The story
Steve Maxwell dates his first shop to 2001: a roughly 700-square-foot room in Chicago's Fine Arts Building, open on Sundays while he kept his technology career. The business grew inside that building, moved its Illinois operation to Naperville, and in April 2016 relocated to a 7,500-square-foot space in Glendale Heights. Maxwell also opened a Manhattan store, which became Good Hands (No. 7). Some directories say 2002; Maxwell's own account says 2001.
The owner
Steve is a drummer, collector, appraiser and broker who began collecting rare drums in the mid-1970s. His business grew around historically important instruments, including gear owned by well-known musicians, and reproductions of hard-to-find vintage hardware.
Known for
High-end vintage drums and cymbals, artist-owned instruments, Gretsch, Craviotto and vintage reproduction parts. A favorite of collectors and of players chasing classic jazz sounds.