 Hello and welcome to the drum history podcast. I'm your host Bart van der Zee and today I'm joined by Joe Bartlett from wood and weather drum shop Joe welcome to the podcast a bart. Thanks for having me Yeah, it's good to have you here man. This is I like doing the ones about shops Because I've done a few I did Nelson drum shop and I guess that's really it so far so you're kind of on a short list of of of shop related episodes, which I hope to do more but We've met I think a few times at the drum shows over the years, which is always a pleasure But you've built really kind of a cool vibe I think that's a big part of making a drum store nowadays is like I don't know It's different than like guitar center and things like that obviously you kind of have to have your like your your personality comes through through social media and through pictures because Online ordering and stuff. It's really your your face of the shop is online So lots of stuff to talk about with that, but before we start why don't we just hear more about you and In your background a little bit and then how you started a drum shop because you're a young guy You said you're 30, right? Yeah, just this past December. Okay It's pretty cool to think about like starting a business and having a shop and you really you The shop isn't like really brand-new like you've been doing it for a while So yeah, let's just jump in here and maybe tell us about your background and what led to starting a drum shop at a young age So I guess it probably would have started when I started playing the drums age 14 And then kind of just from there I played consistently throughout my life and it wasn't until maybe I was 18 or 19 that I found my first vintage set Up until then I was kind of just playing whatever my you know Favorite drummers of the time were playing whether it be like a custom set or or whatnot But yeah, I stumbled across a crazy deal on Craigslist for this like 63 blue sparkle Ludwig kit that I think it had been in a fire the super phonic that came with it was like black and I Don't know what spoke to me about it, but maybe it was just something new for me And it was you know, it was only like a couple hundred bucks You know back then on Craigslist stuff would just sit there for that price So yeah, I got that kit and spent a lot of time with it and You know went through it cleaned it all up and I guess that was like, you know, it sparked something in me I think as a younger kid I was always like into Legos and like building stuff and like working with my dad in the garage and whatnot so I think you know when I got my hands into that kit it just like brought back this feeling and Also like when I got the kit done and I set it up and played it I just like never heard anything like it, you know playing modern drums for the past You know decade and a half So it just like changed my mind and kind of spiraled from there and became like collecting and collecting and Yeah, and now you're here and now you're here and which I will hear about the shop too But like really like I don't know if things are different when you work on something It's just different. You know what I mean when your hands are on something and it's just It means more than just like buying a drum set and the fact that it's vintage I mean you're obviously a primarily vintage shop, but you have newer stuff. I mean you obviously sell a lot of things, but So you got into that but what What what made you want to start a drum shop because obviously you don't go from having one kind of Restored drum kit to being a business owner. There's got to be something in between there. Yeah So I guess from there it it kind of just accumulated it became collecting and then it became You know attending the drum shows Meeting different collectors and whatnot and then just like you know at this point I was living in a really small apartment and then you know one of the two bedrooms was floor-to-ceiling drums so At some point I was I was starting to sell them and it and it started as a lot of local people coming by and I made a lot of relationships that way and then it started to you know become Oh, there's these forums and I'm meeting all these people in these forums and and those people are wanting the drums and You know, I think I'm a bit blessed being in New England There's a lot of music and a lot of makers around here. So I think we're just like really flushed with some really cool drums so It just kind of became this thing where I was starting to sell drums and it just Became, you know took over my life to the point where I quit my day job at the time to just try it You know, I was just you know wanted to try something new I was still playing in bands and touring and stuff like that So it was something nice that you know didn't have a strict schedule. Yeah I mean you probably I'm assuming you feel the same way I do where like from playing in bands and being the Drummer where we all know that we're like I mean like physically we're always kind of in the back Even with the writing usually we're kind of in the you know the back of it But like like it's your baby. You know what I mean? Like you have built it and I feel the same way with this stuff of like You know, you've grown it you've created it. You are the brand. You're the face of it. Yeah. Yeah, it's exciting And it's nice to like, you know, it's a good way to meet other people that are passionate about this kind of stuff, too Yeah, which there's no shortage of I can attest to that from being at the drum shows It's like I mean you just got to like it can be a little intimidating at first to like step into even from being like longtime drummers to step into that world of like Collectors and people who know so much. Yeah, I think if you go in open-minded and like ready to learn that like people young and old Are happy to and people who like I mean there's guys who are like wearing button-down shirts And who are older successful businessmen down to like Young tattooed ruffians who are walking around and like in Crocs Especially the Crocs you got to watch out for that No, but like it's just this we should we have a shared passion, you know Yeah, totally and I think it's you know, meeting