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What Leedy do have here? Last viewed: 1 hour ago

Posts: 30 Threads: 6

Hi all, new to this forum.

I lately inherited some vintage drums. Among them I got this Leedy snare, marked inside 3607, which, I gather would be July of 1936. I looked around here in that wonderful section on Leedy snares but I don't see anything like this beast with the "vise clamp" snare strainer machanism. It has a rod that runs through it to the other side and it raises the snares "flat" to the head using two sets of elaborate linkage. Talk about over-engineering. This one belonged to my great uncle who played professionally from the late 20's to sometime in the 40's. It appears to be somewhat rough, but all there It's filled with really old dust, which obscures the interior shots. The strainer is solid and functional as is the damper. I'm glad those snares are intact, they appear to be made of unobtanium. Interesting rim shot (NOT). The heads are 1960's as far as I can tell. What do I have here? I also include a publicity shot of my great uncle at his rig, unfortunately the snare is not terribly visible. The snare in the old picture may be a different drum. This Leedy has a six-inch-deep shell. I wish the rest of that kit survived!

Josh

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/HarryPorsche/Leedybadge.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/HarryPorsche/Leedystrainer_2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/HarryPorsche/Leedytopbatter.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/HarryPorsche/Leedydamperknob.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/HarryPorsche/Leedyinside_1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/HarryPorsche/HAROLDDRUMS30s.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

It is a Leedy Parallel model your correct about the year of the drum, it is a beauty.Very cool pic of your uncle.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

nostalgic as can b im misplaced in this time that was my era

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 1041 Threads: 64

Fantastic drum! Thanks for sharing the photos. I really like the photo of you uncle!

-Justin

"People might look at you a bit funny, but it's okay. Artists are allowed to be a bit different."- Bob Ross

"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music..." - Aldous Huxley
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 30 Threads: 6

Thank you so much for the ID and all the compliments, everyone! My great uncle was quite a guy. Drummers kind of run in our family, his son and myself are the second and third generations to play his drum. My cousin gave me all the remaining stuff he had. He can no longer play due to infirmity(old age ain't fer sissies).

That snare sounded out across the decades this afternoon. Very nice BIG, resonant sound. I also got a set of 1963 Ludwigs to put next to my '75's. Here's a shot of the kit right after my uncle got it for my cousin. They're a bit yellower than those photos now.... My great uncle is the guy with the flat-top haircut. I wish I had a shot of my cousin at them, too. I also wish my dad had let me set up in the living room!

Josh

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/HarryPorsche/drums/JOE_GROVEMAN_amp_HAROLD_amp_ANN.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Too cool for school....

Time to get some Cape Cod polishing pads for the nickel on that Leedy snare..and Novus 2 and 1 for the shell...drum should be solid maple!

Where in Mich are you? G.R. here....

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

JDB what a cool snare drum and history! Great picture of your Great Uncle! Much like the pictures of Gene Krupa and his use of shadows. Very very cool. ;)

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 1094 Threads: 183

love the old family pics. Great drums you have, cheers.

Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 1014 Threads: 14

Nice old drum,great pics,nice to see a family Heirloom getting passed down,and as a bonus that it will be played.

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 30 Threads: 6

Interesting about cleaning up the Leedy. I am primarily a drummer, but I also play bass. In the guitar world, they recommend against restoration of things like the chrome and the general finish of an instrument. The wear is supposed to confer some kind of status, or what is referred to as "mojo". I don't care for such a philosophy.

I build bass guitars from time to time (now that I have my range approximately covered) (yeah, right). I keep them clean and polished. My drums, however, are another matter entirely. While I don't abuse them, they do get dusty, and the chrome on the snare is not whole, by any means. I just don't feel the need to "chase after" my main instrument's state of high-polish. I've noticed this phenomenon with guitarists and bassists, as well. I had a teacher tell me once, during a discussion of how I cleaned up his instrument prior to repairing and setting it up; "We just PLAY our instruments". I get that.

I consider my approach to drums as more of a preservationist. I will clean and, if possible, restore the finish of the metal parts as well as the rest of the drum and do intend to apply some TLC to that old soldier of a snare. Once it's done, I'll likely play it, but not "out". The '63 kit that I got with it, needs quite a bit more, but I will restore them to a more "working" state of polish. At least the shells are all cylindrical. Mainly I'll try to hold them where they are, but with all the missing parts put back on. My cousin removed the lower hoops and heads, and subsequently lost them as well as some other important hardware (like the front hoop of the bass, and all the claws and rods). Unboxing and looking at them sort of broke my heart. I found correct claws and rods for it, BUT the 22"X 1 5/8" wide hoop is proving far more elusive. I am thankful the Leedy snare needs nothing but cleaning and polishing. Again, thank you all for a very pleasant time here!

Josh

Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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