I just won a first generation pre-serial badge orange-peel Acro over at the Goodwill, but I paid full on retail for it. ($300.) I'll post up a shot once I get it and clean it up. Cool drums, never owned one before. I look forward to playing it.

John

You know, after all this time I never realized the finish is different from one era to another. I have a few real nice acros myself, now Im gonna have to take a closer look.

Those are cool snares Mike. Dumb question but do yo have any with the cut down b/o badge? Thanks for posting the drums!

"Mr. Acro!"

My Keystone Acrolite purchased earlier this year is my all time favorite snare.

john-congrats on getting the first generation acro. those are very neat snares.

jeff-yes, there are several different "shades" of acrolite finishes from light anodizing all the way up to paint/powdercoat finishes. I have owned a cut badge supra that was done so because of a keystone era shell with a b/o badge. I haven't come across the same in an acro yet however.

mike

I was just after a sideways one on Ebay myself!

I have one of the late 60's drilled for the B&O badge. Great drum & I gigged & toured with it. It sounds really great. Here's a shot of my one with the red felt..Yes Sir

that's a beauty. I bet we were bidding on the same one with the sideways badge. if so, sorry 'bout that. here's on of my first generations like yours..

mike

Hi Gary!

Only a few Acros (the myth said 200..) were developed during 1962/3 with that shell finish (among other exclusive attributes).

Known as "Orange Pell finish" or "Prototypes" many of us believe that "First Generation Acros" fits accurately.

History said that those were sent to main distributors in order to evaluate them. Many were returned, full of complains about the "soft aluminium hoops"

During 63, they were changed for the same legendary shell of the Ludalloy/aluminium Supra´s but with 8 lugs pattern hole.

The LM404 was original introduce in the ´64 Ludwig Catalog.

The rest is a well known history,Yes SirCoffee Break2

All this issue is well described at page 246 of Rob Cook´s book.

Anyway we got experts here (Mike itself) whom could give us further/accurate info.Cool1FYI

good info gary!

here is the '63 Ludwig catalog supplement that introduces the acrolite. the one in the catalog pic is actually the first generation style as well.

mike