I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say we'd love to see you geek out for two hours while we watch! It's so cool to have a shop like that and for some of us where we can't have that experience, it'd be nice to live vicariously through your adventures! Thanks for the video Mike, great as always!
Dana and the team at Bentley's are great! I had the pleasure of working with them in their early years, when I was the Meinl and Canopus Sales Rep. Thanks for sharing a great trip and memory!
One of your best videos yet my friend thank you. Love hearing the history and back stories associated with each drum . You are right though there is something special finding that great drum by accident. Yes the online experience is good ,but to feel , see, and hear the instrument in person is an experience all to it self. Then to play it and add your chapter to the particular drum is amazing as well.
I'd watch for 3 hours! As usual Mike your giving us content, history, and knowledge with a splash of green tea we cant get anywhere else. What a great store with a wealth of drum history. Nice score today can't wait to see the new snare in action! Maybe a follow up video when you get the "Green Machine" dialed in, and ready to roll? Also that red sparkle looks like the perfect friend for your blue sparkle! 🥁
Yes! More of this! Really enjoy your first VLOG, and I'm kind of OCD on vintage drum stuff right now so the topic is totally on point. I've always been curious about the local drum shops in Northern California, it's nice to see these places. That green snare is sweet! My wife is rolling her eyes while I try and show her this because I just happened to go on a vintage drum shopping spree in Northern California last week too; Through classifieds I picked up a Keystone badge Ludwig Carioca set in black panther wrap with a chrome Ludalloy Standard snare and a 20" zildjian crash/ride, a red sparkle '64 ludwig pioneer snare, and a late 50's mahogany finish 24x12 Slingerland single tension marching bass drum that matches my mahogany finish late 50's radio king student snare that a friend gave me.
I picked up that exact same drum (except in a red sparkle) from an old guy who, as a young boy, lived down the block from the Gretsch factory when it was in Brooklyn. He essentially knocked on their front door, went in & bought the drum, carried it home, and then decades later, it now lives in my home studio. There's nothing that sounds like those old 3-ply Dixieland's. Congrats, Mike! Looking forward to hearing yours on some videos.
I can't wait for Vlog #2! Have you ever spoken to Mike Curotto at Gelb Music? He's one of the teachers there but I believe he has a cool collection of vintage drums.
Really enjoyed the vlog Mike! Was listening to you talk about it on the podcast which is also so good man so much respect for you and Eddy! Keep up the good work!
I love my Gretsch drums I bought in 1981, a fusion set I believe Harvey Mason played. I also own a great condition 1936 Kruppa Radio King Snare, first addition, Lugs threaded.
Love the vlog idea MJ, what a sweet pick up! Bentley's Drum Shop is definitely a place I need to check out one day, what a great shop! I was sure the red sparkle kit was coming home with you! Looking forward to the next one.
Mike, thank you so much for taking us on a glimpse of life outside the studio. I actually thought you would melt of it went outside :). Cannot wait for the next episode.
Ooooh shnikies!!! Can't go wrong with a Gretsch Dix 6!! And 6.5 deep too?!! NOICE grab there Mike! I have a 5.5" 60s RB 6ply with CLEAN WMP wrap and just had the edges cleaned up and the snare bed finessed a little and it is PHAAAT!! I also put those new 301 hoops n clips on it, cuz it's not a museum piece, it's for SMACKIN'! Enjoy yours man! 🤘🏻🦁❤
I wish I'd have known you'd be there!! Would have been a fun hang!! Great video Mike!! Thanks for supporting Dana's shop as well as many others I'm sure.
@Mike Johnston Well, this is about the best place and topic you could've chosen to start your new vlog series. 👍 Bentley's is one of my absolute favorite drum shops on the West coast (or anywhere), and Dana is a class act, and extremely knowledgeable, along with the rest of his crew. 👍 I'm so glad Dana was able to re-open the shop during this pandemic! He's worked incredibly hard his entire career to provide the absolute best products and services available to all levels of drummers & percussionists. And he treats EVERY ONE who walks through his doors with the same respect, kindness, and enthusiasm. Hopefully you got to check out the several other "private reserve" rooms with even more unbelievable goodies and history. :-) I can only imagine what else you came home with from that visit. :-) I've wanted to check out several of your clinics there, Mike, but unfortunately schedules wouldn't allow it. Keep on...
This was so cool to watch, Mike! I loved it especially because I pretty much only have experience with electronic kits, so it was really cool watching and learning about all that history with those drums and their mechanics. Can't wait for episode 2!
Love that you got the vintage bug! I recently got a 65 Ludwig club date in blue sparkle with a matching jazz fest snare, best sounding kit I've ever played. Would love to top em off with some old k's if I can ever find the money for em.