a lot of those people is kind of what you know Kept me inspired to it. So that's why I think the drum shows are super important, too You know, yeah, and you said about collecting in Massachusetts and New England. It's like There's you guys just have older stuff not just drums But like right it's just an older part of the country where there is just so much more historical Items to be found. Yeah And I don't think I realize that for a long time, but you know It's it's the visiting people that kind of remind me of it. They're like, oh, there's you know, especially we have a lot of Surrounding towns that were built around water. So there's a lot of these old like, you know 1800s 1900s buildings that were you know powered by water and You know, everyone's like, oh look at these cool buildings and I've you know I've seen them my whole life. So it's not anything new and maybe nothing. I like paid too much mine, too Yeah, but it's sure, you know, and there's stuff kind of, you know, I meet other collectors of other things just Inherently from dealing with the vintage thing. So it's like you meet all these people that, you know, maybe they collect vintage rugs or couches or motorcycles or radios and it's There's no shortage of any of that stuff around here. So it's cool to kind of like see a little bit of everything around Yeah, for sure All right, so you had your apartment full then what what was the jump from like, you know Selling drums out of your apartment to like a brick-and-mortar shop. You said you were doing the shows You were collecting you were I'm sure it's like the classic like filling your car up going selling things coming home with the car Just as full with different stuff because I'll say on social media and stuff You kind of post your like you're like haul that you got, you know, and like it's just awesome I mean, there's so much stuff that you're getting so Which those are two separate things we can talk about but what what led to you getting a brick-and-mortar shop So for me, I think it was a combination of a few things growing up around here. There wasn't really like there was music stores and You know, not everywhere has like a drum specific store But I think it was a combination of not having something inspiring for a music store in the area and then Traveling to other stores, you know, like drum center Portsmouth or or revival or pro drum and experiencing these places and You know Wishing that I had something like that growing up in this area So it was a combination of of inspiration and also like filling something that I thought was a void. I mean, that's like What like I don't know with like businesses. It's like that's a great reason to do something It's like well, it's not here. I want it to be here other people will probably want it to be here So I'll do it but I mean, it's not super easy though to like, you know, taxes and Inventory and pricing and employees and stuff like that. Have you Did you kind of take to that pretty easily or did you find yourself getting a lot of a lot of learning? Yeah, and I'm still figuring it out. It's like, you know, I'll tell everyone first It's like I'm a drummer first and I and a collector and I like working on them. It's The business side of things that I am like mm-hmm. I have a great great accountant and That keeps me sleeping at night. Yeah And great employees too. So everyone's understanding as we're all figuring it out together, but you know Yeah, drums are always first and foremost. So I'm kind of always in that zone So when it comes time to do like business stuff, I'm always like Ripping my hair out kind of and yeah It's a part of it, you know, it can't all be fun and drums But no because it could seriously just like it could ruin your business to not correctly do it And have too much fun with the drumming but it's smart to delegate to someone who like who knows what it is because you're I mean having a business like a really like a store is different than like I don't know kind of collecting on the side or doing online sales. It's like you're you're on the radar Mm-hmm of like the government Yeah, it's not all just like cash deals and yeah, no receipts Yeah, yeah, what year did you start the shop? Mm-hmm So I started As this as like my official job in 2015 But I don't think I officially called it like a shop for another couple of years So technically that we've been like an LLC for five years. Okay In our sixth now Wow So Yeah, the first iteration after the apartment was We were in like an industrial park at a few towns over Kind of like a You know, one of these buildings that we were just talking about earlier is a five-story building built in like The turn of the century and you know a lot of old wood and old brick And and that was the first iteration of like it being a brick and mortar. Yep Yep, which I mean I have been in since 2013 a big hundred thousand square foot music space in downtown Cincinnati Which was like a carriage factory and then they made like reeds there and they made Baseball gloves and and just it is but there's so many problems that come with that where there's no heat There's no AC this is like like music space for like rehearsals or artists, but um, but it's like everything's cracking all the time There's like lead paint all over the place. So Problems come with that which I'm sure yours was probably more updated than the one I've But a little bit it was it had heat in the winter, which is beautiful Yeah, a lack of air conditioning in this in the summer and being on the fifth floor It would get kind of hot up there Luckily we had these windows that were just like floor to ceiling and they would just pop open So we would just have all those open and it kept it cool enough in there And some dehumidifiers and stuff just for the drums themselves. Yeah, definitely like, you know old lead paint You know, yep pipes running across everywhere Leaks or anything, but yeah, super old building. Yeah, that's what they they say though is it's not the heat that gets yet That it's the humidity Especially with music with music gear, I'm sure that stuff you've learned I know Especially with all these old drums with the calf heads and stuff like that. Oh, yeah, you're