As I sell off all my snares, I pick just a few to remain. This one is a keeper.
I pulled it apart today to detail it and I am wondering what it really is. Here is the information from Rob Cook's Ludwig book.
Pre-serial number badge (not bent in the middle) (1960 -mid 1962)
Aluminum shell 1961- x
Brass Counterhoops (x - 1964
Here's a clincher... deep crimp snare bed (I think). The book says, "This in itself does not signify a brass shell, as the first few aluminum-shell models were also given this crimped snare bed."
So, this would really narrow it down to early 1961.
Baseball Bat muffler with red felt. (1961 - 1964)
The lugs are the newer style. Lots of changes in the imperial lugs but probably sometime early 60's.
Now, we come out of the early 60's into late 1965....
The lugs are attached with a combination that is not shown in the book. They are the small bell washers used from 1963 to late 1965 but the hex head bolts that are used were not used until late 1965.
I'm not sure what else to say. It would appear that the shell was made in 1961 and the badge was installed. Then, it sat in stock until late 1965 when they used up some old washers combined with the new hex head bolts and installed the newer lugs.
So, the shell was made around 1961 and the drum was assembled in late 1965.
The Supraphonic wasn't introduced until 1963 so.......
Is it real or is it memorex? Even though the shell is a Super Ludwig, the drum was built after 1963 and probably sold as a Supraphonic.
So, I guess I would call this a Supra, not a Super Ludwig.
I know one thing, I sure like the way it sounds. I'll post some pics of the finished product after I wax it and re-assemble it.
