Call me slow, but I've never really thought too much about the variations in the Oyster finishes. I've always seen them as swirling swirling swirling mixtures. I've never noticed anything otherwise. Odd. I believe you are correct, though...now that I ruminate on this a bit. I guess the Strata finishes are just a bit more extreme in variation. I also believe you may be correct in stating that the more subdued thin lined pattern is the intended outcome. That one really hit me. I would have never thought that. I believed that the Strata (striations) were implied...amidst the swirls and gyrations of all that is within that finish. That is in line with the striations found within nature. It was a logical step for me. I think I might have been mistaken.

I have some additional thoughts on this - but first, for your visual scrutiny -

2 composite pics of a 13" x 9" Blue Strata junker - it was scorched by some unknown heat source - I bought it for its re-rings. - - Also, pardon the inaccuracies of the pattern matches - curved surface, slightly off-level = tricky :eek:

Too big to load here - here're the links:

1] Larger image but shorter composite

http://s666.photobucket.com/albums/vv21/TintedCrescent/LUDWIG%20STRATA/?action=view¤t=STRATACOMPOSITE.jpg

2] Full shell composite but smaller pic

http://s666.photobucket.com/albums/vv21/TintedCrescent/LUDWIG%20STRATA/?action=view¤t=FULLSTRATACOMPOSITE.jpg

You can cursor on the pic - then when you see the size %, click on "Full Size"

~~~Freaky

Well....Keep in mind that most of this stuff is kind of esoteric. I am no real expert in what Ludwig's intentions might have been with the name "Strata" for these wraps. I just assumed that the name implied the horizontal layering pattern. But, because of the process being hand-done, the inconsistencies could appear from time-to-time.

The first real drum kit I ever laid hands on was a Ruby Strata kit. I remember the pattern on it was very open like your Blue Strata drums. It had a alot of red and a lot of black open swirls -very little white. Since then, most of the Stratas I have seen have the tighter patterns with an occasional open swirl.

And this is another reason why, sometimes, matched kits really are matched!Burger Kin

And that's yet another really open version of Strata -very similar (except blue) as to the Ruby Strata pattern kit from my distant past.

Maybe there were consistent differences between early and late Strata wraps?

Early = more open pattern....

Late = tighter pattern....?

:rolleyes: More shootin' the breeze....

Y'know, it's kinda funny to me, that as I look at these more closely, I'm getting to be LESS of the mind that they were a cheaper, less desirable wrap or that they were inconsistently made and full of "errors".

A deal on a not-so-popular pattern doesn't seem like a good marketing move. Plenty of other ways to cut costs (hardware & shell interiors, etc.) than to mess with the "eye-candy". For the market demographic of parents buying for kids and beginners - looks count for a lot.

Of the ones I have - that Blue, as well as 3 Golds - they all fit into the realm of what Strata is. So my thinking is coming around to the idea that Strata wraps are EXACTLY what the manufacturer intended. I think they're supposed to be like they are. - - Some of them aren't a far cry from the Slingy Agates I've seen - in other words, the design elements weren't new, really.

If I understand my circumference math, and square inches, that 13"x9" Blue Strata has 367+ square inches of strata/swirl (967+ sq. in. for the 22x14 kick) - the "mother blocks" must be pretty huge - working with such fluid materials, in such quantities - sliced into such thin sheets is bound to result a lot of variants - but the broad to narrow bits exist in all of my drums and "beget" each other sooner of later in the wrap/block. Despite the variables, they're all the same.

Slice a cucumber in any size or direction, regardless of how the look varies, it's still a cucumber Yes Sir

Unfortunately, our conjecture will only take us so far - CryBaby

It's all speculation. But it IS a fact that the Standard line was sold at a lower price because it was made less expensively. The Standard lugs were made smooth because there was less buffing labor involved than with the Classic lugs. The pedals are obviously very simplistic -manufacturing-wise. I would totally understand a buyer working for Ludwig looking for some less expensive alternatives to the wraps and finishes of the Classic line, too.

As far as "errors"....Well, let's change that to "inconsistencies" Again, the way the colors combine is relatively predictable, but there were occasional examples that stood out.

I love the Strata wraps. I agree they are one of the coolest looking ones out there. But, at the same time, if I put myself in the position of wrap-manufacturer, then the Oyster finishes would probably be priced higher than the Stratas in my catalog. And, I'm fairly sure that the process to make a sparkle wrap is slightly more involved than some other style wraps, too -certainly "blue mist" is less expensive than blue sparkle, too. But, I think the process of making a Strata wrap is similar to that of making an Oyster wrap -except with possibly less expensive chemical/colors used in the Strata and maybe a slightly different blending technique employed.

It's Time!

It's time to put up a Ludwig Standard section for the main web site!

I will be thinking about this in the next few days and will be adding some tid-bits from this post as well as some other posts that are around here.

I get enough questions about serial numbers and why the Standard numbers do not fit the serial number chart.

That plus all of the catalog and finish scans I already have will make a nice section.

Then we can start putting snares and sets up with the years and have a documenting system in one place.

So if any of you want to do some work and provide any text or information then please do so. If you have images and or scans, then send them to me with your credit/source.

Thanks

David

My 1971 Ludwig Standard Catalog literally just arrived in the mail twenty-five minutes ago. Talk about timing. I'm sure you already have it, but if you need scans or the actual original, let me know. I have no problem sending you what you need to make this happen. Thanks and thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS mc-j - Could it be that your starting this thread helped to further inspire the Ludwig Standard cause ??? I look forward to your sharing more thoughts and what you learn from the '71 catalog Cool1

Ultra-Thanks O Wise Webmaster Clapping Happy2Clapping Happy2Clapping Happy2 May a new Standard section help to answer and bring resolution to all of our questions Excited

Having a one-stop spot to find info is a dream come true!

I wish we had a bowing down "we're not worthy" smiley - I'd put one up now in your honor.

BowingBowing

Always striving for perfection.

David