a little pop and it's like So social media, I mean in our in five years ago, it's not like something where it's like you started this 20 years ago And social media didn't really exist. So it's always been a thing Did you know right off the bat how important it is for your business? Or did that kind of grow as you go, you know as you went? I think I realized it right away It was definitely a different beast then than it is now and I think The growth of all of it is kind of weird timing, you know It was almost like still early with you know, let's say Instagram and stuff like that. Yeah, so I think it's still being like Kind of a fresh thing I think it really helped a lot with myself and others that were kind of doing similar things at the time Yeah, yeah, cuz I mean if it's early and I'm looking at yours right now like if it's if it's early enough, I don't know it's less like saturated where I Think now there's a lot of awesome shops that are out there, but Everyone's on social media It's it's almost like like my brother does a lot of like art like painting and stuff like that and it's like it's hard for like that world to like stick out on social media because Everyone's kind of posting the same thing so I've been trying to help them figure out what to do It's similar with drums where it's like, you know, a lot of shops have the same It's like we all have vintage gear. We all have symbols We all have nice cameras. We everyone has a nice camera the phone. That's like super nice 2022 it's like so much. It's easy to make like really cool content not easy, but yeah a little bit more achievable I think that it was Even just five years ago and I think you know kind of going back to that. I think it was like at least for me I had never like seen much of like people selling through Instagram and like social media and stuff like that Yeah, so it seemed kind of like a new thing and and it was working and It was an interesting way to meet a lot especially like younger Because I guess when I started collecting and stuff like that it and inherently was a lot of you know older guys Which was great because the knowledge was there But it took me a while to find people like around, you know, my age that we're collecting and I think that I think I credit social media after that. I would agree. I think I don't know I think it's gone away, but there was maybe still is a little bit of connotation with like, you know Social media is so like dumb and things like that but like Like parents would say that but it's like well if you're into something you'll find that like if you like football You'll find football stuff. If you like gardening you'll find gardening stuff It's just where you can like go to be with other like-minded people But I do I do think that the benefit to getting out there and going to shops and going to the drum shows It's just It's there's such a big difference from just talking to people online. You kind of need both Yeah, I mean we get it all the time if I get someone traveling in Well, they're like, you know, I followed you forever on Instagram and you know, they're happy to be here and then when they walk in They're like this doesn't you know Instagram doesn't do it justice. Yeah I'm glad but I'm also sometimes I'm like, hmm. I like wonder how I could make it look how people see it Yeah, but I also am like, oh, that's a good thing because then I guess if they're talking to someone else I can be like, oh, it's like wait, it's better or exceeds expectations rather. Yeah Yeah, which is good because if they're saying good things about the Instagram and then it exceeds that I'm doing a good job I guess yeah, I don't know. There's like there's like a There's a different Like your senses are engaged when you actually go somewhere. We all know that but like the smell the vent exactly You can like you can touch it and you can like talk to you a little bit more personally because I think we're all It's different getting an Instagram message or an email versus physically talking to someone in person or even on the phone where it's like And in your case as a drum seller You know, it's like it's cooler to be like, yeah, I bought this I bought this at wooden weather You know, and it's like this is like from the actual shop and I was there and I got a story to tell about this Particular drum, you know So 2015 I mean man to have a drum shop running for that long is pretty impressive. Has it been? Smooth sailing or did COVID hit you pretty hard or did you kind of do more online at that point? Obviously, I would imagine Yeah, I mean, we were kind of always heavy online Which I love it, you know, we've always had the local people and we've always had people travel in but COVID actually, you know, there was some silver lining to it where Kind of in the midst of it was when we moved to this new location So there was you know, we weren't allowed to be open anyway. So we had all this time With the doors closed to get this shop, you know up and running and build walls and paint and build shelving So we had all this downtime That we would have been down for anyway, but it was kind of like a Good excuse to have the door locked, I guess. Yeah lack of better way of explaining it, you know Yeah, I mean COVID is terrible for so many reasons But I think if there was a lot of ways to like benefit from the time Which obviously you did, you know What would you any advice you would give to folks who are like Not to be like giving your competition ideas or But like, you know, if people are like selling some because I've actually talked to a lot of people on Instagram Who sell some drums and they've got like an online drum shop I don't know any advice for your people who kind of have it as a hobby That you would say like how to take it to the next level That's a good question You know, I think the the main thing I think is just keeping it authentic, you know regardless It's easy to take influence and Maybe turn it into something that's a little bit too close to the original And sometimes it happens unintentionally, but I think it's just like, you know saying true to yourself and you know putting out a vibe that You know, it's just true to you. I think that's the best