A few retired Ludwig marchers

That Oriental Band unit is a great piece. Brilliant colors.

How did you manage to get Ringo's signature?

Ringo's signature was part of the deal. Only 15 Starrfest drums produced. Gary Astridge (Ringo's drum historian) has a photo poster of Ringo's original 1963 Jazzfest that has a genuine Ringo signature as well. Proceeds from the sale of both go to the Lotus Foundation, established by Ringo and his wife Barbara.

I was a Captain with American Airlines and was lucky enough to fly Ringo and his wife to/from London several years ago. I always carried a pair of Ringo Signature Drum sticks (Zildjian) in my suitcase, and he played them on his lap!

It was quite a thrill to meet - and talk drums - with the guy who inspired me to take up the drums, after watching the Feb 1964 Ed Sullivan show.

Several months later, he and his wife were on my flight again! I walked back to First Class, holding those Signature drum sticks in the Ringo "peace sign" fashion, and he said "Oh, it's you again."

I'm sure he gets sick of every fan wanting a piece of him, so to speak. But he seems pleasant to everyone, keeps a low profile, but doesn't try to hide from fans.

I had other famous drummers/musicians on my flights out of LAX and ORD, but Ringo two times was the best! Kept hoping Paul McCartney would show up sometime before I was retired, but I think he flies on private chartered jets.

Regards, MB

What a great story Marty

Thanks Dan, It really is in nice condition it came with it's own hard leather case that too is super clean

As Kenwwod said, great story Marty. thanks for adding that in, and nice to know that he was gracious to you and seems to be to many people. I'm with you on him being a large part of an initial interest in drumming.

I suspect it was a great comfort to him to realize the captain was a drummer - two places were Good Timin' is critical! A meeting with McCartney would be nice too, given the name of the other band he was with.

I picked up this marching bass and snare this past winter

from some folks in Babylon Long Island they were part of a van load of similar shells

I wanted to try and build a kit from these two marchers without drilling into them for legs and mounts.

This is what I have so far. my friend Shawn supplied me with the 13"

I have the original hoops and twenty of the marching claws (24) total needed

But so far I have none of the rods.

Some generic t-rods work just barely with the random steel batter hoop being used here.

but are way too short to work with the original hoops.

Some of mine.

a few more