"Ludwig and Zildjian, the best musical marriage I've ever had, going 55 years strong!"

Marc celebrated the 55th Birthday of his Supraphonic LM 400 on December 27, 2022!

Marc celebrates the 50th anniversary of his snare on 12/27/2017
from the Ludwig Factory at 1728 North Damen Avenue Chicago, IL.

Marc celebrates 50 years with Ludwig and Zildjian in 2018.

Marc performing at the Connie Francis Tribute Show,
November 26, 2017, Franco-American Center, Lewiston, Maine

Marc performing at the Connie Francis Tribute Show,
November 27, 2016, Franco-American Center, Lewiston, Maine

Marc rehearsing the Connie Francis Tribute Show
November 28, 2015, Franco-American Center, Lewiston, Maine

Marc with Get Back, August 8, 2012
Riverbank Park, Westbrook, Maine

Marc playing his kit, New Years Eve 2010, Gorham, Maine

Marc during the BOTHN Recording Sessions, August 2007

Marc with The Chapparals, April 28, 2007

Marc with Love, Inc., Eastern Promenade
Portland, ME., August 30, 1970

Early picture of Marc with his Ludwig Kit,
St. John's Hall, Biddeford, ME., January 18, 1969

First photo of Marc with his brand new Ludwig kit,
less than a month after he bought it, October 1968.

"I am winding down my drumming career now, and
take the kit out only for special performances.

I still love drumming and teaching drums to my students, but
my body is telling me it's time to ease things down.

The past 55 years have been an incredible experience with
the thousands of performances I've shared on my kit!

I will always be grateful to Ludwig and Zildjian for the
fabulous musical equipment that I have been blessed with."

Purchased September 28, 1968, at Eastern Musical
(Cressey & Allen) Portland, ME.

Believe it or not, my drum kit itself, and we together,
turn 55 years old this year!

Never would have imagined that back in 1968!

I consider my kit a "hybrid" or "transition kit", between the
Ludwig "Hollywood" kit, discontinued in late 1968 with the
original "Keystone" badges, and the "Big Beat", which was
introduced in late 1968, and carried the new "Gold and Olive"
badges beginning in late 1968 and into 1969.

The kit is original 3-ply Mahogany/Poplar/Mahogany, one of the
last original runs of this 3-ply, until maple was introduced in 1969.

In recent years Ludwig has re-introduced some classic kits from this era.

In 2007, I had a major reconstruction job done to bring the kit back to life.
My good friend Mike Sangello of Portland Percussion did the recon job for me.

Additionally, I added new Ludwig hardware to replace my old worn-out hardware,
which had actually exceeded it's expected life, some of it no longer properly functional.

An important note here is during the reconditioning,
we did NOT alter the bearing edges of any of the drums.

I am very proud of my association with both Ludwig and Zildjian for the past 55 years.
The equipment is top-notch, sounds incredible, and I've made friends with
wonderful people in both companies over the years.

They are indeed "The best musical marriage I've ever heard!".

For Vintage Enthusiasts and Collectors,
here are my Serial Numbers and manufacturing dates:

Original Hardware:
(that I still use)

According to the "Ludwig Book", my drums are the original 3-ply
Mahogany/Poplar/Mahogany, and one of the last original manufacturing
runs of this 3-ply. In mid-1968, Ludwig changed over to maple,
(the "wooden kit", as Ringo called it, and used in "Let It Be").

I have replaced all my original cymbal stands (#1400) with the new Ludwig 126CS
flat-based stand. I replaced my original 1123-1 Hi-Hat stand in 1984 with a Pearl Hat
stand, and in late 2006 replaced that with a new Ludwig L-3053 Modular Hi Hat Stand.

Currently I am using my third Speed King pedal. Although it's worn,
I am also keeping my original Ludwig Oval seat for the time being.
It has long been discontinued, and though I don't have a model
number to refer to, I can tell you I purchased it in May of 1968.

In late February 2010, I finally retired my original #1363 Snare Stand
and replaced it with an LM822SSL Single Brace Stand. The original stand
no longer did the job, and the arms were too loose to support the snare,
not too bad after over 41 years of use!

Here are two views of my new stand with my kit.

I use Ludwig WeatherMaster heads on all my drums,
except where noted on the snare.

MY "A ZILDJIAN" CYMBALS

I play the original "A Zildjian" exclusively. Over the years they have developed a
truly remarkable warm "marriage", and I've used them in just about every type of
musical situation. They have never been cleaned in 50 years!

As a tribute to Armand Zildjian, the "Armand Rides" were introduced
recently, to reproduce the sound of those beautiful cymbals.

I am so very proud to still own and play my originals!
Their history is noted below.

22" Medium Ride, Purchased with my kit in 1968

20" Medium Ride, Purchased with my kit in 1968

18" Medium Crash, Purchased in 1971

16" New Beat Hats, Purchased in 1984

The Zildjian Visit, Friday, November 13th, 2009

This day turned out to be an incredible day in the life of this drummer,
as 2 years of planning and coordinating schedules worked out, and I went
to Norwell, MA and visited the world famous Zildjian Cymbal Company.