thing I can say and kind of how I've Run this place is just, you know, I've always gravitated towards things I like and Curated in that way. Yeah, and you know, that's totally that's how I've always done it Do you find that you because you've been doing it for a while and like Bryson Nelson's been doing it for a long time Do you find that you see? I Don't want to say copycat but like that there's been like inspiration of a certain aesthetic of drum shops that has popped up that is like kind of Like leather and like dark woods and kind of that vintage feel that's like Spread across a lot of shops where again, you were really early with it where it's it's become a bit of a style With drum shops, which is inevitable. I mean, what are your thoughts on on that? I think it comes with the territory of like vintage anything and you know, there's There's times where it seems that way But it's it's not a new idea. Yeah You know, there's a million thrift stores around here and in coffee shops and and and what have you That you walk in and they have the same stuff and it's like it's it's barnwood. It's leather It's you know, copper stuff like that. Yeah, it's inherently It's it's a popular style. So when you're dealing with like a vintage Instrument that you know that style lends well to that instrument, you know this 1930s drum that's mahogany and it's you know, it's all got a dirty nickel all over it It looks beautiful next to this like Chesterfield sofa. It's like totally it kind of goes hand-in-hand so I don't know. I think it's just inspiration and It's hard to claim something like that when it's such like, you know Any second hand in a vintage kind of world that's like a popular style, you know, I totally There's been like a point where you know That I think I agree with you that it's a popular thing now And I've gotten rid of almost all of my leather stuff here. So Just like I mean, it's painted the walls red. We painted the walls green. They're blue We're getting like a new big red sign. We're kind of just going into color blocky. Cool You know, it's just as you can see You know, yeah, like loud like different it's just it's myself translated into a drum shop and You know, every one style changes over the years So, you know a few years ago the leather and and and all the old stuff kind of fit in and You know was wearing old jeans and stuff like that and now it's like a little bit different So yeah, it just kind of changes with with you know for me personally changes with myself Sure. And in five years, it'll look like an Apple store with like one drum It's coming dude because I have like way too much stuff here. So the next generation is yeah one drum Yes, exactly. This is the drum I'm offering today. Yeah. Welcome to my store. Here's the drum. Here's the drum Yeah, it is literally a drum shop But like I do think it's cool though Like I am I've always been obsessed with like flea markets and antique stores and just finding stuff and like, you know You obviously are it or you're there you find stuff that are beyond just drums So I think it's cool also to like have shops where like you can have like little like I affectionately call them knickknacks or something just like cool vintage stuff around a shop that like It's a good way to like showcase your personality like you said where you can like and even like the logos and T-shirts and things like that. There's a lot of ways to like Express who you are through your shop. And I think that's the just just the how you really Connect with people like authentic. It's just being authentic you so I think that comes across really well Oh, yeah, thank you. And I think you know, I tell people all the time It's kind of like a big art project to me, you know personally especially, you know, designing shirts and you know laying out the floor and You know painting and all this and that it's it's it's a big vision rather than just like hey We're just selling drums like by them on Craigslist with them. It's like it's kind of a bigger picture, you know Yeah, yeah, how do you deal with like time management because you have a daughter which how old is your daughter now? You turn two today. Oh Like a dad here. I am at work. Yes You are in for it's about to get wild. Let me tell you my friend. She's there, but time management. How do you deal with that? Good question. I don't know if I do I You know, I try to have breakfast with my family every morning and get to the shop by 10 sometimes a little bit earlier And it's just kind of head down from there first priority is kind of always shipping and and emails and stuff like that boring stuff and You know take a little breaks throughout the day to play the drums too because sure part of it little release And also, you know, a lot of people just like to know how stuff sounds. So it's yeah It's nice to keep myself acquainted with a lot of this stuff But other than that I have you know, a really really great Shop manager here that helps out a lot with that. He's on a little bit better of a schedule than I am So he keeps us a little bit more on track while I'm just like, you know running around like chicken with my head cut off You know, like the other day I drove to like York, Pennsylvania In one day like they're in back spent the whole day like left at 4 a.m. Got back at 1 a.m. like Whole day and then come in the next day, and I'm like Can't even think straight, but you know my shop guy calling is kind of just like Keeping me in line making sure getting the stuff done that then easing it down and making sure that Customers are taking care of and stuff. Awesome. What did you get on that trip? A lot? That's like my most recent post that it's You know, like maybe 10 sets or something like that. Wow Do you like kind of plan out like line up with people in a particular town? Like like I'm coming this day and like searching. I don't give away your secrets, right? Are you like searching? Like in that town and lining things up or you go into thrift stores or how's that work? So sometimes it all it takes is like one or two to kind of like start the trip So, you know, I'll use this one for an example. So this last one I had two kits to go get in York. So From there, I reach