Bearing edges - Shall I Re-cut??? 60's Ludwig

[mrludwig]

I bought this kit on ebay about 2 weeks ago. It's a 3 piece Ludwig Downbeat from 1961-1969. I recently took of both sets of heads and examined the bearing edges. I laid down the drums on a flat-ish surface and found that the drums aren't perfectly flat. I've taken some pictures and i'm wondering whether to get the edges re-cut. The edges that come into contact with the head are not even. I've heard that 45 degree cuts into each side of the edge are the best when it comes to transferring energy from the head to the shell. But then I've also heard that re-cutting might 'spoil' the classic Vintage tone.

- I'd really appreciate it if people could help me out here. Thanks :)
George

- Please tell me what condition you think the bearing edges are in. And whether it's worth getting them re-cut or 'trued'. Thanks

[Fllx]

I think I might have the same problem with my 70's big beats. Mine seem to be flat but the thickness of the bearing edges is irregular. I have seen a few drums of the same era with similar problems and I wonder if it's just the way they were made. Anyway, without some pictures it's really hard to say if it's worth the trouble.

[lucky]

There are a lot of conflicting opinions on this topic. I feel that if you are going to play them then make them as good as possible. Personally I wouldn't change the angle of the edge, just true it up. Keep the original vintage profile.

[mcjnic]

clickity clickity click. That was me typing...

I agree!

Keep them as close to original as possible.

click

[mrludwig]

Hey, I've uploaded pics now. Can any one answer the question
thanks

[kevins]

There are a lot of conflicting opinions on this topic. I feel that if you are going to play them then make them as good as possible. Personally I wouldn't change the angle of the edge, just true it up. Keep the original vintage profile.

mcjnic:

clickity clickity click. That was me typing...

I agree!

Keep them as close to original as possible.

click

There ya go.......

[O-Lugs]

Man! Those original edges are some of the best I've seen! Don't change a thing!Burger Kin

[mrludwig]

Man! Those original edges are some of the best I've seen! Don't change a thing!Burger Kin

Really? So you disagree with the others saying i should get them 'trued'?
Thanks

[Ludwig-dude]

Personally, I would leave them be, unless you have tuning issues with the drums.

[caddywumpus]

If you re-cut them, their collectability goes down. It doesn't mean they're worth any less, though. Heck, since they would be easier to tune, you'd think they would be worth more. Maybe to a "player", but definitely not to a collector or vintage drum afficianado.

My 1970 downbeat has edges that are thick, round, and totally uneven, but it is part of the kit's charm and its vintage sound. I love it and wouldn't get them re-cut.

[mrludwig]

If you re-cut them, their collectability goes down. It doesn't mean they're worth any less, though. Heck, since they would be easier to tune, you'd think they would be worth more. Maybe to a "player", but definitely not to a collector or vintage drum afficianado.

My 1970 downbeat has edges that are thick, round, and totally uneven, but it is part of the kit's charm and its vintage sound. I love it and wouldn't get them re-cut.

As each drum was from a different downbeat kit i'm guessing there's not much collectors value anyway and all i'm intrested in is the quality of sound. The high tom doesn't seem to play as nicely as the other two. Do you think this could be to do with the edges??

[mcjnic]

Might be the way it's mounted. I had the same issue. I had to tension the drum a bit higher than normal. Only then did it start singing. Just a thought.

[Jaye]

You know...here's the thing: do you wanna PLAY this kit, or sell it ? because if you bought it to PLAY it, and the sound is compromised...and you have tried:

For a rack tom:

~ different heads (to open up the sound of a dead tom, try Evans J1 etched heads...if they fail, nothin' will work),

~different tuning,

~ playing the tom off of the tom mount and on the tom mount, and still getting the same sound.

For a floor tom:

~ all of the above plus playing the drum on a carpet vs. a hard floor surface

~ changing the rubber feet



If all of that fails, and you don't wanna just sell it off....then...screw collectability....you have a drum which has some sonic issues....because old Luddys don't sound choked at all.

Check whether the level of the edges are true, on a flat surface. Check if any of the edges of the head, when tightened, are wrinkled or binding.

If you have one of those two problems, and all of the above band-aids fail...you really DO have to recut.

[lucky]

I have to agree with Jaye, to get optimal sound you might have to touch up the edges. Try holding the tom by one of the tension rods or the rim and then hit it, that will tell you if the drum is being choked or not. I had a problem with a 14" slingie floor tom, extremely narrow tunning range. Had the batter side touched up and now its great high or low. Also there was a thread a little bit ago about the resonant side of a 12" tom. Try using a little thicker head on it. I never had a problem with my 12" rack tom , I could put any batter side head on it and it would sing. It had an old weathermaster on the resonant side and a few months ago I decided to put matching heads all around. So I put a new evans thin, clear resonant head on it and I had a hard time getting that thing to sound good. Put the old head back on and I got my tom back!