1920's Ludwig Black Beauty "scroll" snare...

[chrisp2u]

What would the general range of worth be on one of these (say from decent to excellent condition)? The condition of the one I'm looking at in particular is supposedly pretty good (haven't actually seen it yet) and everything on it is original (though the bottom head is broken). There's some pitting in the finish.

Thanks,
c

Pics here: http://www.simpull.com/BB/

[Webmaster]

Mike C is the best to answer this question, I would say starting at $1500 give or take and then going up from there if the condition is what you say.

The drum depth and the specific pattern do make a difference in value for
those drums so the upper value depends on that.

David

[chrisp2u]

Thanks for the reply. The guy said it looked kind of like a flower pattern and wasn't too sure of the depth, but thought it was 5.5"? I'll have it in my hands on Wed and I'll have a better idea on the condition and size then. I'll make sure to snap some pics too.
---
Chris

[Mike Curotto]

Thanks for the reply. The guy said it looked kind of like a flower pattern and wasn't too sure of the depth, but thought it was 5.5"? I'll have it in my hands on Wed and I'll have a better idea on the condition and size then. I'll make sure to snap some pics too.
---
Chris

It would be a 5" or a 6.5"....L&L didn't do 5.5"s then...photos would help me to give a more detailed answer...

Mike Curotto

[chrisp2u]

OK, finally got a look at it... and it wasn't quite in the condition I expected, but far from horrible I guess for something this old which has been used then sat in a basement for a majoirty of its life. There is quite a bit of pitting and there's a small ding on one side and a 1/2" (or so) dent/crease on the L of the logo. Plus, a lot of scratches on the bottom hoop (guessing from the snare stand used). Oddly, the size appears to be 4" deep by 14".

I took a bunch of pictures and posted them here:
http://www.simpull.com/BB/

If anyone could post provide a bit more insight on this drum and potential worth, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Chris

[vadrums]

Nice piccolo...could be cleaned/restored. I'd go anywhere from $2500 -$3500.

[chrisp2u]

Anyone else? Thanks.
---
Chris

[Webmaster]

Your best bet is to list out your specific questions you have about the drum.

Mike C can fill in the blanks.

Nice drum and you should be able to clean it up real nice. Mike Curotto
also knows a lot about BB and how to take care of them.

David

[chrisp2u]

Guess the only questions I would have are:

1. Is there any way to determine the actual year of make?

2. Is the 4" depth more rare?

3. And back to my original quesiton... what is it worth? To expand on that.. is it worth more if it were refurbished or pretty much the same as is?

Thanks,
Chris

[Mike Curotto]

Guess the only questions I would have are:

1. Is there any way to determine the actual year of make?

2. Is the 4" depth more rare?

3. And back to my original quesiton... what is it worth? To expand on that.. is it worth more if it were refurbished or pretty much the same as is?

Thanks,
Chris

Hi Chris,
1. It's probably around the 1923-25 era (8 lug scroll).

2. The 4x14 is a tad rarer (more rare?...correct English?) than the 5x14 and not as rare as the 6.5x14.

3. It's probably worth a tad more lightly restored, a "sympathetic" restoration as they call it...as is I say 2000.00-2400.00...I can make that drum into a 3000.00-3500.00+ drum...

I'm at my drum studio now but will post a before/after restoration that I did...photos later tonight.

Mike Curotto

[Mike Curotto]

<<<...but will post a before/after restoration that I did...photos later tonight...>>>

Here you go Chris...the bottom drum looked like the top drum before I did what I do...let me know what you think.

Mike Curotto

[chrisp2u]

Hey Mike,
Thanks for the replies and for posting the pics... nice work!

Well, I'll have to see what my friend wants to do with it... this has been mostly a fact-finding mission thus far. I may PM at some point with additional questions.

Thanks for the help,
Chris

[Mike Curotto]

Any time Chris...

Mike Curotto

[Harrabey]

Any time Chris...

Mike Curotto
My Dad had his original Black Beauty from the 1920's when he played in the West Point Band and traveled the world playing on the Queen Mary. I played his Black Beauty from the 1950'suntil we,regretfullynow, had it chromed in 1960 because it looked so bad. It is a 5x14 ( wave pattern) beautiful chrome drum but would it be possible or worth it to have it "unchromed" to its original condition? Thanks for responding, Harrabey

[Mike Curotto]

My Dad had his original Black Beauty from the 1920's when he played in the West Point Band and traveled the world playing on the Queen Mary. I played his Black Beauty from the 1950'suntil we,regretfullynow, had it chromed in 1960 because it looked so bad. It is a 5x14 ( wave pattern) beautiful chrome drum but would it be possible or worth it to have it "unchromed" to its original condition? Thanks for responding, Harrabey

Go to www.AKDrums.com ... Adrian does wonders with restoring shells...look at the restoration links and you'll see my shells and others that he has brought back to life...he'll be able to re-blacken your shell without re-etching the original engraving...he is worth every Euro that he charges!

Mike Curotto

[Jim]

Mike is this the correct link?? http://www.ak-drums.de/

[Roscoe]

That's the link, Mr. Jim.

"How much for the Fancy drum?"
stories still occuring speaks to the legacy.

Harrabey, welcome!

After much thought, I would leave that one alone.

What a story...