out to a couple people, you know collectors other, you know Smaller shops and stuff like that and just see if people are around and then from there, you know I usually line up a couple so at least it's you know, there's a few things that I'm getting But either way the trip is to York. So it's like if that's the only destination. That's it Like that was the plan So from there, yeah it's I guess doing the normal stuff Marketplace and Craigslist and stuff like that which are a lot harder to do ahead of time Especially nowadays, there's a lot of hobbyists and you know, people that like to flip drums people that like to play them So it's hard to like Compete I guess ahead of time a lot of good deals and stuff is usually day of or or whatnot So and sometimes it's feeling people out too, but yeah Yeah, it's a it's a mixture of planning and and free form Sure. I mean and you like With your job like you have to get a good deal Like on the drums for there to be like meat on the bone to sell it to like you're like making a living at it So I'm sure you run into people who don't really understand that and are asking like retail prices For the drum set, but you can't be paying what you're you can't make $30 on a drum set that you just drove all night for Yeah, so sometimes it there's like a little bit of explaining and Most of the time if something's out of like the range that it would work for me I won't even entertain it or won't even bother the person. It's like I'm not Here to like talk them down too much and sometimes with like the higher price stuff where maybe it's been sitting for a while I'll approach the person and be like hey if You know down the road if you want to take less like here's what we could offer You know, it's something that our shop specializes in so sometimes it's a little bit easier. Yeah to move especially You know for some people I think it's like You know, you don't not everyone wants to just buy a drum set from Joe Schmoe or whoever like you don't know What's inside of it? You don't know if everything's accurate if there's any like credibility like On the other side of like you get the drums and then you open it up and the insides torched and you're like, well You know, so there's something too like Getting from like a store. Yeah, we've already gone through this stuff. And yeah, so there's a little bit more security I think buying from from someone within us. Oh, totally. No, yeah Have you had the experience that you hear about it where someone's like? I'm sure there's now better ways again with cell phones. You can snap a picture but like Where someone says like an older lady or something says like oh, I've got a Ludwig drum set, but in reality, it's a like You know Chinese With a Ludwig had had you run into that a fair amount It happens. I'll see it on Craigslist all the time and it's usually stuff that just like sits there Sometimes I'll try to educate but most of the time people just don't take it well. So I yeah, you know, let them let them live with it But it happens or it's like on the other side where you're like, oh, it's a You look on Craigslist and it's like Remo drum set or Evan's drum set. Yeah 60s Ludwig and it's like a hundred bucks or something, you know, yeah So there's like both. Yeah, that's awesome And sometimes you kind of feel like you need to like tell that person like you have a really good thing, but oh, yeah I'd also kind of be like Here's your hundred dollars So with yeah, and that's it so with that stuff You know, I wasn't always like this but I think in the beginning, you know, I would I would take the hundred dollar drum set and run but I think now that we're like Bigger we're bigger operation. We're definitely like commanding like a full price, you know So if something comes up, that's like a hundred bucks and it's a $1,500 drum set where I'm definitely like Giving more sure, you know, I might not give a thousand dollars But you know, maybe five it might be eight depends what it is It's kind of like a case-by-case thing But I always try to pay out like more if it's like if it's like a screaming deal like that It's just like karma, you know, I was just gonna say it It will come back to bite you later in some way if you're Around where it's like I'm doing that so then sometimes I've had it where the person, you know They're super appreciative and they're like I actually know someone else with a Drum set an old drum set to like let me call them and I'll see if I can like You know make that happen. So it's kind of like, you know It helps with that side of the karma where it's like, you know, if I hadn't paid up for that one They might have just the deal would have been done and then that's it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah for sure I feel like I know the answer is probably yes But do you still get the like the tingly happy feeling when you get just find something ultra rare I mean is it still just as exciting for you as it ever was to go hunting? Definitely. It's definitely I Get the feeling still it's just it's changed So it's it's rare stuff that takes it now, so I'm a little bit numb, I guess But it's not only rare stuff. So it's like rare or just interesting or oddly modified Anything like that is exciting like even if it's it doesn't even have to be that cool of a kid if it has like a really Interesting modification or maybe someone like redid it in like the 50s. So it's like, you know 70-year-old paint, but it's not original, but it's still like this crazy like, you know Illegal paint that probably would kill you nowadays Right, but it looks crazy, you know, and it and it's not original and it maybe isn't worth that much But it's just like a really cool piece just something different and unique So a lot of anything like that really, you know, is what keeps me going Yeah, it's interesting how that works with like a modification that was made super long ago is cool But something that was done in like 2010 not not well, you know I mean it kind of plays into like the time periods though because if so you got like a more recent modification It's probably you know, it depends I guess if it was professional But I feel like materials back, you know Back in the day where