Just to parrot what a lot of others have already said; I love your educational content, but also love seeing your interest in gear and drum history! Also, I think it’s cool that you picked the affordable vintage piece..I can identify with ballin on a budget 🙌🏻
Hey Mike, I have a 6 ply 6 lug blue sparkle 4105 Dixieland Gretsch snare with orange paper tag, silver interior and push in key holder. Matches your kit and signed by Jack DeJohnette! Right up your alley.
I can only imagine how many takes and extra footage you had for that Mike Johnston™ production quality ;) Great stuff - that was a really cool video. Love seeing people talk passionately and knowledgably about the things they love, especially when that's drums. Looking forward to more of these!
Nice Mike! I really enjoyed that trip to such a cool drum shop. Living across the pond, it's nice to see a little slice of California drum dreaming! Can't wait to see that special present
You should get a wireless lav and run it into a portable recorder for car audio. The window transfers a lot. Is that almond milk you put in your matcha? Great matcha setup.
There's a set of the red, white & blue Ludwig's at one of my local drum haunts. I know they are very expensive and NOT for sale lol. Great first VLOG Mike! Looking forward to hearing the snare drum you picked up!
Thanks for the great video, I'm going to try an emperor's cloud on your suggestion. I've been to Bentley's a number of times, Dana is the best! What area were you traveling from? I'm in the Central valley myself up near Tracy. Have you been to Dub's drum shop in Dublin? ✌️🤠
I thing you have to do more vlogs like that, Mike!
@@sebastianpaz8247 Well, that's ashame.
@@Sonatarium That's so not true. Just blocked Sebastian for saying that. I will ABSOLUTELY be doing more of these!
You can count on it my friend!
I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say we'd love to see you geek out for two hours while we watch! It's so cool to have a shop like that and for some of us where we can't have that experience, it'd be nice to live vicariously through your adventures! Thanks for the video Mike, great as always!
How cool!! That vintage room is something special. I would have watched 2 hours of that! Lol
You could easily spend days or weeks there. Dana has several more of those vintage "private reserve" rooms filled with incredibly tasty morsels, haha!
You are one of the absolute best teachers on youtube in my opinion. Very sharp and always in a happy mood. Thanks for your inspiration.
Dana and the team at Bentley's are great! I had the pleasure of working with them in their early years, when I was the Meinl and Canopus Sales Rep.
Thanks for sharing a great trip and memory!
One of your best videos yet my friend thank you. Love hearing the history and back stories associated with each drum . You are right though there is something special finding that great drum by accident. Yes the online experience is good ,but to feel , see, and hear the instrument in person is an experience all to it self. Then to play it and add your chapter to the particular drum is amazing as well.
I'd watch for 3 hours! As usual Mike your giving us content, history, and knowledge with a splash of green tea we cant get anywhere else. What a great store with a wealth of drum history. Nice score today can't wait to see the new snare in action! Maybe a follow up video when you get the "Green Machine" dialed in, and ready to roll? Also that red sparkle looks like the perfect friend for your blue sparkle! 🥁
+1 to this. A "road movie" about drum history?
Sign me in!
My favourites: Ludwig vintage drums and...Porsches jaja.
Yeah, I’m really glad you made this!
Gotta deliver on those promises, lol. Hope you enjoy it!
Yes! More of this! Really enjoy your first VLOG, and I'm kind of OCD on vintage drum stuff right now so the topic is totally on point.
I've always been curious about the local drum shops in Northern California, it's nice to see these places. That green snare is sweet!
My wife is rolling her eyes while I try and show her this because I just happened to go on a vintage drum shopping spree in Northern California last week too; Through classifieds I picked up a Keystone badge Ludwig Carioca set in black panther wrap with a chrome Ludalloy Standard snare and a 20" zildjian crash/ride, a red sparkle '64 ludwig pioneer snare, and a late 50's mahogany finish 24x12 Slingerland single tension marching bass drum that matches my mahogany finish late 50's radio king student snare that a friend gave me.
@Erik Ross
Yup, you've definitely got the disease, LOL.
6:11 "double hihat stand"
Mike and me simultaneously: wait what
Definitely would love to see the full 2 hours! Definitely keep the vintage drum hunts coming! So cool!
Excellent! For us east coasters, what a cool glimpse into this great west coast drum shop!
Thanks, Mike please do some more!! you gave us a sip and we want the full cup.
I picked up that exact same drum (except in a red sparkle) from an old guy who, as a young boy, lived down the block from the Gretsch factory when it was in Brooklyn. He essentially knocked on their front door, went in & bought the drum, carried it home, and then decades later, it now lives in my home studio. There's nothing that sounds like those old 3-ply Dixieland's. Congrats, Mike! Looking forward to hearing yours on some videos.
