With all calf heads, the drum sounds literally change with the weather, so it's hard to get an accurate recording of them. Generally, the toms haven't sounded great, but I also keep the skinds a bit loose while on display, and haven't really considered tuning them for playing. The 26" kick does have a really nice boom to it though, kind of like a small concert bass drum. I definitely could see recording with it someday in the right environment. The snare isn't bad, sounds like something from the '40s - warm and airy.

Bermuda

Here is my oldest so far. 1943 Slingerland Rolling Bombers.

Bermuda, should I keep the heads slack for display purposes?

They are original Radio King calf with tacked pig hide tom bottoms.

The 13" tom sounds amazing & so does the snare. The 16" has a huge

kind of muffled GK type sound. The 13" sounds OK but doesn't have the ring

that the 13" does.

Mostly for looking at anyway.

I am working on a set of Lyon & Healy with a 30" BD and

a 5X15" snare plus Temple Blocks, trap table and a unique

Wood pedal. Bass drum was painted blue over white over

beautiful inlaid maple/walnut. I am guessing 1910-1925?

I will post pic when done.

Here is the 1941 marble WFL set. The whole set has silver badges.

Oldest kit is a 1946 Leedy WMP with 13", 5.5x14", 16" floor and 26"x14" kick. This bass drum is a MONSTER!!!

[IMG]http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7377/dscn0505li.th.jpg[/IMG]

Oldest drum currently in my possesion is a 32.5" x 16" two ply Civil War era bass drum made by John C. Haynes circa 1863 - 1868. BIG CALFSKIN!

[IMG]http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/4789/img20110306132041.th.jpg[/IMG]

Oldest drum I have owned is a 17"(ish) field drum circa 1720 that was used by the 3rd New Jersey militia during the revolutionary War. It is one of only three known to exist and is now in a museum.

Tacked side.

[IMG]http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/7158/img20110331163424.th.jpg[/IMG]

Flash side.

[IMG]http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/4120/img20110331163412.th.jpg[/IMG]

Does anyone have a video or soundalike of one of these sets being played? I d love to hear the sound!

Really lovely kit!!

Pretty kit!!

I would keep the heads a little loose, so that temperature changes don't take them too tight, then loose, then tight, etc. Eventually they'll lose their ability to sing well if you decide to play them out. Better to keep them slack until needed.

Bermuda