like you could buy that sketchy paint and it would look and it looks like, you know Of that era. So it kind of like still has that vibe still where today, you know, you find something repainted It probably was repainted with spray paint or something like that, you know, so it's a little bit I think it's like a quality thing, but yeah and like In general that patina has like Just made everything look like the same, right? Yeah, it brings it it brings it all together, right? Yeah, someone did like did a paint job just a few years ago But the lugs are still like pitted or or foggy or rusted or whatever then it's like sticks out like a sore thumb Yeah, for sure What would be your like Rarist, you know top three kind of things that you've found either drum set drum snare or any like symbols. What's your like? like your Absolute like happiest moment of like I can't believe I found this thing Good question. There's a few but Lately I recently just got this 2030s era Lady and it's a five by 14 and a 14 by 28 and They're in the finish called Jade green so it kind of looks like a Like a marble ish kind of finish in this like pale green color Yep Rare other what you know without anything else, but they're like new old stock so it's like It's silly like the front bass drum head has a painting on it and if you look at it up close It looks like it was done yesterday And it's just like the chrome is immaculate the wrap is crazy. It's just like It's you're in a time machine because this is what you walked into a store back then That's how you saw it. Yeah, which is kind of always, you know, I found I've had sets in the past that were clean You know, you find them every now and again like really clean stuff and you know 60 stuff more so But to find something like that, you know, almost new old stock. It's kind of crazy because I'm always like If I could go back in time and walk into a store like that just to see what all this stuff like looked like brand new Yeah, you know, because it's almost impossible to know because even if you clean it It's like, you know, that is maybe not what it looked like brand new like fresh, you know Yeah, shadow factory so that one is definitely like I Riding that high still Was it in was it from like someone's basement or like a shop that closed or that one came from a guy in Michigan? I got this snare from a friend in Brooklyn actually and so I just had this snare and then Just randomly one day buddy of mine sent me a screenshot of this guy posting the bass drum on on Facebook and I Didn't know that that existed at the time So I kind of had to like jump through a few hoops to get it but it they were the their original pair They just had gotten split up so they're both man is clean and I managed to get it a bass drum back here, so they're back paired together and You know, they're they're on my website too. So if you want to take a look at them, you know, some good pictures and Yeah, it's just cool to see. Yeah, I can't believe they were like separated and then came back together Yeah, I kind of it it was a lot of work, but I guess that's the exciting thing You know, it's like the hunt and like, you know reuniting and especially something that clean It's like a lot of people like to Separate those drums in that era the bass drums are always big And the snare drums are rare. So it's like How many 28 inch bass drums do you want in your basement or in your, you know drum room? Yeah, when you could just have like a wall of snares and it takes up this much room Yeah, and the snares are more like usable. Yeah, right to a bass drum with no no spurs or you know I feel like Mark Cooper would eat that up with his love of the green that the jade Totally, I think I posted it in some of those groups and those guys definitely liked it. That's awesome I mean it it is very special. I mean because everything even when you look at the old catalogs or like a Lot of things aren't even in color Some of those really early ones they're just hand-drawn so it's like you who knows what it looked like new Yeah, for sure. I've found though with like because like the hunt It's it's kind of it reminds me of like putting together an episode of the podcast that's taken Three years to get together and it finally happens and then you release it and then you're like like you've chased down these Drums and you've got them and then you just have to move on to the next one, right? You know, it's sort of a weird desire like I don't know It's like psychology where it's like, you know that like you're gonna be really into this and then at some point It's gonna be done and you're gonna have to move on to something else But like part of me is like that's life, you know, right? Yeah, I guess to get to get unfortunately I think I you know realize that more to of like, okay, what's the next thing when I Started to get more into like the Chicago drum show like perfect example Like our first year we just like brought a ton, but it was good stuff Like I look back at my first year picture. I'm like, I would love to have all this stuff It was like mod orange like red black oyster blue oyster everything, you know, just like everything it was sick but so then it's like I'm like, well, what am I gonna do next year that's better and So it became this thing where I sort of compete with myself of past years where I'm like, okay like this year was like top hat and cane and Slingerlin and abalone pearl like full set. So it's like You know, this is this was my fifth or sixth drum show So I'm like next year, I don't even know, you know, I'm gonna have to get I Got my work cut out for me, you know, so yeah, I mean those are like you can't Sometimes you're gonna hit a point of like I've hit the rarest drums in the world like yeah And I think with that it's like then then you get into that territory of like Famous drummers drum sets and that just yeah scares me because it's like silly money, you know, yeah Yeah, even like the rare stuff. I love it and it's so exciting but the money side of it is is always tough because I know they're the value is there but You know a drum set that's worth five figures is kind of Crazy. Yeah. Yeah, and then there's more like I Don't know. There's more