So, first we saw the keystone 10 lug 5x14 keystone badge Acro and the b/o badge 8 lug 5x14 Supra. Next were the 10 lug b/o badge Acro and the Monroe silver badge 10 lug 5x14 Blacro.

These are what many call the 1st generation acrolites. They have been commonly called prototypes for years. but actually, based on Ludwig ads, these were initially intended to be regular production Acrolites. They have a completely different shell than typical Acrolites. While they are aluminum, they are very thin shelled and lightweight. They have an interior reinforcement plate that the others do not have. They also have the textured exterior finish that is different as well.

There are several theories concerning the one with the imperial lugs. Based on marks on the shell, these appear to have been original to the drum. The only other two that i have seen with imperial lugs also had the small round knob muffler like this one does. The round knob mufflers were present prior to the red felt baseball bat mufflers. The bowtie lug with the recess in the back had to be designed for the new Acrolite drum. These may be the first Acrolites based on the imperials and the muffler. The imperial lug with the recess was already in production being used on the Ludwig Super 400 and Supraphonics. when this drum came to me, it had an aluminum snare side hoop and was missing the top hoop. I added conventional Acrolite hoops in chrome to match the chrome imperial lugs. This also makes the drum much more playable as the aluminum hoops bend easily. It has been said that many of the aluminum hoop models were sent back to Ludwig for conventional hoop replacement or possibly that Ludwig simply mailed the dealer new hoops. I cannot verify either one of those however.

The other acrolite here is the one seen more commonly. It has the original aluminum hoops. It also has the satin finished lugs to match the rest of the drum. I did not notice until i took a pic today, that these drums also have the p83 strainer located on different panels. After some research today, I have found pics of other drums like this one with the strainer in the next panel over like the imperial lug model has. Even though this one is great shape, you can see where the top aluminum hoop has indeed been bent from playing or other factors. This one will probably get some shelf life from me as I play the other more often. Both of these drums sound great and are easily some of my favorites. Both have pre serial badges and no date stamps inside.

Hope you enjoy these..

Mike