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  • Latest purchases Aug 14th, 10am update

    New stock always coming in. We’re updating this daily as we get pics and get listings up. In the meantime, don’t wait! If interested contact Steve at 630-865-6849 by text or at vintagedrums@aol.com 8/9: COMING SOON: Gretsch round badge era, really clean and rare white satin flame. 8x12, 8x12, 14x14, 14x18, 5.5x14!!! Contact Steve. SEE THE VIDEO : https://youtu.be/cCUTfqoUKBc?is=vws71dQT2pOa0rTx Ludwig pre-serial number, silver sparkle Blue Note set. Complete with two 8x12s on floor stand, 16x16, 16x18, two 14x22 bass drums, 5x14 matching 8 lug snare, 6” and 8” bongos, and matching canister throne. Also a 9x13, also pre serial number but with newer tom mount bracket introduced that year. Contact Steve. IN STOCK: Slingerland Radio King drum set. New. PROTOTYPE. One-of-a-kind. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/99830546-slingerland-radio-king-prototype-drum-set-satin-mahogany-13-16-22-6-5 Killer Craviotto solid Ash drum set with special hand-done burn treatment to enhance grain. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/100101677-craviotto-13-16-24-solid-shell-ash-drum-set-with-special-burn-enhancement Gretsch USA Custom 10/12/14/20: https://reverb.com/item/99708429-gretsch-20-10-12-14-usa-custom-drum-set-gloss-classic-maple New Ludwig Citrus Mod Jazzette 8x12, 14x14, 12x18!: https://reverb.com/item/99505241-ludwig-12x18-8x12-14x14-classic-maple-jazzette-new-yorker-drum-set-citrus-mod Craviotto solid Poplar steam bent 12/14/20/5.5 in dark copper sparkle lacquer. https://reverb.com/item/99414329-craviotto-20-12-14-5-5x14-solid-poplar-shell-drum-set-copper-sparkle-lacquer FROM THE NASHVILLE MUSIC CITY DRUM SHOW! GRETSCH USA CUSTOM COMING TO US. That’s my longtime friend and Gresch USA VP Terry Bissette behind the kit! Special kit for the show: Concert toms 7x10, 8x12, 9x13, 12x14 FT, 14x16 FT with a 12x20 bass drum. A killer set and finished in beautiful satin orange. $5799 special price. Ships to me after the show ends tomorrow. Check this out! And, single head toms were used by jazz great Chico Hamilton as far back as the 60s, and of course by legendary Hal Blaine in the late 60s through the 70s on tons of major pop hits. Even today, these toms have many applications in all styles of music. THE VERY FIRST OF OUR USA MADE LUDWIG NEUSONIC SETS IN EXCLUSIVE FIREBURST, WITH VINTAGE BUILD. ONLY AVAILABLE THORUGH US: https://reverb.com/item/99295790-ludwig-usa-20-12-14-neusonic-downbeat-outfit-video-fireburst-pearl-w-maxwell-ludwig-rail LOTS OF GREAT SETS AND SNARES. SEE BELOW. An amazing and wonderfully crafted 250th Anniversary RCI Starlite 8x14 snare drums. Only 20 will be built. I have two. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/99139523-rci-starlite-usa-250th-anniversary-8x14-tribute-snare-drum-only-20 Fantastic and rare. WFL 7x14 Twin Streiner in WMP. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/99001660-ludwig-wfl-7x14-twin-strainer-30-s-snare-drum-white-marine-pearl One of only 3 made! 7x14 Craviotto Private Reserve snare drum. 600 year old Timeless Timber birch. Wood hoops. Specially commissioned by me as a tribute to the Timeless Timber drums Johnny made from 1999-early 2000s. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/99197614-craviotto-7x14-private-reserve-timeless-timber-snare-drum-3-of-3-600-y-o-lake-superior-birch Gretsch Broadkaster 13/16/22/5.5x14 vintage build in my exclusive cameo coral finish. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/98993746-gretsch-22-13-16-5-5x14-broadkaster-vintage-build-drum-set-exclusive-satin-cameo-coral Gretsch USA Custom 13/16/22 in my exclusive Mardi Gras finish. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/98994916-gretsch-22-13-16-usa-custom-drum-set-exclusive-mardi-gras Ludwig Classic Maple 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 in my exclusive Rose Marine Pearl finish. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/97354910-ludwig-18-12-14-classic-maple-jazzette-drum-set-rose-marine-pearl Craviotto 13/16/22 solid steam bent maple drum set. See it here: https://reverb.com/item/97917692-craviotto-22-13-16-custom-shop-solid-maple-drum-set-maple-inlay Beautiful Sonor 60s era set in slate pearl. See it at: https://reverb.com/item/94153557-sonor-20-12-13-16-5x14-60-s-new-york-drum-set-slate-pearl Gretsch Brooklyn walnut gloss lacquer. 8x10, 8x12, 16x16, 16x22. Gorgeous set and no waiting 10 months! Ready to ship. See it HERE: https://reverb.com/item/97593825-gretsch-22-10-12-16-brooklyn-drum-set-gloss-walnut New Slingerland Radio King USA 3 ply drum set. Black diamond pearl with Slingerland setomatic tom holder (only available through us). See it HERE: https://reverb.com/item/97840731-slingerland-22-13-16-radio-king-drum-set-black-diamond-pearl Ludwig Classic Maple 12/14/18 Jazzette. Moss green pearl. See it HERE: https://reverb.com/item/97541239-ludwig-18-12-14-classic-maple-jazzette-outfit-moss-green-pearl Slingerland Unlimited Radio King 5.5x14 white marine pearl. Solid Craviotto shells. See it HERE: https://reverb.com/item/94174119-slingerland-5-5x14-radio-king-craviotto-solid-shell-unlimited-edition-snare-drum-white-marine-pearl-video Ludwig 60s 13/16/22 red sparkle with COB rims. See it HERE: https://reverb.com/item/97353546-ludwig-20-13-16-super-beat-drum-set-red-sparkle-w-cob-rimshttps://reverb.com/item/97353546-ludwig-super-classic-red-sparkle-drum-set-13-16-22-cob-rims One of a kind! Gretsch espresso burst USA Custom bop kit 12/14/18/5.5 with gold hardware. Dead mint! See it HERE. https://reverb.com/item/96238759-gretsch-18-12-14-5-5x14-24k-gold-hdw-usa-custom-drum-set-exclusive-espresso-burst

