A Noble & Cooley snare drum (serial #39-2950) owned and stage-played by Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode, used during both the studio recording of Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993) and throughout the subsequent Devotional world tour (1993-1994). Sold directly from Wilder’s personal archive as Lot 68A in the official “Collected: The Alan Wilder / Depeche Mode Historic Equipment, Vinyl & Memorabilia Auction” (Omega Auctions, September 3, 2011). Accompanied by a signed Letter of Authenticity from Alan Wilder on Recoil letterhead.
Video Documentation
Historical Context
The Songs of Faith and Devotion era (1993-1994) represents one of the most significant and transformative periods in Depeche Mode’s history. The album marked a deliberate shift toward a darker, heavier, more organic live sound — a departure from the band’s earlier purely electronic approach. Central to this was the decision to incorporate live drums into both the recording sessions and the subsequent Devotional world tour, a first for the band at this scale. Alan Wilder, who served as the band’s multi-instrumentalist, keyboardist, and co-producer from 1982 until his departure in 1995, was the driving force behind this transition.
The Devotional Tour (1993-1994) became one of the most visually and sonically ambitious tours in the band’s career, documented by filmmaker Anton Corbijn in the concert film Devotional (1993/94). It is widely regarded as a high-water mark of Depeche Mode’s live era and among the most celebrated tours in alternative and electronic music history.
Alan Wilder left Depeche Mode in 1995. Equipment directly associated with his tenure — particularly performance instruments from this pivotal era — is finite and increasingly scarce in the collector market.
Noble & Cooley is one of America’s oldest continuously operating drum companies, founded in 1854 in Granville, Massachusetts — originally producing military and rope-tension drums for the Union Army during the Civil War before transitioning to concert and performance instruments. The “Music Division” designation on this drum’s oval brass badge identifies it as part of their performance series: durable, high-quality instruments built for professional use, as distinct from the premium “Solid Shell Classic” and “Horizon” collector lines. Noble & Cooley’s pre-2000 serial number system uses a reversed-year code: the first two digits represent the last two digits of the year in reverse, so “39-” decodes to 1993 — placing manufacture in the same year as the Songs of Faith and Devotion recording sessions. Serial #39-2950 indicates this was the 2,950th instrument produced by the company that year.
Stage & Performance Use
Per Wilder’s signed Letter of Authenticity: “My complete kit was purchased specifically when it was decided to include live drums as part of the recording of DM’s ‘SOFAD’ and the subsequent decision to take that performance concept into the live arena. The advice I received at the time was that this Yamaha kit would be the most reliable, hard wearing, best sounding drum set for the job. And it certainly proved to be so. To enhance the experience and bring variety, I added two different and much sought after Noble & Cooley snare drums. I have used the drums many times since the tour at my studio in recording sessions for all the Recoil albums since ‘Unsound Methods’. With some new skins and a nice polish, the snare will be ready to go, sounding as good as it has ever done.”
The drum was thus used across three distinct contexts: studio recording during the Songs of Faith and Devotion sessions, live performance throughout the Devotional Tour, and subsequently in Wilder’s own studio for Recoil recording sessions following the tour.
Specifications
· Manufacturer: Noble & Cooley Music Division (Granville, Massachusetts — Est. 1854, Made in U.S.A.)
· Serial: 39-2950 — manufactured 1993 (Noble & Cooley reversed-year serial system: “39” = 93 reversed; 2950 = sequential production number)
· Diameter: 14″
· Depth: 5″ or 5.5″ (standard Music Division configuration)
· Shell: Black gloss finish over ply construction (likely maple); finish shows light checking and minor scuffs consistent with age and use
· Hoops: Chrome-plated triple-flanged counterhoops
· Tension rods/lugs: Brass/gold-tone with age-consistent patina and oxidation
· Throw-off/strainer: Brass with raised “NC” logo
· Snare butt: Brass with original fabric/leather strap attached
· Badge: Oval brass “NOBLE & COOLEY EST. 1854 MUSIC DIVISION MADE IN U.S.A.” on shell
· Batter head: Remo Weather King Ambassador Batter — wear and graying at center consistent with active use
· Snare-side head: Remo Weather King Diplomat (thin, clear) with mesh snare strip
Condition
Good. The black shell retains its finish in strong condition. The batter head exhibits significant wear and darkening consistent with repeated live performance use. Hardware shows patina and wear consistent with touring and extended studio use. The drum is fully functional and, per Wilder’s own assessment in the LOA, will be ready to perform with new skins and a polish.
Provenance
Sold directly from Alan Wilder’s personal archive as Lot 68A in “Collected: The Alan Wilder / Depeche Mode Historic Equipment, Vinyl & Memorabilia Auction” (Omega Auctions, Stockport, UK, September 3, 2011). Photographed in Wilder’s home at the time of sale. Accompanied by an original signed Letter of Authenticity from Alan Wilder on Recoil letterhead (Ref: 068):
“My complete kit was purchased specifically when it was decided to include live drums as part of the recording of DM’s ‘SOFAD’ and the subsequent decision to take that performance concept into the live arena. The advice I received at the time was that this Yamaha kit would be the most reliable, hard wearing, best sounding drum set for the job. And it certainly proved to be so. To enhance the experience and bring variety, I added two different and much sought after Noble & Cooley snare drums. I have used the drums many times since the tour at my studio in recording sessions for all the Recoil albums since ‘Unsound Methods’. With some new skins and a nice polish, the snare will be ready to go, sounding as good as it has ever done.”
— Alan Wilder, Recoil (Ref: 068)
Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance
This lot will be accompanied by a Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance — a document printed on official Nostalgia Bandit letterhead, signed by Nostalgia Bandit’s principal, and affixed with the official Nostalgia Bandit embossed seal. The Letter of Provenance reproduces the complete final auction description for this lot in full, memorializing all provenance documentation, attribution, supporting evidence, and condition details as presented herein. It is designed to travel with the lot through all future ownership transfers as a permanent, platform-independent physical record of the item’s documented history.
Shipping & Measurements
FIRST AND THIRD PARTY SHIPPING OPTIONS AVAILABLE. Contact Nostalgia Bandit for a shipping quote: shipping@nostalgiabandit.com
» Item: 15 x 8″ · 8.70 lbs.