like Responsibility, I don't know how really but like you just kind of like like I know the guys who deal in those like ultra rare celebrity kits and then you also open yourself up a lot to like Criticism and like feedback of like I can't believe this guy's charging this much, right? But then who's making the vow whose creed like it's worth what someone will pay for it, right, you know It's interesting very especially with the high dollar stuff. It's really Yeah, and then are they playing it? Do you play this ultra rare drum or do you just like I play the top hat set? Why not man? Where did you find that top hat cap? That's that's what I got from a collector out in Wisconsin Chuck Scalia Huh? Cool. That's awesome. We're doing good. Good shape and everything. Yeah, they're really good shape There's a couple little problems, but it has some provenance to it So it was the set that Ludwig used to scan the reissue. I think like the 90th anniversary maybe when they did all those snares the new snares And the top hat set Yeah, this was like the I call it the grandmother You know it birthed all these other jobs to reissue, you know, it's the one that's the actual one they scan So and it's everything catalog correct. I have the The salesman's binder. Oh Man from that set So I have this like leather bound binder like stamp Ludwig and Ludwig with the guy's name on it and like gold leaf And you open it up and it's the full catalog with like the top hat set and it and stuff Crazy, it's like one of a kind thing. So it's like How do you price it? I Think I have it low Yeah, well, I don't know who's gonna buy it. I don't know But I mean people can look and I'm sure I've I've over the years of doing this have just grown to like, you know Ask the question. What does something like that sell for? I'm sure people are curious So just from talking to other other sellers, especially those sellers that deal in that kind of price bracket Let's say Steve Maxwell, for example, because he's he's a good example because we've had these conversations about this drum set specifically There's actually like a couple other top hat sets available Don Bennett, I believe so I kind of just went off of him Because I believe he's sold a few in the past and I know Steve sold a few in the past and I think they've gone to like Celebrities, I think like Johnny Depp is famously known for like having one of them really So it's like I think some of them have sold to celebrities because they're kind of like Known as like the rare or something rare like I think they really have this mystique to him Yeah, so if someone with unlimited money is like I want the Rare drum the rare drum set that might be it, you know Yeah, yeah, it's like Nicholas Cage having a t-rex skull or something Yeah, it's like there's no, you know, it doesn't matter what it's worth really really at that point, you know It's just kind of yeah finding the right buyer that one. Yeah, that doesn't care, you know, no totally that makes perfect sense That'd be cool to have To not have to worry and just to say oh, I want the rarest drum set even not being really a drummer like he's a known as like a guitarist and singer but Good good for Johnny So totally unrelated you guys have like lessons and stuff as well in your shop Which so I used to work at the drum center of Cincinnati And I was I taught at Sam Ash and it's just like it seems like Lessons are just kind of like an essential thing for a drum shop like when you open It's just like something you got to do because it gets younger people and and just like people who are eager to learn in the door and It like it just it's just such a good thing where then it makes it more of a hang where like people are hanging out in the You know main area waiting for their lesson and stuff like that What's your experience with with giving lessons has it just been positive the whole time Yeah, it's always been positive. I myself personally don't do lessons, but our shop manager Collin kind of handles that and we have another guy that comes in and handles the overflow But it's been great. It's a lot of we have a lot of young students, which is cool and My side of it is I I'm enjoying the younger students coming in because Being a predominantly vintage shop too. It's nice to be able to like show this side of it as to like the you know the other place for lessons in town is like More more school bandy, you know, everyone that works there is wearing a polo or in a tie and it's like You know, it's a little bit more sterile So you come in here and it's kind of a little bit punk rock and there's old drums And you know, we let the kids go up and play whatever and sometimes Colin will go upstairs and and do a lesson You know with it with a seven-year-old and they're both on like a 60s Ludwig kit. So it's like it's going to introduce You know, not only these cool collectible Instruments, but it's also like a a different sound that maybe they're not used to Yeah, I know as a kid. I always enjoyed that more like the drum shop Vibe when I took lessons as opposed to like I live around the corner from a place It does a great job, but they do like they do like violin and they do like piano and it's just It's I guess it's just different for what people are looking for Yeah, I mean, it's cool to get you got to get people hooked and I feel like In my experience because I never want to say stuff about what other people have experienced I've learned that the hard way of don't say things like that. But That like for me it was more of a cool like this is a place to hang out Do you guys do clinics and stuff like that? We haven't yet, but definitely in the works work We kind of like when we moved to this building We were planning on it and then with all the COVID stuff I was like, I don't want to do an event if I don't know that you know in a few months We're gonna be able to do it So now we're actually in the works of planning some stuff because we just missed our one year on this building So we're gonna do a big event and whether or not it's gonna be clinic or her performance or something Definitely something we're gonna have in the future, especially now that we're working with some more new brands, too So