No. But I am familiar with the Wilson Sisters. Actually, I think the Wilson Bros. were a smaller group that put instruments together. I don't know much at all about them. Just that I've heard of them. Sorry. Some of these other guys are seriously deeper than me. They will most likely assist. Can I ask "why"? If you have a chance to score some, do you have pics or soundfiles? What's the asking?

Wow... 46 views and one reply. Okay, so they are rare then - LOL!!!

Pics are small and blurry. Kit consists of a Wilson Bros. Kick and Snare (both wood) and a Leedy tom (converted from a marching drum). They appear to match in color and are "playable" according to the owner. Few missing parts on the tom, but the kick and snare are complete.

The owner guesses that they are from the 1920's and the look/hardware seems to agree with that, from what I can see in the small, blurry pictures.

Asking price is $200.00 - I'm thinking more like $100.00 - $150.00 unless the drums are really in superb condition.

Get a nice close look at 'em. If the shells look good, you really can't go wrong in the 100-200 range. We would love some pics of these. Good job locating them.

Pic is terrible, but here it is.

[IMG]http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1830/wilsonbros.jpg[/IMG]

Dark too... hard to tell much from the pic. Might go and see them in person. The owner doesn't volunteer much info when asked.

Hey Big Daddy,

There is a mention of the Wilson Bros Company in 'George Way's little black book' or whatever it's called that Rob Cook published way back when. I can look it up if you want. My understanding is that they were a contemporary of Ludwig briefly in the 1910s or so. I don't think that they were as well made as Ludwigs, Leedys, Duplex, etc however. Not sure how playable these would be by modern standards but they might make cool collector pieces - especially if they are complete. Keep us posted!

-Lee

I take that back, it's in the Slingerland Book quoting George Way from a 1932 business proposal. Here goes:

"The Wilson Drum Company of Chicago went out of business in 1928. Mr Wilson was formerly a workman for the old Lyon and Healy drum department, which he bought out about 1915. Lack of original ideas and business ability was the cause of final failure. However, in 1926 his business undoubtedly totaled $50,000 to $60,000."

Guess that at least places any Wilson drum between about 1915 - 1926. Cool stuff!

-Lee

Thanks for that info Lee. I haven't gone to see the drums yet, been busy. If they are still around, I might try and get a peek next week.

I'm into players drums, not museum pieces, so if they can't be gigged or even used for recording, I'll likely pass on them. No room in my house for "Displays"!!

I would guess that they are solid steam bent shells, don't think they were doing plys back then??? That kick is probably a marching drum. They probably sound great.

Look carefully at the "roundness" of the shells. Some of these worked themselves out of round through the years. Single ply in the early days ... you have to watch. Some were better than others. Again, look closely at that.