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Hoping for a little help. Last viewed: 16 hours ago

Posts: 5 Threads: 1

Hello everybody. This is my first visit to the forum and my first post.

This afternoon I was browsing in a pawn shop I frequent and I came across this vintage Ludwig snare. I am hoping the folks here can help tell me what I have and any value it might have. I only paid $50 for it, so whatever it is I didn't get hurt. It is a cool drum.

It is 4 1/2" or 5" x 14", chrome finish (some pitting and discoloration), "stick chopper" rims (?), 10 tube lugs, and the rims are held on with claws (like a normal bass drum head). The snares are not wire, but appear to be gut or some sort of string. The Ludwig logo is engraved rather than a badge and the vent hole has no grommet, but is smooth. Heads are not original, I believe, as they are mylar and the top head says "Rocker" on it.

Here are some pictures I took of it. Some are kind of blurry but they should give you an idea of it.

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188

1927 Ludwig Theatre model.

Rocker heads are newer -probably late 70's/80's. It would have had calfskin heads, originally.

You got a great deal. It's worth several hundred dollars.

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/ludwig_snaredrums/1927_ludwig_snaredrums6.jpg[/IMG]

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

Thanks for the quick reply. That sure looks like what I have. I think mine my be the "all around" model, though, since it is not 15", but only 14". Have you got any idea of the shell material? The brochure only says "all metal."

Thanks again. I did a bit of poking around earlier today and I wondered if the drum might be from the 20's or 30's. But I didn't want to speculate without having someone look at it who would know for sure.

If I clean it up will it diminish the value and is it possible to use modern snares on it without damaging the strainer?

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 508 Threads: 61

Im always gettin good deals on drum stuff but not as good as what you found.CONGRATS!Bowing

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188

From hasher98

Thanks for the quick reply. That sure looks like what I have. I think mine my be the "all around" model, though, since it is not 15", but only 14". Have you got any idea of the shell material? The brochure only says "all metal."Thanks again. I did a bit of poking around earlier today and I wondered if the drum might be from the 20's or 30's. But I didn't want to speculate without having someone look at it who would know for sure. If I clean it up will it diminish the value and is it possible to use modern snares on it without damaging the strainer?

correct. the all-around model. My guess is that it's nickel over brass. You can use modern wires but don't lose the originals!

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

You got a massive deal, I have one also and it's one of the best snare drums I own, I removed the original calf heads and gut snare wires and replaced them with modern plastic ludwig heads and puresound snare wires, the drum simply sounds supurb. here is what mine looks like detailed and cleaned. and save your snare wirs if you do so also. on ebay about three weeks ago one sold for $900.00. So not bad for a $50.00 dollar investment! on your end.

I hope mine cleans up as nicely. I will start working on it tonite, I think. I am torn about playing it or selling it. I am anxious to "take it around the track" a time or two to see how I like it. Do metal shell "mellow" with age like wood ones do? I wonder. If so, this should be a sweet sounding drum. May be hard to part with.:cool:

I appreciate all the input; I will definitely be on the lookout for more of these!

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

"aged like fine wine", eh? I can hardly wait to hear it. I was out at lunch time and I stopped by O'Reilly Auto Parts to check out some stuff called "Mothers Mag Polish" that a friend recommended I use on the drum. Will this sort of thing be too harsh for the nickel plating or should I go for Flitz or Brasso?

Walking

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 556 Threads: 39

A lot of folks around here swear by Cape Cod polishing cloths for polishing nickle. They can be found at your neighborhood Ace Hardware store.

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

From hasher98

"aged like fine wine", eh? I can hardly wait to hear it. I was out at lunch time and I stopped by O'Reilly Auto Parts to check out some stuff called "Mothers Mag Polish" that a friend recommended I use on the drum. Will this sort of thing be too harsh for the nickel plating or should I go for Flitz or Brasso?Walking

Stay away from the mag polish- many Mag polishes etch metal; good for mags, not so good for nickel. Cape Cod polishing cloths or MAAS would be good. Even 3M Finesse It would be good; just make certain you test an inconspicuous spot.

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 681 Threads: 81

Be very careful cleaning that nickel plating. It is possible to polish right through it. Do not use Brasso! If you use Cape Cod, be careful as when you are polishing you are actually removing some of the nickel. I have actually used Cape Cods to polish scratches out of stainless steel! Personally, I like to leave them in original condition (aside from cleaning the dirt and dust off). It takes decades to develop that patina. Most antiques are devalued by removing the original patina. Just my 2 cents worth...

Here's my 6.5 with the original, unpolished finish....

[IMG]http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll197/Luxor65/rogers040.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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