David Frangioni Collection, Ed Shaughnessy's, Tonight Show - 1979 Ludwig 10-Piece Drum Kit w/Hardware!!

David Frangioni Collection, Ed Shaughnessy's, 1979 Tonight Show - Ludwig 10-Piece Kit!!

FOR NEARLY THIRTY YEARS, Ed Shaughnessy was the drummer for The Tonight Show orchestra during the Johnny Carson era and seen by millions of people each weeknight.

He started his drumming career in the 1940s with artists including George Shearing, Jack Teagarden, Charlie Ventura, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey. In 1963 he joined The Tonight Show band. He remained a constant member of the band until 1992, when longtime host Johnny Carson retired and turned the show over to Jay Leno.

Ed Shaughnessy played this Ludwig Blue/Olive badge drum set on the Tonight Show from 1979 until about 1984, when Ludwig made him a virtually identical set, the biggest difference being Ludwig's newly reissued large Keystone badges.

Ed Shaughnessy’s role with the Tonight Show orchestra demanded the extreme versatility required to support Johnny Carson's wide array of musical guests. Ed designed a decidedly nontraditional drum kit that enabled him to support any guest Carson sent his way. The set includes 6", 8", and 10" deep-shelled, single-headed concert toms, 8" × 12" and 9" × 13" rack toms; and 16" × 16" and 16" × 18" floor toms. Ed’s choice of bass drums was unusual: Ed used a 14" × 24" drum on his right and a 14" × 22" on his left. The snare drum is a 5" × 14" chrome Super Sensitive model.  

A set of Ed Shaughnessy's drum cases, stenciled with his name, and a collection of Ed's stage played drumsticks are are included.

See and hear Ed Shaughessy play the set with the Tonight Show Orchestra in the attached video.

The set includes all of the hardware shown in the photos including a matching canister throne. The set is in overall great condition with no notable issues. We've left the set in the exact condition it was received with no modifications or restoration. The minor scuffs and scrapes are scars proudly earned after nearly 30 years on the Tonight Show bandstand.

There are a few unique details about this set that demonstrate the evolution of Ludwig drums as well as Shaughnessy's mighty playing style. When the set was first received, Ludwig replaced the stock mounts on the 12 and 13" toms with their "diamond plate" mount that was normally used only on bass drums. Around 1979 the tom mounts were upgraded again with Ludwig's new heavy duty "Modular" mounts. Look at the last two photos. In the black and white photo you'll see the original diamond plate tom mount. In the final photo you'll see the new modular mount as well of a couple visible holes from the original diamond plate mount.

Ed continued to play this set until the set was retired about 1984.

The set was received directly from Modern Drummer Magazine CEO, David Frangioni. The set was featured in his coffee table book "CRASH".

COA signed by David Frangioni.

Due to the large size of this set, it will be shipped by palleted freight. Shipping cost is a good faith estimate. Buyer will pay exact shipping charges.