Get ready for some fun! Ludwig’s Neusonic series is made from 100% US shells and is a fantastic product. These sets are lightweight with small classic lugs, and are really pro-level sets. You’ll be hard pressed to find a US-made set at this quality and this price point. And now, we are offering custom sets. These 8x12, 14x14, 14x20 kits are hugely versatile, and we are selling these with our Maxwell Ludwig rail mount (a $250 add-on, but just $100 for these sets), as well as vintage 9.5mm tom leg brackets and legs. Truly a flexible option and a cool ‘vintage vibe’. Ideal for small stages since no need to hang the tom from a cymbal stand. AND, THESE WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE WITH OUR EXCLUSIVE FIREBURST WRAP!!! STAY TUNED!! See a fireburst Classic Maple kit below for color reference. Here’s an example in blue pearl:

This is a great WFL (Ludwig) set that belonged to Mousie Alexander, who was a great jazz drummer from the 50s through the 80s. He performed with many great artists including Benny Goodman, Pearl Bailey, Clark Terry, Doc Severinson on the The Tonight Show, and many more. This set has the signs of lots of use and even shows where Mousey had switched over to a double rack tom set up and therefore drilled extra holes. The kit has the 9x13, both 16x16s, the bass drum and the Jazz Fest style snare, plus the original bass drum resonant head! Very cool kit!

As part of the 2026 Chicago Drum Show we are pleased to be able to host a preshow event at our Glendale Heights store on Thursday 5/14 from 6-9 pm. A special part of our event will be a preview of the great Slingerland Drums that you will see both at our booth and the Slingerland booth at the Chicago Drum Show. We promise that there will be some very exciting things for you to see at the open house. In addition, you’ll be able to see all of our curated vintage drum collection and many of the items we have on sale. You can also see sets that were owned by famous individuals, including Louis Bellson, and many many more. We will also have on display fantastic Slingerland Radio King snare drums from the 1935 original edition. A white marine pearl as well as a nickel over brass and we will also have a Slingerland black beauty from the late 20s for display as well. There will be folks on hand from Slingerland and we anticipate having a great time. We hope to see you there. Contact Steve at vintagedrums@aol.com to confirm or by text at 630-865-6849

8x12, 14x14, 14x18, 5.5x14. More pics coming. Truly a pristine example and a unique piece. The gold hardware option is long gone, so grab this rarity while you can. Virtually unplayed and never saw a gig. See all photos and purchase at our Reverb store: https://reverb.com/item/96238759-gretsch-18-12-14-5-5x14-24k-gold-hdw-usa-custom-drum-set-exclusive-espresso-burst

Lots of great stuff just added! https://reverb.com/shop/stevemaxwelldrums-chicago

This is an amazing group of cymbals we just took in from a very meticulous collector friend of ours. These are all New Old Stock and are being offered here at prices below the current prices for new ones you’ll find online. All of these have gram weights right in the sweet spot for the size. Want us to match a full set for you? We can do that. Check this out. Contact us via messaging here on the website or contact Steve by text at 630-865-6849 or by email at vintagedrums@aol.com K Constantinople Series: 13” high hats 840/1000gr $500. Made 2007 14” high hats 930/1189gr $550. Made 2010 SOLD 17” crash 1176gr $450. Made 2011 18” crash 1370gr $450. Made 2011 20” medium ride 2099gr $575. Made 1999 SOLD 21 ” Big Band Ride 2528gr $600. Made 1998 SOLD 22” Bounce Ride 2415gr $650. Made 2010 20” Flat Ride (RARE!) 1761gr $700. Made 2005. Kerope Series: SOLD 14” high hats 920/1178gr. $500 SOLD 18” crash 1278gr $400 SOLD 19” crash ride 1616gr $400 20” ride 2096gr $550 SOLD 22” ride 2442gr $600 SOLD 24” ride (rare) 3250gr $750

