1963/64 Sonor "Teardrop" Chicago Star Drum Kit

The striped champagne gold finish of this Sonor teardrop kit has dulled over the years, but the drums sound magical. The badges say “Made in Western Germany.”

Sonor Chicago Star Specs: 20″x14″ kick drum, 13″x8″ rack tom, 16″x14″ floor tom Lovingly restored by Colin Richey. Later I acquired the 14″x5″ snare drum + matching bongos.

The shells are made from three-ply German beech with re-rings and bear the distinctive offset “teardrop” lugs. This sought-after vintage Sonor kit offers a rich, musical tone, that Sonor’s current Vintage Series aims to replicate.

Some of the photos below show Jack DeJohnette, Jon Bonham, and Bill Ward play similar Sonor teardrop kits back in 1960s.