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Pictures Of Original Bonham Toms

Posts: 126 Threads: 44

I have not been on the forum for a while. Sorry I have not been here to answer questions. I am also sorry that people were arguing over a lot of this and calling each other names.

At the time I listed the TRUE ORIGINAL BONHAM DRUMS a guy on EBay was trying to sell chrome-covered steel marching drums as "Bonham" toms. I told him that he was being misleading. Nobody bought the drums anyway. While in Pro PErcussion in Atlanta, I saw the re-issue chrome covered steel "Bonham Drums" and began talking to someone about them. He talked about the Ludwig stainless drums of the 1970's and told me they were all "Bonham" series, no matter what size. I went home and found the drums I have had packed away for about 10-15 years (my wife bought at a yard sale) and checked the serial numbers against Ludwig bade records. My chrome-covered steel drums were from the years that they issues the drums that Bonham played. Since I saw people selling the EXACT same floor tom on EBay, one going for $700, I came to the conclusion that mine were Bonham. NOT DRUMS THAT WERE OWNED BY BONHAM- I truly apologize if anyone got that impression, I did not mean to imply that at all.

Now I have been told by someone on another forum that I am being dishonest because Bonham never played 8X12. Well I will do more research and, if these are NOT Bonham, I will not sell as such. I have never knowingly ripped anyone off in any of my online dealings and do not want to do so unknowingly either.

If anyone knows that these are not Bonham, please advise me where to verify this information. I had a 9X13, but sold it to a collector in Japan for $300. The reissue last year had whet looked like an 8X12, but I could have been wrong.

The serial numbers on the drums date them in the years the original "Bonham" sets were made. EVerything I have read, so far, makes me believe that Ludwig offered several sizes of stainless steel toms for their sets of that vintage. Were they all called "Bonham?" Were they simply called "Ludwig chrome over steel drums" or some other name. I will keep searching for information and maybe even write Ludwig. IF I AM WRONG ABOUT THESE - I TRULY APOLOGIZE THAT I HAVE POSTED MISINFORMATION. Personally, I never liked the "ping" of steel toms and basses, but that's just me!

Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 3972 Threads: 180

No sweat. The "discussions" were for posterity and not directed at you. The fact is, Bonham did play an Octaplus kit, so he did play the 12 inch tom (and most other sizes). Now, he did not play that kit live and that's where the discussions become dicey. No worries on your part. A couple of the more passionate lads were just trying to sort out specifics on a specific kit. It was a wooden kit and not the steel one. You drums look very nice. I'm sure someone would love to own them. You should do well on your sell. Take care!

Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 187 Threads: 7

From mcjnic

No sweat. The "discussions" were for posterity and not directed at you. The fact is, Bonham did play an Octaplus kit, so he did play the 12 inch tom (and most other sizes). Now, he did not play that kit live and that's where the discussions become dicey. No worries on your part. A couple of the more passionate lads were just trying to sort out specifics on a specific kit. It was a wooden kit and not the steel one. You drums look very nice. I'm sure someone would love to own them. You should do well on your sell. Take care!

However the Octa-Plus kit was a Vistalite, and he never did Zep gigs with it. In fact, there were only a few pics ever taken of him playing it as he didn't take to it all that much.

The sizes he's famous for are as follows: a 14 inch or 15 inch rack tom, 16 and 18 floor toms and a 26 inch kick. He used TWO 26 inch kicks for a VERY short while back with his original Maple keystone badge kit.

However, that being said, the fact that Bonham used a stainless kit AT ALL has made the Stainless stuff very desirable, sizes are not so much the issue for selling as SOMEONE will like that size. He was also instrumental in popularizing the Vistalite sets because of his using them. An amber kit usually gets more money as it's the color he chose to use with Zep.

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Posted on 15 years ago
#3
Posts: 1118 Threads: 30

From vibeguy56

I came to the conclusion that mine were Bonham. NOT DRUMS THAT WERE OWNED BY BONHAM- I truly apologize if anyone got that impression, I did not mean to imply that at all.

I have a Gene Krupa snare, so I understand the problematic nomenclature issue...

1970 Ludwig Downbeat
1965 Ludwig Hollywood
1970 Ludwig Jazzette
Posted on 15 years ago
#4
Posts: 14 Threads: 2

Funny, I inquired about these drums, and you said they were sold...

Posted on 15 years ago
#5
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