Steve’s Notes: This is such a great set! The new Slingerland Radio King series in gold glass glitter. 8x12, 14x14, 14x20. AND, this set is complete with my original reproduction of the Slingerland set-o-matic tom holder. I ordered this set specifically without the bracket Slingerland uses on the 12, since we wanted to mount the set-o-matic, which has a different hole spacing. This tom holder was a fabulous one designed by Slingerland from the mid 60s onward through the 70s. Great design. Ours is chrome plated, but it looks great along with the nickel hardware. We’re including the tom holder at no extra cost. See our Reverb listing here: https://reverb.com/item/95855665-slingerland-12-14-20-radio-king-3-ply-drum-set-gold-glass-glitter-with-set-o-matic-tom-holder HERE’S WHAT SLINGERLAND SAYS ABOUT THIS GREAT SERIES: Compact, balanced and rooted in classic design, the Slingerland Radio King 3-piece shell pack delivers vintage-inspired American drum character in a streamlined, space-conscious configuration. Built in Oxnard, California, and available in a variety of finishes, this shell pack features three-ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany shells with 100% maple re-rings and 30-degree bearing edges for warm lows, smooth mids and controlled resonance that sits comfortably in a mix. The 12x8" rack tom, 14x14" floor tom and 20x14" bass drum create a compact drum kit with a balanced tonal spread, offering added low-end presence and projection while remaining manageable for smaller stages or studio spaces. Lastly, nickel-plated hardware, Stick Saver hoops and built-in tone control mufflers further shape the kit’s vintage-inspired response while providing modern reliability for everyday playing. Three-Ply Shell Construction With Maple Re-Rings At the core of the Radio King sound is its three-ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany shell construction, designed to produce warm lows, smooth mids and controlled highs. The addition of 100% maple re-rings reinforces each shell for improved structural integrity while enhancing tonal focus and projection. This combination delivers a balanced, resonant voice that remains open yet controlled across a wide tuning range. Whether tuned low for a fuller, vintage-style thump or higher for added articulation and rebound, the shells maintain clarity and depth, allowing the drums to sit naturally in both live and studio environments. 30-Degree Bearing Edges for Vintage-Inspired Response The 30-degree bearing edges increase head-to-shell contact, producing a slightly softer feel and a more controlled sustain. This design helps reduce excessive overtones while maintaining warmth and tonal character, making it easier to dial in a focused sound without relying heavily on external dampening. The increased contact also promotes even head tension and consistent response across the playing surface, supporting dynamic control from subtle ghost notes to more pronounced accents. The result is a smooth, balanced feel that reflects the classic Radio King playing experience. Compact Configuration With Classic Hardware Appointments Slingerland's 20x14" bass drum delivers deeper low-end presence with a controlled, focused response, while the 12x8" rack tom and 14x14" floor tom provide balanced articulation and tonal spread across the kit. Nickel-plated hardware, Stick Saver hoops and streamlined lugs promote tuning stability while allowing the shells to resonate naturally. An isolated tom mount helps the rack tom vibrate more freely, preserving the shell’s natural resonance and sustain. Built-in tone control mufflers provide quick, on-the-fly sustain adjustment without additional dampening, making it easy to adapt to different rooms or playing styles. Designed for drummers seeking expressive dynamics in a compact drum kit format, the Slingerland Radio King 3-piece shell pack blends traditional craftsmanship, balanced tone and modern reliability for stage and studio use.

Here's to a classic snare drum look and tone. In conjunction with Cathy Rich, the Craviotto Drum Company is proud to announce the Buddy Rich Commemorative Snare Drum. This incredible drum is modeled after the Slingerland Buddy Rich model from the early 1970s, but updated with the world famous Craviotto solid maple shell. Each drum is hand-made by Craviotto craftsmen in Nashville TN, and will come with a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by Cathy Rich. Specifications: 4.5x14", Sixteen side-by-side lugs, Slingerland-style "stick saver" rims, 45-degree edges, Special "BR" badge and Craviotto Private Reserve badge. Available in Vintage White Marine Pearl or Chrome wrap. $2000. Contact Steve at vintagedrums@aol.com

Scope out this video. A little history to speak about the great studio players who were responsible for so much great music. This one touches on The Swampers, who held court at the world famous Fame studio in Muscle Shoals. https://youtu.be/SSC5ArTNgsg?si=crKL938kd5TfHr9k

Here is a very rare vintage 70's Ludwig Jazzette, finished in its original Black Panther wrap. 14x18", 8x12", 14x14" - this outfit is all original with the exception of its heads and is in excellent condition! There are a couple cosmetic blemishes on the chrome as well as the surface of the wrap, most notably a point of contact between the rail consolette and the wrap on top of the bass drum, as well as some very minor rash opposite from the badge panel, player's side on the 14x14". Serial numbers are: 14x18" - 840347 - Date stamped Feb 10, 1971 8x12" - 796530 - 14x14" - 905470 Steve's Notes: This is SUCH a cool set! Truly rate. As many of you know, black panther wrap was very thin and was used to cover citrus mod shells. Citrus Mod is insanely rare, and never seen as 12/14/18. This set is NOT citrus mod. (I was able to check under a small spot under a lug on each drum). BUT, it is a very cool set. Factory issued. The actual catalogued ‘Jazzette’ had a 12x18 bass drum, but this set was ordered with a 14x18 so I’m still calling it a Jazzette, since that name defines the Ludwig kit offered with an 18BD. See more pics and info here: https://reverb.com/item/90363300-ludwig-18-12-14-vintage-70-s-jazzette-drum-set-black-panther

Roberto Tini is a well known master Producer doing work at Abbey Road Studios. This is a set we just built and shipped to Abbey Road Stusios. It s one of the most stunning we have ever made. It will be featured on many of Robert’s projects. This set is walnut/ash/walnut with 9x13, 16x16, 16x18, 14x24 and 7x14. Truly stunning!!!

Steve's Notes: I have always been a fan of 4x14 snares. Johnny was as well. Even though most of our Craviotto sales are 6.5x14, followed by 5.5x14, we are seeing a resurgence in popularity for the 4x14 size. This makes a lot of sense when you think about it: - We’ve had customers looking for this size as the perfect fit for smaller venues. The drum gives them all the performance they could want, and sonically fits in smaller clubs better than a deep 6.5. - Also, this size is a perfect “second snare” or “side snare” on your main kit. It can function as a “semi-piccolo”. - Lastly, they’re great in the recording studio as well. - And of course, with the incredible Craviotto solid shell, this drum can be tuned high up in piccolo range, but can also function down in the range of a 5.5. This particular drum is a Private Reserve due to the incredible birdseye maple shell. See the Reverb listing: https://reverb.com/item/92225182-craviotto-4x14-private-reserve-snare-drum-birdseye-maple?publish_confirmation=true This snare drum features: 45 degree bearing edges Natural oil finish 10x Craviotto tube lugs Craviotto Trick strainer