it'll be nice to get some support and you know, yeah, whatever artist Company they endorse, you know for sure. I mean It's cool and from again looking on your website seeing that you have newer stuff It's it's cool to just like I don't know you can't like Stick your heels in the ground to be like we're only vintage. We're only selling, you know 1920s drums It's like people want new stuff Why send them somewhere else? Like Do it all sticks and heads and yeah, yeah I think it was when we moved here that I realized a little bit more of that In getting like the you know, maybe getting some heads that are Outside of my comfort zone, you know, it's someone coming in asking for like a frosted EC2 from Evans and I'm like We don't have them now, but I'll get them, you know And you know, we only had G2 is that one or G1 and G2 and UV what it's like We only had these like basic heads because that's all You know myself and surrounding players just use the basic stuff That's kind of what lends itself to vintage drums is yeah a really simple drum head So that was something we definitely learned more With this new location for sure. You got to like go out of your comfort zone Sometimes and get things that other people like but I've also learned to not go too far out of my comfort zone because Easy to screw up and I I definitely I think what I first realized it I went a little bit over and Now I'm like reigning it back and we're you know, we're figuring out what the people that come here the most benefit from but also like staying true again to Just the authenticity of what wood and weather is, you know, yeah, yeah for sure, which is very cool I mean the shop I should have said this earlier, but geographically we're really far apart So I've actually not had the opportunity to come in but Joe, this has been awesome man It's been like I said, we've met a few times at the shows But it's different when you sit down for an hour with someone and like kind of interview It's it's cool to actually get to meet you and and and talk more Is there anywhere you want to like direct people to find the shop and your online sales and all that stuff? Yeah, I would just say keep an eye on Instagram mostly It's kind of an ever-changing app. So, you know, whatever you can do to keep up with the photos We mostly post photos not a lot of video and I know the app it lends itself to video But, you know, Instagram is the best place for posting new stuff all the time in the stories You kind of get early access to deals there But otherwise wooden weather drum shop comm for everything else contacts their address is there Right now. We're open Fridays and Saturdays and the fives Most other days were here too. So shoot us a line if you want to come by Cool and I like how you do like in like stories on Instagram and I assume Facebook like orphan sales Where you have like drums where like maybe it's the drum that you've been missing like for someone and Or if you're trying to like put together a little like Set where you don't care what is what like like bait bass drums You can always use a cool bass drum, you know for like a studio or something. So it's cool. You do that It's fun, man. And honestly, that's kind of like we kind of like what we talked about before is drawing inspiration from other You know avenues where it's like I I'm into a lot of like vintage clothing and stuff like that and a lot of those Instagram resellers are always doing, you know selling on the story So I kind of just took inspiration from that, you know, no I don't think any drum shops were kind of doing on the fly sales like on Instagram like that. So Just kind of like took to that early because inherently we've You know, we have a lot of orphans we acquire a lot of like pieces, you know from buying collections and whatnot so They build up because we don't always put those ones online So it's like a quick and easy way and you know, yeah, I let people know when we're gonna be up there and it's kind of like Rapid fire thing. Yeah, which adds to the like like, oh, I gotta buy it, you know, kind of like Like I gotta get it. Yeah, but we and we price it for that too, you know It's not like people are having to like make a split second decision if they want to buy this, you know 13 inch rack tom for a full market retail. It's kind of like, you know, here's this drum It might be missing this piece, but it's like 90 bucks. So like yeah roll the dice or don't, you know, yeah Yeah, awesome. Very cool. Um, well, joe is gonna be kind enough to stick around for a patreon bonus episode We're gonna talk about how someone Like joe who's 30 Has acquired like this knowledge about vintage drums because to obviously own a shop And sell this stuff you kind of have to you really have to know what you're looking for for many reasons You could get burned by not knowing the right stuff. You could Uh, you could run into problems and also just like people trust you with Selling them, uh, you know the right gear. It's not a mixture of Wrong things put together that they rewrapped and all this stuff You want to know what you're selling? So, um, he's got a lot of knowledge that he's acquired since doing this So we're gonna kind of learn more about how to do that and and how to learn about Specific equipment and things like that. Um, so if you want to hear that go to um, drumhistory.com There's a patreon button. There's also a new thing where um on instagram you can now Subscribe which is like really new so it just got set up where if people like the instagram you can pay 99 cents and i'm going to start posting like Like i'll probably do like a little like thing where it's like hey this week's episode is with joe from wooden weather And it won't be anywhere else. You can get behind the scenes stuff. So check that out Um And it's all on instagram so you can see that I guess instagram is like you said ever changing and they're trying to Do different things to make it so people can make money Um, but anyway, so joe thanks for taking the time to do this man I mean, I appreciate it. You're a busy guy, especially with a young kid. Uh, you understand the insanity That comes with that very much. So yeah, thanks for having me man. I appreciate it