Need a throw off for a Leedy & Strupe NOB

[sabshga]

I have a 4 3/4 x 14" Leedy and Strupe snare nickel over brass. The parts, hoops and possibly the shell are in bad need of re-plating. Before I go through the expense, I want to see that I like the way it sounds. The throw off is missing some parts and the snares are the old kind that are individual wires without gathering hardware on the ends and they look like bass strings. It has calf heads. The hoops are just non-flanged circles with claws and screwdriver top t-rods.I want to put on new heads and a more modern set of snares on it (I'll keep the originals for the next owner).

The problem is the throw. It looks like a Ludwig P-83 but the mounting holes are 2" apart and not 2 1/2 (I was getting ready to take apart my old Ludwig 400), so the P-83 will not work.

I know about the guy that makes wooden adapter plates (Presto Plates) but I don't like the way the look will look against the nickel. Does anyone know of a throw off that will fit the 2" holes and also rise over the center ridge in the middle of the drum?

Thanks in advance.

Gary in Dix Hills, NY
Keep on Pl

[Rich K.]

First...I'd say try cleaning the drum with Cape Cod polishing cloths before you got to the expense of re-plating. THey work wonders, and re-plating could cost more than the drum is worth. I don't think any of the replacement strainers available have a 2" spacing, and a Leedy & Strupe strainer would be real hard to find, although, eventually everything turns up. It's easy to make a non obtrusive adapter plate and use a replacement strainer until you find an original. If you want easy instructions, let me know. Takes about 5 minutes and costs almost nothing.

[sabshga]

Thanks. The strainer parts that remain look a lot like a Ludwig P-83. I'm going to see if I can use parts from a P-83 to see if they will work with the exisint back piece.

Regarding re-plating, the brass is showing through on most of the tube lugs and the rims and claws and t-rods look rusted. The shell has scratches that are the result of grit getting between the head and the shell.

[Webmaster]

Show us some pictures, I have a variety of strainer parts
laying around. Pictures would help.

David

[juba]

Hello, I have two (rare) Leedy and Sons Strainers for sale. I'll sell the complete "Tall Boy" Marching snare for $150.00 + S/H (original canvas bag and very cool lugs). The orphan L&S "Cutter" Strainer (top o' line) I'm asking $108.88 + S/H. Let me know. I'm also selling all of my Slingerland sets, snares and parts. let me know if there is any interest. Regards, Bill788789790791

[sabshga]

So the way this is configured I have the thumb screw piece in the first two pictures missing the fat turning knob on top. On the butt side it is the part in the second two pictures. So it seems that the throw on this drum is the adjustable butt on the first two pictures. Does that make sense. Is that how they were sold? It seems like at it was sold to me it had an adjustable butt on one end and a stationary butt on the other end. I am going to see if I can use the parts on the Ludwig throw in conjunction with the the similar parts on the existing adjustable butt. Is that clear?

By the way thanks for the info.

Gary
Dix Hills, NY
Keep on Pl

[Rich K.]

Juba...what sets and snares are you selling? my email is rkalinsky@aol.com

[sabshga]

Gentlemen,

This is the snare I'm talking about. Nice? The claws and t rods are as bad as the rims. My guess is this is a re-plating project with respect to those parts. Any thoughts? The shell is polishing up nicely with the exception of the scratches which expose the brass. If I get this all re-nickeled and nice, will it be worth much? I have no idea what it sounds like but I'm partial to wood over metal so it will probably be a display item rather than something I play.

Thanks in advance.

Gary
Dix Hills, NY
D' Drummer

[juba]

Sabshga, Nice looking snare. Did the strainer on your snare originally have a lever mechanism to drop the snares off the snare head or was it like my L & S? 793. I have read that L & S had 4 different strainers although I've only seen 3. Anybody help?

[sabshga]

Just like the one in your picture. The Top piece is missing. The screw is there but the nob is gone. Think I'm going to try to fit a P-83 on it. Do you know anything about the sound of a drum like this? Can it be used as a drum set snare? Any idea of what it would be worth if I got it all replated?

[juba]

Sabshga, I would re-read Rich K's sage advice. He really made some excellent and valid points on re-plating costs vs. cleaning. Putting "Earthtone" goat skin heads and tuning may give you that vintage vibe for drum-set. What is it worth? What ever someone is willing to pay? The re-plating maybe a costly deal breaker for some buyers. Good luck! That is a very rare snare!

[sabshga]

So how DO you make an adapter for a throw with a 2 1/2" distance between mounting holes to go into mounting holes spaced 2" apart?

[Rich K.]

First of all, replated or not, that's a fairly rare , but not too valuable a drum. Six lug drums of that era (I think it's a six lug) generally don't bring much more than $200-250...the original strainer being missing would obviously bring the value down. I'm pretty sure the drum didn't have either of the two throw-offs shown by Juba...I think it had a simple throw off similar to a p-83.
As I said previously, re-plating isn't really need to bring this drum back to life. I'd use some 0000 steel wool on the hoops, and then rub down the shell and parts with cape cod polishing cloths...in no time, the drum will look great.
It's real easy to make a simple adapter plate to make the drum playable until you find the correct strainer.
Go to home depot or someplace like that and get piece of 1/8" to 1/4" thick clear plexiglass cut into a 3" (approx.) square. Also get some nylon or plastic washers about that thick. Drill the plexi to match the two holes already on the drum from the old strainer. Also drill the plexi for the holes for your replacement strainer. Attach the new strainer on the plate, then attach the whole thing to the drum, using the washers as spacers.. Pretty simple really, and it works well.
With modern heads and snares, that drum should sound great...many of use old brass snares with our sets.

[sabshga]

Thanks for the info. That seems simple enough. I have a P-83 en route via ebay. It is indeed a 6 lug drum. I'm surpised that someone would have gone to the trouble of swapping out a throw for an adjustable butt, but (butt but) the end part opposite the stationary butt is just that, an adjustable butt that looks as old as the rest of the drum and is the same as one appearing in one of the pictures. Be that as it may, I will polish it to the best of my ability and either use it on the kit or admire it on my shelf.

Regards,

Gary
Dix Hills, NY
D' Drummer