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Totally unique "Soistman" drum set, interesting construction

Posts: 9 Threads: 2

This is my first post in this forum - hello all. I signed up because I want to show this community something and see if i can dig up any new information. Yesterday I got my hands on a really old, cool, funky, and quite possibly totally unique kit. These drums were made by Charles "Buck" Soistman, whose main interest was field drums, built some of the finest around in the middle 20th century. This might possibly be the only drum set he ever created, built for a friend and US Army band drummer Sam Evans. I have been playing drums for 25 years and collecting for 10, and I have never encountered shell construction like this. Seems to be 3 ply birch/mahogany with extra 3-ply sections under where hardware is mounted, and around the top and bottom, then with solid rerings glued in as well. Mostly Ludwig/WFL hardware, original calf skin head on the front kick in good shape. This set is seriously cool, lots of mojo...so, does anybody here know anything else about its history or if there are more sets out these like it?

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_175929_zpsbw0jpn7s.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_180030_zps4nngcgrj.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 8 years ago
#1
Posts: 9 Threads: 2

More photos

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_175953_zpskzhixhvs.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_180928_zps2tzzxqhs.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_181354_zpszxzmcc76.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_180809_zpsolbzt5g2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_181242_zpsv1zz5hvd.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_180935_zpsfdvqken8.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 8 years ago
#2
Posts: 9 Threads: 2

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_180411_zpsytex7ghk.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_180227_zpsfhgnniaq.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_180114_zpsrgw0ibsi.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h334/Aaron_Faust/20160329_180002_zpsl8vcpdpk.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 8 years ago
#3
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Very Cool kit, thank you for the copy to the history of the drums. !

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 8 years ago
#4
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

A really unique kit! I'm very impressed with the quality of workmanship! I've no doubt they sound as good as they look!

Also... Welcome to the forum!

-Mark

Posted on 8 years ago
#5
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226

Welcome to the VDF!!

Yes, I agree...Beautiful drums!!

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 8 years ago
#6
Posts: 2023 Threads: 47

Buck was not messing around when he made these shells! So impressive, and beautiful!

Rims - Gretsch die cast on snare top, Rogers on snare bottom and top/bottom of rack tom, Kent on floor tom is my guess.....I like to guess about rims, I guess.

Mitch

Posted on 8 years ago
#7
Posts: 1880 Threads: 292

Look at that caramel finish on those beauties..They must sound just as sweet ! ;)

Posted on 8 years ago
#8
Posts: 23 Threads: 0

I have never seen a kit like that - thanks for posting! The top hoop on the FT is a Camco COB; I can't quite tell what is on the bottom from the photos.

How do the drums sound?

Posted on 8 years ago
#9
Posts: 9 Threads: 2

I have not yet had a chance to put new heads on and try them out so I can't really comment on the sound yet, however just tapping on them with the old heads it seems like they are going to be highly resonant. The original calf skin head on the kick is in good shape and sounds great, can't wait to get a good batter head on there and try it out. I knew some of the hoops weren't Ludwig/WFL - the two hoops on the FT match and I almost thought they were die-cast at first, they are heavy - COB makes sense. I don't think the rail mount or cymbal holder are Ludwig either, and the tom is almost impossible to mount with the rail being so low, I will probably just stick it on a snare stand or put a RIMS mount on it. Thanks for the responses, I am trying to get in touch with some of the folks that knew these two gentlemen through the North VA Patriots Facebook page, apparently Sam Evans was the founder of this group and worked a lot with children. I'm sure there is somebody out there that would like to know these drums are still around and still being enjoyed.

Posted on 8 years ago
#10
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