Who made a Supraphonic clone?

[checker758]

I picked up this snare super cheap over the weekend. There are no labels or identifying markings on it inside or out, but it's obviously a clone of a Ludwig Supraphonic (shown posed next to a real Supra below), and because the cloning phenomenon seems to be a non-USA trait, I'm posting my question here. Anyone have any idea who made this or where it came from?

It's a pretty accurate copy, at least in the way it looks (I have no idea how it sounds yet - it needs heads and a snare.) Especially surprising are the lugs - they're cosmetically dead-on copies of Supraphonic lugs. I did the 'magnet test', and a magnet does not stick to the shell.

The main differences I've noticed are the super-crappy throw-off, the way the lugs don't quite fit tightly to the bead on the shell (see pic), and the bearing edges - the 'fold-over' of the shell that creates the bearing edge is much shorter on the clone than on a real Supra. Also, the muffler knob and vent hole are not in the same place as a real Supra.

Anyone know anything about this beast?

Scott

[Ludwig-dude]

I think Apollo drums made a copy of the supraphonic....Beverley had one similar as well......

[jonnistix]

pull off a lug and see if it is the real deal. Looks like those are in fact Imperials on the copy shell. Star made a nice copy that did not last on the market very long. I don't recall having seen one with Imperial knock-offs tho. Ralf will more than likely chime in to let us know if he has seen the Imperials knocked off. I'll bet that puppy sings when you git 'er done!

[teverson-sr]

If I was a betting man,I'd say that there were actual Ludwig tension casings on that import shell.The radius of the cutout looks exactly the same as the Ludwig drum.I know this because I put Imperial lugs on my son's Acrolite,and it looked similar,but the space was not as pronounced.

[jonnistix]

That is exactly what I'm thinking, Tom. those just look like real Lud lugs. I just don't think they tried to duplicate the lugs.
I want you to try something when it comes time to clean up those tension rods. Grab some 000-0000 steel wool, your screw gun and some mineral oil/baby oil. Run the rods in and out of the steel wool a couple of times, then wipe them down with a cloth or paper towel. It will clean them up nice, and won't take forever to clean. I am abount to start something in "Restoration". It might surorise some people the methods I employ.ome are time saving, some are not, but I have been restoring antiques all my life, so I know some tricks.
If I was a betting man,I'd say that there were actual Ludwig tension casings on that import shell.The radius of the cutout looks exactly the same as the Ludwig drum.I know this because I put Imperial lugs on my son's Acrolite,and it looked similar,but the space was not as pronounced.

[checker758]

pull off a lug and see if it is the real deal. Looks like those are in fact Imperials on the copy shell.

I don't know enough about these to know if they're the real deal or not...should they say Imperial somewhere? What should I look for?

Scott

[MIKEY777]

Hi Scott, The lugs are ludwig by the numbers inside the lug..So i would say your drum is some type of inport with ludwig lugs added later...mikey

[vintage drum bug]

I used to have The Beverley 21 "supraphonic" and Boy, The thing was amazing. Mine wasn't COB though ( I heard there was a COB version) but the instrument was a real delight. Excellent Chrome plating (didnt pit or "pimple") the strainer had super smooth action and the construction was A class. I shouldnt have sold that one. It was a huge mistake like many I have done!DOH