  • SOLD. 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!

    8/1/26. I am happy to say that this incredible drum has found a new home with someone who truly is a great caretaker of American music 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 historic “Inner Mounting Flame” album. The drum then went to John Riley, a noted NYC educator and jazz drummer, who owned and used it for many years. I sold the drum for John to a private client many years ago and it is now available again. Letter of Authenticity from Steve will be included. Price on request. Contact Steve by text at 630-865-6849 or by email at vintagedrums@aol.com

  • It’s back! Ludwig Rose Marine Pearl. Get your orders in now. Delivery in time for the holidays!

    We have a brand new order of this beautiful wrap coming in and we are taking orders right now for delivery late November. Contact Steve at 630-865-6849 or by email at vintagedrums@aol.com

  • Original Billy Gladstone snare drum. 7x14, black, chrome hardware. 100% original and exceedingly clean.

    Truly an incredible specimen here. Check out my video which explains the history of this drum and also discusses the many innovations that Billy created specifically for these Gladstone snares. The video is 12 years old now, which is when I originally sold this drum. Since that time I have brokered more of these rare drums, but suffice it to say that these rarely surface on the market, and this one is exceedingly clean. Truly the Holy Grail of snare drums. The drum is with the client I sold it to, but will be back with me soon. Currently set up with wire snares rather than the coated gut shown in the video. Contact me directly for pricing and more details at 630-865-6859 or by email at vintagedrums@aol.com https://youtu.be/yglGUmQTgEw?is=LNiDqmxQmENnJOcD

  • Ludwig Neusonic from Maxwell Custom Shop!!

    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:

  • New museum piece. Mousie Alexander’s WFL drum set!

    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!

  • Stunning, amazing and ultra rare! Gretsch USA Custom espresso burst with gold hardware. Made for me.

    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

  • See our latest Reverb listings

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

  • Slingerland Radio King 3 ply drum set gold glass glitter, 12-14-20 and our set-o-matic tom holder!

    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.

  • Craviotto Buddy Rich Commemorative Snare Drum Model. Maxwell exclusive.

    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

  • Some history and a video for you. Ludwig kit used by Steve Jordan at Fame studios in Muscle Shoals, home of The Swampers. Check it out.

    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

  • Ludwig blue/olive Jazzette 8x12, 14x14, 14x18 black panther. Fabulous set!

    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

2000 Bloomingdale Rd

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