What is it about me that attracts rude comments from guys named Ron? LOL! I've been trolled by the best of 'em.

And why leave the custom assemblers out of the discussion? After all, they charge people a lot more money for a lot less drum than what an Acrolite is. That's my point. Even a custom builder can't produce a shell like the Acrolite/Supra shell. And if they could, they'd charge you an arm and a leg for it. So why not just accept the fact that Acrolites do it all for around $100 on average for a really nice example?

Anyway, thanks for your opinions about my opinions, but there's really no need to be so rude about making responses. I understand if you disagree, but you seem almost angry. You're not angry are you? *looks for a Big Mac icon*

I want one I want to take a black galaxy and bead blast it and have it buffed to a shiny finish but i want a 6,1/2 x 14 anyone have one they want to sell?

same shell as a supra just unchromed ok that is fine no pitting and peeling .. whats not to like?

70s Acro was my first snare. Still have it. Its awesome. I've owned a few others...never paid more than $50 for one. I don't know how you can argue that there is a better snare out there for $50 with a case. Personally, I'm looking for a 60s one. Those never seem to be as inexpensive tho.

-Adam

Man, you're the living proof that there's no reasoning with a fanatic.

All one can do is expose the fallacies and illogic of his assertions.Mind Blowi

To repeat the conclusion of my initial response to your over-the-top paean:

Well made? Yes.

It was, is and always will be a decent, honest, low-end snare drum; not to be scorned, but hard to love for those of us fortunate enough to be accustomed to better.

Ron

Ron, let me respond to your post. your acro is far from a stock one the rims change you did and the model you have, also yours is a newer black galaxy model which this coating changes the sound alot from the standard natural aluminum shelled model. and I own just as high end snare drums as you do. the acrolite is a front tier snare drum plain and simple it's use in studios through it's date of manufacturing bears this out. Get a standard aluminum model from the 60's to mid 70's and try one of these example's other than the one you have. also name another drum in this price point with as much recognition as the Ludwig acrolite?which equals quality brand recognition and resale value and quality of tone. which equals Big Value!. sound is a very subjective thing as you and I have discussed at length. I own a mint 1920 brass Ludwig Ludwig, four radio kings, two Broadway standards, many other brass and alloy drums, I would gladly play only an acrolite. I also don't consider it any less of a drum than the high end drums I mentioned above, after all your Gretsch, and radio kings etc are all eight lug models so is the acro, it has rolled over bearing edges. just like my high end 1920 Ludwig all metal brass ten lug model does. So I guess what I'm saying is the model your using as a comparison is not the sound we are discussing or using as the benchmark of the Acrolite.Please No offense is meant.:) this is my 1969 model note the emperial lugs, I got it in 09/22/69 my first acrolite.

No offense taken!

Since you alluded to my recently acquired Blacro... which I was motivated to buy because it had been retrofitted with a Premier die cast batter hoop... I will give you an update:

The first thing I did was tune and play it as it came... not very satisfying.

2.Switched the reso hoop to my extra Premier die cast... no improvement.

3. Replaced Ludwig triple flange reso hoop and installed a triple flange batter hoop borrowed from a Sonor f.t. Surprise! That gave me the best response. Confirmation that Ludwig knew their business!

As you know, out of curiosity, I had purchased a 70s era Acro some months ago. After head selection and tuning to my taste, I judged it to be a well made instrument and a notable value that I wouldn't be embarrassed or bummed to play on a gig.

However, with 16 snare drums to choose from, I realized it would remain at the bottom of the pecking order, never to be played. I traded it for a cymbal.

BTW, I preferred the tone of the 70s Acro to the Blacro.

Having since purchased and mounted an after-market triple flange top hoop, I intend to unload the Blacro at the earliest opportunity, thereby ending for good and all my brief, but enlightening experience with the Acro/Blacro.

A few comments vis a vis value:

Quite recently, I had the luck to snag a 5.5 Sound King for $81.00.

Analogy: Acro is to Escort as Sound King is to Thunderbird.

Two years ago, I snagged a mint Premier 2000 for $125.

Analogy: Acro=escort/Premier 2000=Jaquar

HAHAHA! "..those of 'us'..."

You're probably one of those guys who thinks the snare drum he plays makes all the difference. I won't make fun of you for that, but it does suggest that you probably don't have a gig other than the one in your house. :). But that's okay. It's just good that you are passionate about what you think. If you've got "better" drums, then I hope you play and enjoy them -even if your 'audience' happens to be your dog and cat! :)

And FYI, I have a plethora of nice snare drums in my collection that I could choose from -all of them being drums that are far more valuable than my Acrolite. And that's part of the reason I feel I can make the claims that I do since I have a variety of drums to compare.

The fact that there are so many Acrolites in the world seems to have an effect on the way they are perceived. Since they are so ubiquitous, it's sometimes assumed that they are cheaply-made. That's just not true. If you know anything about drum construction, then you simply cannot argue that Acrolites are cheaply made. Like I say, try to get anyone who builds drums, to build you a similar Acrolite shell. They'll laugh at you. And even if you can peel off a bunch of bills to pay the price, in most cases, they still wouldn't be able to build you one simply because the machinery isn't available to do the forming.

Granted, maybe all those companies you mentioned earlier can make a similar shell, i.e., beaded, seamless, flanged edges....but in all honesty, the design originated at Ludwig. It's a Ludwig design. The Asians have always been good at taking someone else's design ideas and making them cheaper. It's what they do. However, in the case of the Acrolite, not even those other companies can produce a drum for the same price as what is common to most Acrolites.

If it was the only drum ever owned and was making the claims based only on limited experience/ignorance, then that would be one thing....but that's simply not the way things are.

Most people who play Acrolites tend to love them. And most everyone who plays drums, has at least one Acrolite in their arsenal. I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise that a thread like this one would draw out some differing opinions. But, again, being rude to people for no reason is a sign of a frustrated individual. This is a drum discussion forum, not a psychiatrist's couch! Lighten up, man.

Have a nice day!

Ok, you post left me with me scratching my head my friend??, your comparisons are how do I put this, No comparison, the Soundking, and the Premier are two entirely different drum's in Materials and bearing edges, and if we are going by cost I've never paid over $35.00 for an acrolite I own 3 right now. it's fine if you consider them not up to your standard also the escort ,Jaguar car comparison is a funny comparison, the Escort is a top world seller the Jaguar is not?, but the acrolite is a Standard workhorse snare drum Period. To each his own on what drum they use and love that's why their are 1000's to choose from.

You are a piece of work! Notable both for your lack of self awareness and abundance of contradictions.

Your probably one of those guys who plays rehashed covers of old R&R in sports bars for tips.

Here are a few samples of my playing. Ron

http://www.box.com/shared/plk5f1d9bl

http://www.box.com/s/ludutzni6yr3bpen0svf

Nobody is saying that your Premier drum and the Sound King drum are inferior to other drums. I'd have to wait and hear how well you played them to determine that. But that's not going to happen because I can't take time to travel to wherever your practice room is. I'm certain I won't be hearing your playing out in the world anywhere...Am I right?

:)