That was really cool. Didn't know they made drums with heaters in them. Would of watched the whole 2 hrs. Thx for taking us along!
Love this! Thank you, Mike! I'm always learning something new with every video and every post! You truly are the best!
That's so wonderful to hear my friend!
I'm already hooked on this series! That segment when Mike enters the chop gave me chills! :D
Hey Mike ! If you are looking for vintage drums, you should definetely check out stores where youe can find ASBA Drums from France.
Have a nice day 🤘
Very cool video series, Mike! A two hour version of this would be awesome!
Cool idea mike. Love the vlog! Also, awesome to see you and staff looking after each other
I would personaly watch that two hour video 😊😊
Awwwwww wow, absolutely drooling over some of the most sick looking Vintage drums, grew up with 70's rogers kit, she was a beaut!
I can't wait for Vlog #2! Have you ever spoken to Mike Curotto at Gelb Music? He's one of the teachers there but I believe he has a cool collection of vintage drums.
I wish you would show the WHOLE visit. I love hearing all the stories about old drums.
Really enjoyed the vlog Mike! Was listening to you talk about it on the podcast which is also so good man so much respect for you and Eddy! Keep up the good work!
Dude, so excited for the blogs!!!! FYI I would sit for 2 hours no problem!
Goodness! Even the 'normal' snare section at Bentley's is friggin' gorgeous!
This is such a cool video. I need to go to that shop right now! Thanks for sharing with us.
I love my Gretsch drums I bought in 1981, a fusion set I believe Harvey Mason played. I also own a great condition 1936 Kruppa Radio King Snare, first addition, Lugs threaded.
Awesome.! Please make more such vlogs. That's full of knowledge
Not only you have great tastes for drums but for cars also! Nice Porsche!
Man, Mr Bentley is a fountain of knowledge! Great stuff Mike, I think you're gonna need a new snare wall at the end of this series...
Love the vlog idea MJ, what a sweet pick up! Bentley's Drum Shop is definitely a place I need to check out one day, what a great shop! I was sure the red sparkle kit was coming home with you! Looking forward to the next one.
yes awesome! sick snare, too! that green - whoa!
This. Was. AWESOME!!!! So simple and entertaining. You seriously make these videos a real work of art Mike! Cannot wait for the next one.
Loved this! Can't wait for the next one
I make a point to stop there every time I drive to or from SoCal. Great shop, great staff, really good selection of gear both new and vintage.
Are you aware of A Drummers Tradition in San Rafael CA? All vintage gear, the owner is Robert Bowler.
I NEED more Mike! For the record the episodes can be twice as long for sure!
That Ludwig heater thing blew my mind. Love learning about the mechanics of these snares. Keep them coming!
Mike, thank you so much for taking us on a glimpse of life outside the studio. I actually thought you would melt of it went outside :). Cannot wait for the next episode.
Ooooh shnikies!!! Can't go wrong with a Gretsch Dix 6!! And 6.5 deep too?!! NOICE grab there Mike! I have a 5.5" 60s RB 6ply with CLEAN WMP wrap and just had the edges cleaned up and the snare bed finessed a little and it is PHAAAT!! I also put those new 301 hoops n clips on it, cuz it's not a museum piece, it's for SMACKIN'! Enjoy yours man! 🤘🏻🦁❤
HELL YA!!! Same, I'm swapping out the hoops and clips today!
@@mikeslessons AWESOME! Can't wait to hear the demo! LOVE these new VLOGS too 👌🏻
Nice snare drum.
I can't wait to see what the surprise was on the next video !😊👍
This is so great I can't wait for part 2
I wish I'd have known you'd be there!! Would have been a fun hang!! Great video Mike!! Thanks for supporting Dana's shop as well as many others I'm sure.
Loved that road trip Mike thank you 👌
@Mike Johnston
Well, this is about the best place and topic you could've chosen to start your new vlog series. 👍
Bentley's is one of my absolute favorite drum shops on the West coast (or anywhere), and Dana is a class act, and extremely knowledgeable, along with the rest of his crew. 👍
I'm so glad Dana was able to re-open the shop during this pandemic! He's worked incredibly hard his entire career to provide the absolute best products and services available to all levels of drummers & percussionists. And he treats EVERY ONE who walks through his doors with the same respect, kindness, and enthusiasm.
Hopefully you got to check out the several other "private reserve" rooms with even more unbelievable goodies and history. :-) I can only imagine what else you came home with from that visit. :-)
I've wanted to check out several of your clinics there, Mike, but unfortunately schedules wouldn't allow it.
Keep on...
