Hi all,

Here's the latest one to enter into the collection:

Mid-1920s Ludwig & Ludwig 5x15 10 lug/scroll DeLuxe Standard Model

This drum came to me from Ned at the Vintage Drum Center; it took about a year to do the deal but we finally made it happen.

This is going to be a special presentation.

We can all agree that the Ludwig & Ludwig DeLuxe scroll (wave) engraving era is 1919-1925 with 1919-23 being the 6-lug era DeLuxes and 1923-25 being the 8-lug era DeLuxes. We can all agree that the Ludwig & Ludwig DeLuxe 12 leaf floral engraving era is 1926-28 and we all know that this is also the beginning of the 10-lug era. This 5x15 10 lug/scroll (wave) engraved DeLuxe is right in the middle; a transitional drum if you will. So what happened, how could this be, a scroll engraved 8-lug era shell that should have 8 lugs but was drilled for 10 lugs? There are two scenarios that I can think of: 1. WFL Sr. was a frugal man and would never have scrapped a perfectly good un-drilled scroll engraved shell so when the 8-lug era ended this shell was drilled for 10 lugs and sold as is...2. Special order? L&L did do special orders so it is plausible that there was a left over un-drilled scroll engraved shell and someone wanted a 10 lug scroll engraved DeLuxe...3. This is where you add your opinion(s).

This drum came to me in pretty good condition. The shell needed a good cleaning and polishing as the lacquer was a bit discolored and faded. I discovered a very good product that cleans and polishes lacquer without stripping it, just don't rub too hard. The product is called Klasse All-in-One (Klasse USA 601 Van Ness Ave. Suite E3-842 San Francisco, CA 94102). You can find this product at any automotive paint store. I was able to restore the original lacquer to a nice, respectable luster without having to strip and re-lacquer therefore I was able to preserve the original finish on the shell. The Artgold hardware was in good shape and needed only a basic cleaning, polishing and touch up. Top and bottom calf heads and original James Snappi wires finished off this restoration.

Now for the fun part of this presentation.

One of my main goals in this vintage snare drum hobby is to eventually acquire every size and model DeLuxe/Black Beauty that Ludwig & Ludwig produced from 1919 to 1935-36 and as of this printing I am happy to announce that I am only a few DeLuxes short of this goal. Those of you that know me are aware of the fact that I like to collect "sets" of snare drums, e.g. 4x14, 5x14, 6.5x14 Standards; 4x14, 5x14, 6.5x14 Super-Ludwigs; 5x14, 6.5x14 Super-Sensitives; 4x15, 5x15, 6.5x15 Standards; 4x15, 5x15, 6.5x15 Super-Ludwigs etc...you get the idea. This 5x15 10 lug scroll engraved DeLuxe completed another "set" and with that I am happy (and a tad proud) to share with you photos of the following 1920s L&L 15" DeLuxes: 6 lug scroll engraved 4x15 (Universal-era/gold plated), 4x15, 5x15, (missing a 6.5x15)...8 lug scroll engraved 4x15, 5x15, 6.5x15...10 lug scroll engraved (transitional) 4x15, 5x15, 6.5x15...10 lug 12 pt. floral engraved 4x15, 5x15, 6.5x15. Any 6 lug scroll 6.5x15 DeLuxes out there in the vintage drum universe? Has anyone ever seen one? If any of you find one you know where I am.

Enjoy!

Mike Curotto