Bellflower music is well known to drummers & collectors in the LA area. The owners have been turning down reasonable offers for vintage drums & parts, the past 23 years that I've known them. Their preposterous prices, & attitude ensure that almost nothing ever gets sold.

Sort of like my visit to Horntrader Music in OKC earlier this month. I almost crapped when I walked in and saw the incredible collection of vintage gear in there. You want a B&B Mardis Gras finished Rogers snare? Got it. Whole sets of WWII wood lugged drums (from all the major brands)- got 'em. Cocktail drums- half a dozen. How about a Barry folding aluminum bass drum- no problem. A Duplex snare- sure. I asked for prices on two items: the Duplex, and a 16" Rogers floor tom in red sparkle that didn't match a set and had 1 wrong lug casing, and 1 broken beavertail. The guy called someone on the phone (while I stood there) and asked what he could get. I don't know who he was talking to, but came back with $650 on the floor tom, and about the same on the snare. Too rich for my blood. I left sad.

Fork's in Nashville is kinda like that..

Above the front counter is a shelf with every vintage Slingerland snare in most of the finishes.....none for sale.....lotta JazzFests too.

Hello to all, I'm new to this forum, well in truth I'm new to forums period. I could'nt find the intro page so pardon me if this is inapropriate;

That place brings back memories. Back in 1971 my parents bought my first drum set across the street at a pawnshop that specialized in musical instruments.

I found it in the "Yellow Pages" (remember those?), it was the first place we shopped to find me an instrument so mom could reclaim her pots & tops. Well, as soon as we walked in I saw this gorgeous WMP Ludwig on a shelf with a chrome snare and a big cymbal. I was sold immediately. It was a pre-serial 1962 Ludwig 22,16,13 with the 5x14 COB Supraphonic snare, 62 Button feet Hi Hat and a speed king pedal. The Cymbal was a 20" A Zildjian hand lathed and hammered crash ride. Total cost? A whopping $150.00!! I went back later and purchased a pair of 15"A Zildjian thin 50s Hi Hats for $50.

In ignorance I trashed the kit because I HAD to have 2 mounted toms and, well there's a horrible story involved. But on the upside I enjoyed playing that kit for many years and the snare and hi-hat stand still survive in excellent condition.

Ok, I see what's happening here, when you type in the word "f l o w e r"' it comes up flower. The actual name of the store is " B e l l f l o w e r Music Center". This is my local mom and pop store, I live right down the street. The owner, "Ruth", is a very nice lady, who loves collecting drums. I've actually gotten some great deals from her, when she's there. They've got a great stash of old parts.

Your lucky to have a store like that and so close. Where do you live, Maybury? lol! ( you know Any Griffith, small town) LoLoLoLo

Been there and actually bought a snare...turned out to be a great deal! I was amazed at the inventory this guy had the first time I was there. I take it you didn't go upstairs??? That is where the MOTHER LOAD is! High prices, but never before seen drum items.

Nevin

Yeah, right down the 91 from me. I picked up a few cymbals a while back, but most of the gear is overpriced, or in poor to only fair shape, and they don't like dealing. Or, selling. I asked about a drum on the snare rack, and apparently because I showed interest, it was suddenly not for sale.

These days I stop in only if I'm driving right past it, and feel like an effort in futility.

Bermuda

Apparently you guys need to ask Mendozart to do your shopping there...

If I owned a drum shop and had a collection, I would probably like to display it just like Gary did there. They are up on a high shelf for all to admire when they walk in the door. Better thn hiding them in one's basement. No harm.