I'd definitely watch a 2 hours version of that haha that was awesome
That Gretsch Hammered Copper snare is RIDICULOUS. A masterful work of art, to say the least.
This was so cool to watch, Mike! I loved it especially because I pretty much only have experience with electronic kits, so it was really cool watching and learning about all that history with those drums and their mechanics. Can't wait for episode 2!
Absolutely LOVED this! And that drum shop is much larger than I expected! All the goodies in there!!
Love that you got the vintage bug! I recently got a 65 Ludwig club date in blue sparkle with a matching jazz fest snare, best sounding kit I've ever played. Would love to top em off with some old k's if I can ever find the money for em.
Just to parrot what a lot of others have already said; I love your educational content, but also love seeing your interest in gear and drum history! Also, I think it’s cool that you picked the affordable vintage piece..I can identify with ballin on a budget 🙌🏻
Yeah buddy this brought a smile to my face 😊😊😊
Such a wholesome video. I wouldn’t mind seeing the 2 hour video tho, so much useful information!
Very cool to know about vintage drums. Terrific video
Loved it! Thanks for sharing this!
That was fantastic! More of these please! The longer the better.
Loving the new whip! Perfect for getting to the gig quickly!
Much appreciated Ben! Having fun with it so far :)
Awesome video Mike. Love the new Vlog.
Didn't expect my local shop to pop up on my feed tonight, so rad! Can't wait to see more!
Great video, thanks for sharing MJ!
Awesome video and some amazing drums shown. Keep it up!
Love this style of video! Make more blog style stuff man
Mike, please make more vlogs! Love it!!
Will do my friend!
U need to play the darn thing at the end mike, Keep em coming!
Good stuff Mike. I hope to visit them some time soon since I'm in ventura County. Thank you
The Porsche game is strong loving it
I love this! I'm happy there are people as nerdy as me when it comes to gear. Keep em coming please!
Cant wait for ep. 2!! Btw mike you rock at vlogging please do more!
Hey Mike, I have a 6 ply 6 lug blue sparkle 4105 Dixieland Gretsch snare with orange paper tag, silver interior and push in key holder. Matches your kit and signed by Jack DeJohnette! Right up your alley.
I can only imagine how many takes and extra footage you had for that Mike Johnston™ production quality ;)
Great stuff - that was a really cool video. Love seeing people talk passionately and knowledgably about the things they love, especially when that's drums. Looking forward to more of these!
dang, I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I love hearing about the history of these drums. thanks Mike!
Yes... more this please....
Nice Mike! I really enjoyed that trip to such a cool drum shop. Living across the pond, it's nice to see a little slice of California drum dreaming! Can't wait to see that special present
I love this video! I need more CONTENT!
I picked up 2 of those 1920’s Ludwigs. Amazing snare drums!
great work! loved it Mike.
When are we gonna get to hear the new drum in action?! Loved the vlog, would've absolutely watched the 2 hours version!
Episode 2 will start with me playing this drum :)
FYI I for one would have hung out for the full two hour video if you had made it. 😁. That was cool. Looking forward to the next one
Congrats to vlog #1. I really enjoyed it.
That was just plain lovely to watch, well done!!!
That copper Ludwig 😍 I wanted to see that unwrapped. Bentley's looks like a cool spot.
You mean that Gretsch? Ya man, he's had that thing since I met him years ago and I've never seen it out of the plastic, lol.
Yeah man this was awesome! Please make these into like 20-30 minutes because I wanna see some drumssss
This is what we need 👍
oh man, Mike on the vlogs, this is great! Can't wait to see more! Also a matcha fan here :D
Loved it Mike! Thanks for taking us along for some vloggy adventures! I'm totally down for more of that. Just sayin ;)
Love this kind of stuff and especially when done well like you have. To be honest, I wish the video was longer. Looking forward to ep. 2.
You should get a wireless lav and run it into a portable recorder for car audio. The window transfers a lot. Is that almond milk you put in your matcha? Great matcha setup.
please we need more vlogs!
Waited all weekend for this. ❤️
Very cool!
There's a set of the red, white & blue Ludwig's at one of my local drum haunts. I know they are very expensive and NOT for sale lol. Great first VLOG Mike! Looking forward to hearing the snare drum you picked up!
Please do make them longer and do a video on making green tea!
Fair play Mike that was great..
This is great! I personally would mind a longer video with more historic info. I look forward to more of these!
Thanks for the great video, I'm going to try an emperor's cloud on your suggestion. I've been to Bentley's a number of times, Dana is the best! What area were you traveling from? I'm in the Central valley myself up near Tracy. Have you been to Dub's drum shop in Dublin? ✌️🤠
Those snares jarring in the bg looool
Wow amazing
Love it!! Do more 😉