dynas). Their snare drums played side by side.
Update 1/11. I had the wrong video linked. Fixed now. Enjoy! This video is one that I loved making. It was such an honor to be able to make this video and to play these snares from three of the world’s most talented and influential drummers. Gene and Buddy’s snares have gone to new homes, but Louie’s remains in my personal collection. Over 400,000 people have seen this video. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/LysrNyjSRfI?si=CjvKBbXtIutgM3Pr


Steve’s Videos. A Slingerland set used by Buddy Rich for a one show in IL in the 70s. Cool set with a great back story.
You’ll enjoy the story behind this one. Check out the video for the story and some playing on this set. Killer set that has gone to a new home. https://youtu.be/Ob1gO0o-UjA?si=ZXbswgkxK6F47oHg


Steve’s videos. Craviotto kit #1 and #1000.
Here’s a great video that pays tribute to Johnny’s work. You’ll see and hear the very first set, #1, which is 9x13, 16x16, 14x22 and 5.5x14, and then we top it off with a historically significant set, #1000, which was made entirely from 600 year old Timeless Timber birch. This is the only complete Craviotto set ever made from Timeless Timber. Johnny made snares, but wood wide enough for an entire kit was exceedingly rare. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/DRDqBlBafPA?si=ils4eU5gSGXLGh


Louie Bellson’s Rogers drum set, Charlie Watts collection.
I managed Charlie’s collection of drums from 2007-2014. Over the course of that time he purchased many sets and other items from me. His desire was to purchase items that were owned by drummers he admired. One of those was Louie Bellson. I sold this set to Charlie and wanted to share it here as a piece of our drumming history. For those who have never heard of Louie, check out this video. It’s a grainy black and white from 1967, but check out Louie’s playing. https://youtu.be


Craviotto Private Reserve - 5x14 - AMBROSIA w/ NO INLAY - 45° EDGES - OIL FINISH
Ambrosia maple is a softer maple and it is unique in terms of the grain on each drum. This species is home to a small beetle that actually creates very small holes in the shell, and the excrement from the beetle creates the various striations in the grain. Superb sounding solid maple Cravioto shell and each drum is virtually unique due to the way the striations are formed. $2200. Contact Steve at vintagedrums@aol.com or by text at 630-865-6849.


Craviotto Private Reserve - 6x14 - CYPRESS w/ NO INLAY - 45° EDGES - TOASTED/ OIL FINISH
Another stunningly beautiful solid Cypress drum. 6x14 with 45 degree edges. This one has our unique “toasted/oil” finish that enhances the existing grain. Cypress is known for its percussive attack and brighter sound, and quicker decay. A wonderful drum!! $2500. Contact Steve at vintagedrums@aol.com or by text at 630-865-6849


Craviotto Private Reserve - 5.5x14 - CURLY MAPLE w/ NO INLAY - 45° EDGES - MEDIUM BURNT / EBONIZED /OIL FINISH
Another stunning curly maple Craviotto Private Reserve snare with our medium burnt/ebonized finish that truly brings out the grain. Fabulous solid maple Craviotto shell versatility and a stunning drum. $2600. Contact Steve at vintagedrums@aol.com or by text at 630-865-6849


Craviotto Private Reserve - 6x14-CURLY MAPLE w/ NO INLAY - 45° EDGES - LIGHT EBONIZED/ OIL FINISH
Talk about grain! Look at the curly maple on this shell! And, our “light ebonizing” process brings that grain out spectacularly. Gorgeous drum with the fantastic and versatile sound of a solid maple shell with 45 degree edges. $2600. Contact Steve by text at 630-865-6849 or by email at vintagedrums@aol.com


Craviotto Private Reserve - 5x14 - CYPRESS w/ NO INLAY - HYBRID EDGES - BURNT / OIL FINISH
A stunningly beautiful drum with our Hybrid edge which is rounded at the outside and 45 at the top towards the inside. This takes some overtones out, while the 45 portion keeps the tuning range, projection and sensitivity at the maximum. The burnt oil finish brings out the grain even more spectacularly. Cypress is known for its percussive attack and brighter sound, and quicker decay. A wonderful drum!! $2400. Contact Steve at vintagedrums@aol.com or by text at 630-865-6849


Joe Morello’s Ludwig set from the 25th Anniversary of the Brubeck Quartet.
This set is incredible and has a wonderful provenance. The video below will give you all the details. The wonderful thing about this set is that it was used by Joe for the 25th anniversary of the original Brubeck quartet. YouTube has a posted video of 19 minutes taken from that concert. The concert is also available on CD. The set includes the 9x13, 16x16, 14x22 silver sparkle Ludwig “Mach 4” series drums, as well as a 60s era silver sparkle canister throne of Joes, and the 5


From The Past: Papa Jo Jones
Here is a reprint of a series I did for Modern Drummer many years ago. Enjoy! Steve Papa Jo Jones was the epitome of "swing", from his very early days with the Count Basie band in the 30s, right up until he passed in 1985. His style, grace, and his incredibly 'musical" approach to drumming inspired people like Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, and so many more. His technical skills were quite substantial, but he never let that get in the way of the music. Wi
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