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FederalDrummerBoy wrote:
"As to the argument over NO MUFFLERS, congradulations, but was the drum on which you play constructed correctly ? More than likely, it is not accurately made. You made the argument over having 100% authentic gear but using modern music. Why don't you make sure that you hold your drum or gun to the same standard. Does your drum have the same weight as the originals, was it constructed the same way and with the same materials? You have correct rosewood sticks, but have you ever considered investing in a pair cocobolo sticks, which were about prevelent as rosewood? Is your drum steambent one ply made of birch, ash, maple, etc. and glued or nailed with two or three stranded linen or hemp ropes? Many authentic living historians, reenactors, or whatever you want to call yourself don't take the time to make sure that their intruments and weapons are of the same quality as their other uniform parts. "
Here is some information from source documents:
BOSTON DRUM MANUFACTORY, NO 81 CORNHILL, BOSTON.
SNARE DRUMS, made from the best of well seasoned Rock Maple, extra fine and clear Calf Skins, for both beating and snare heads, with best quality of Cords, Snares, Ears and Snare-fastners, and are in every respect first quality. strong and substantial. Also the same painted and ornamented with Coat of Arms of the United States, and with the arms of any State marked in gilt letters, “United States Volunteers,” or “Massachusetts Volunteers,” &c., with fine silver plated trimmings, fine linen cord. The usual size is 16 inches across the heads, and 12 inches high, (the regulation size). Also, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15½, 16½, 17, 17½, 18, 20. Also, BASS DRUMS, of 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 40 inches. Every Drum is warranted to give satisfaction in every respect.
Also, constantly on hand and for sale; single, by the doz. or in hundreds, a large assortment of DRUM HEADS, Extra fine and clear, and common Calf-skins, Goat-skins, and Sheep-skins, SNARES of different sizes and qualities. Plain and polished Brass, and line Silver plated Scare Fasteners, of the best make in the United States. Cords of Hemp and Flax, and made of fine Linen Shoe thread. EARS, Sticks of Ebony, Rose-wood, Cocoa-wood, Leopard-wood, &c. &c. Bass Drum Sticks, (wound and covered with Buck-skin), Drum-Slings or belts, with or without Carriages (for holding sticks); Bass Drum Slings, Air hole cushings, &c. Drums repaired at short notice. INDIA RUBBER DRUM COVERS, (to remain on when beat in rainy weather). Fifes, Fife Mouthpieces with Screws, ....Address Boston Drum Manufactory, Elias Howe, Agent."
HOWE'S UNITED STATES REGULATION DRUM AND FIFE INSTRUCTOR:
" Different kinds of woods are used; mostly of Maple, Ash, Oak, Beach, Spruce, and Black-walnut is well seasoned Rock-maple is decidedly the best, The heads used are usually calf, goat or sheepskins.
The Regulation Drums of the United States are made of Ash, sixteen inches across the heads, the shells are twelve or, thirteen inches high, the beating head of calfskin, the snare head of sheepskin; nine or ten holes in each hoop, hemp cord and snares, but without snare fastners. The sticks are sixteen or seventeen inches long, of cocoa or rosewood; the slings or belts are of white webbing, two or two and one half inches wide, with brass carriages as sheaths for the sticks."
Does anyone know of a maker who currently makes a quality, authentic reproduction drum?
Will Chappell
"As to the argument over NO MUFFLERS, congradulations, but was the drum on which you play constructed correctly ? More than likely, it is not accurately made. You made the argument over having 100% authentic gear but using modern music. Why don't you make sure that you hold your drum or gun to the same standard. Does your drum have the same weight as the originals, was it constructed the same way and with the same materials? You have correct rosewood sticks, but have you ever considered investing in a pair cocobolo sticks, which were about prevelent as rosewood? Is your drum steambent one ply made of birch, ash, maple, etc. and glued or nailed with two or three stranded linen or hemp ropes? Many authentic living historians, reenactors, or whatever you want to call yourself don't take the time to make sure that their intruments and weapons are of the same quality as their other uniform parts. "
Here is some information from source documents:
BOSTON DRUM MANUFACTORY, NO 81 CORNHILL, BOSTON.
SNARE DRUMS, made from the best of well seasoned Rock Maple, extra fine and clear Calf Skins, for both beating and snare heads, with best quality of Cords, Snares, Ears and Snare-fastners, and are in every respect first quality. strong and substantial. Also the same painted and ornamented with Coat of Arms of the United States, and with the arms of any State marked in gilt letters, “United States Volunteers,” or “Massachusetts Volunteers,” &c., with fine silver plated trimmings, fine linen cord. The usual size is 16 inches across the heads, and 12 inches high, (the regulation size). Also, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15½, 16½, 17, 17½, 18, 20. Also, BASS DRUMS, of 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 40 inches. Every Drum is warranted to give satisfaction in every respect.
Also, constantly on hand and for sale; single, by the doz. or in hundreds, a large assortment of DRUM HEADS, Extra fine and clear, and common Calf-skins, Goat-skins, and Sheep-skins, SNARES of different sizes and qualities. Plain and polished Brass, and line Silver plated Scare Fasteners, of the best make in the United States. Cords of Hemp and Flax, and made of fine Linen Shoe thread. EARS, Sticks of Ebony, Rose-wood, Cocoa-wood, Leopard-wood, &c. &c. Bass Drum Sticks, (wound and covered with Buck-skin), Drum-Slings or belts, with or without Carriages (for holding sticks); Bass Drum Slings, Air hole cushings, &c. Drums repaired at short notice. INDIA RUBBER DRUM COVERS, (to remain on when beat in rainy weather). Fifes, Fife Mouthpieces with Screws, ....Address Boston Drum Manufactory, Elias Howe, Agent."
HOWE'S UNITED STATES REGULATION DRUM AND FIFE INSTRUCTOR:
" Different kinds of woods are used; mostly of Maple, Ash, Oak, Beach, Spruce, and Black-walnut is well seasoned Rock-maple is decidedly the best, The heads used are usually calf, goat or sheepskins.
The Regulation Drums of the United States are made of Ash, sixteen inches across the heads, the shells are twelve or, thirteen inches high, the beating head of calfskin, the snare head of sheepskin; nine or ten holes in each hoop, hemp cord and snares, but without snare fastners. The sticks are sixteen or seventeen inches long, of cocoa or rosewood; the slings or belts are of white webbing, two or two and one half inches wide, with brass carriages as sheaths for the sticks."
Does anyone know of a maker who currently makes a quality, authentic reproduction drum?
Will Chappell
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