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1929 5x14 L&L STREAKED OPAL NEW-ERA SENSITIVE Last viewed: 1 minute ago

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Hi all,

Here's the latest to enter into the collection:

1929 5x14 Ludwig & Ludwig Streaked Opal New-Era Sensitive

This drum came out of the Fresno, CA area from the grandson of the original owner. A special thanks goes to my friend and fellow collector, Dana Bentley, for offering me this drum. I always appreciate it when someone alerts me to, refers me to or offers me a drum for sale so keep those cards and letters coming folks!

As we all know, the New-Era Sensitive Model was a short-lived endeavor that was never catalogued and was only mentioned in the 1929 Ludwig Drummer magazine. Streaked Opal was around from 1930-1935 and is one of L&L's rarest finishes. So this combination makes for an ultra-rare drum.

Man this little puppy was a mess when I got it. There was dirt, cob webs, spiders, cocoons and moss growing on top of the already rusted and patina'd nob hardware and Streaked Opal wrap. This restoration was a challenge but I knew there was a diamond in the rough here.

The shell/wrap:

The Streaked Opal was in very good shape structurally but had layers and years of accumulated schmutz on it. My usual regimine of GooGone, Maguire's Plastic Cleaner/Polish and a lot of elbow grease did the trick. The clear maple interior was in great shape and only needed a basic cleaning after all of the "vegetation" was removed.

The hardware:

The nob hardware was a mess. A thank you goes out to Les and Brian at Avenue Plating for cleaning up the tube lugs and getting them ready for polishing. The rest of the hardware I was able to take care of myself but it wasn't easy. (Simple Green, full strength, is a great product for cleaning hardware before you start to polish). Both Sensitive mechanisms work perfectly, one set of wires was missing but a trip to my parts stash handled that situation. The tension rods were completely rusted out so another trip to my parts stash was needed. A nice set of era-correct calf heads rounded out this restoration. Enjoy!

Mike Curotto

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
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As always, Wow.

What a Beauty...

Proudly Endorsing Drums and Cymbals

Posted on 14 years ago
#2
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Once again,Mike, you show as another show stopper, WOW!! hey is it a solid maple shell??

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188
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Very similar to the one on the front cover of the John Aldridge book, Guide to Vintage Drums.

Man! I just noticed the flesh hoop on the bottom head. That's quite substantial.

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
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From vintagemore2000

Once again,Mike, you show as another show stopper, WOW!! hey is it a solid maple shell??

Yep, solid maple it is.

Mike Curotto

Posted on 14 years ago
#5
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From O-Lugs

Very similar to the one on the front cover of the John Aldridge book, Guide to Vintage Drums.Man! I just noticed the flesh hoop on the bottom head. That's quite substantial.

Yes, same finish but a different model.

Mike Curotto

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 1247 Threads: 204
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I'm trying to see how that strainer system works..the snares are internal?? Amazing drum...Congrats!

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 5227 Threads: 555
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Its a so-so drum mike...Laughing H..just joking around...Wow is what i say what a cool drum..Do you see that matching bass drum on ebay a few weeks back sold for less than 350.00...Mikey

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 5227 Threads: 555
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The bass drum was a Leedy 14x28 almost the same finish ..See photos from listing...Mikey

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 6288 Threads: 375
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From Mike Curotto

Yes, same finish but a different model.Mike Curotto

It's gotta sound great !!!

Congrats !

Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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