During our visit our friend and Host John Pappone, Sales
Communication Manager, gave me the royal VIP treatment.

I won't detail much of our actual visit to the Factory itself,
other than to say that it was great. I got some "hands-on"
experience, and I got to see how the Zildjians are made.

A wonderful visit, and made me appreciate, even more,
the beautiful musicality I've enjoyed for 55 years!

Hope you enjoy all the photos, truly a memorable visit,
and a most gracious host!

The beginning, Zildjian sign at entrance to the factory.

Mock-up of Ringo's kit.

Ringo autographed every drumhead on the kit in 2006.

On the other side of the room from Ringo's kit is the
double-bass Louis Bellson kit, autographed on the bass drum.

Louis Bellson autograph. He was married to Pearl Bailey,
and was her Bandleader for many years.

At the entrance to the world-famous Drummers Lounge is a tribute
to the one and only Buddy Rich, and one of his 1950's Slingerland
Kits on display. John had me get behind the kit for a photo.

The night before Buddy died, he gave this kit to Armand Zildjian for safe keeping.
I was so honored to be sitting behind it, and even tapped it a couple of times!

Our friend and Host for our visit, John Pappone, on the kit in the Drummers Lounge.
John is an excellent drummer, and very smooth with the brushes!

Here I am, concentrating on the Kit in the Drummers Lounge.

I'm thinking, of all the world famous drummers who have sat behind
this kit, and on this throne, and trying not to make a fool of myself!
I had to pinch myself a couple of times, to make sure that I was not
imagining this visit!

Concentration!

At long last, I was able to show my vintage 1968 cymbals to John.
He was very impressed, and Armand keeps a watchful eye over the proceedings.

Celebrating my 40th Anniversary in 2008

To help me celebrate my 40th Anniversary, Ludwig and Zildjian sent me
congratulatory letters and signed presents. The Ludwig Book, and the
History of the Zildjian Cymbal Company.

Marc celebrates 40 years with Ludwig and Zildjian in 2008.

The Recon Project: April 2007 & July 2012

Mike Sangello owns Portland Percussion, and I've known him
since shortly after opening his store in the early 1980's.

Mike knows how near and dear to my heart the kit is, and
he knows he's also the only person here I would trust to
do the job to my satisfaction.

Within my budget, Mike did an outstanding job! He knows
his stuff, and goes the extra mile to insure it's done right.

Many thanks Mike for an outstanding Recon job!

.

In early July, 2012 Mike once again worked his magic,
doing some minor rehab work to the bass drum, and replacing
my snare head. My kit comes out for very special occasions,
and the rare times we do play in the band together.

While not being used as often as in the old days, they are
still "playing to be heard", and do the job beautifully.

A photo from June 2005,
showing great deterioration of the Bass hoops

Side view of completed kit, showing my original 20 inch
Medium Ride, and 22 inch Medium ride in the background.

Mike and I at Portland Percussion, after the Recon.

First Gig with reconditioned Kit, April 28, 2007.

At a Chapparals Gig, in 2008.

Supraphonic 400 Snare (LM 400)

Celebrating it's 56th Birthday in 2023!

Mike completed the reconditioning of my entire kit,
with my snare being the final drum to be finished.

He told me it's condition is excellent, for a drum that's
40 years old (at the time of the recon), and could not believe how well it has aged.

There are pits on it of course, and a lug or two is worn on
the outside, but overall in remarkably good shape.

To give the snare a fat sound, we deviated a bit and put on a clear
Aquarian resonant head and top of the line Pure Sound Percussion
20 strand snares. These are the only two non-Ludwig items on the
entire kit. We wanted the snare to have clear projection.

Completed recon, beautiful job!

Aquarian Head, and new snares.

Mike cleaned up both top and bottom hoops, and also
cleaned up the inside, and tightened up the inside muffler.

Top view of completed recon.

In late 2009, I got Ludwig's beautiful 100th Anniversary
Snare drum case to protect my 1967 Supraphonic 400.
The case even has a protective bag to cover it.

On the front is the 100th Anniversary Logo,
and inside the case is lined with thick felt.

Some of the Drum Literature I've collected over the years.

My oldest book is the Ludwig Instruction book on
Jazz Drumming, dating back to January 1959.
The newest so far is the 2011 Ludwig Catalog.

Our Friends at Ludwig and Zildjian

In the drum world, we have two very special friends at Ludwig
and Zildjian, who have been very nice to us, and I wanted all
Vintage enthusiasts that visit this page to meet them.

Todd Trent was Ludwig Artist Relations Manager for 25 years,
retiring from that position in September of 2008, and is good
friends with some of the greatest drummers in the world.

I first met Todd at the NH Drum Expo in October of 2007.
He is featured in Rob Cook's Ludwig Book. Todd was Drum
Roadie for Daxx Neilsen, Drummer for Cheap Trick.

My good friend John Pappone, on the platform
in the Drummers Lounge. (now mostly-retired)

John was a most gracious and very informative host during my visit!

I look forward to hopefully meeting many of you on the Web,
and perhaps at some future time in person, at some of the
Vintage shows in the Northeast.

Updated January 27, 2023