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1969 Ludwig keystone badge brass supra Last viewed: 17 minutes ago

Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

ive had this one a while but just decided to clean it up nicely yesterday. thought I would share it with you all.

this is a 1969 Ludwig supraphonic with a brass shell. 727831 is the serial number. it has the b stamp behind the muffler. this is only the 2nd keystone badge model like this that I have run across. this drum came from the estate of 60's rogers endorser Russ Irwin. there are also a few of these out there with the b stamp that have the cut b/o badge. I previously owned one of those as well. these are seamless shells and do not have crimped beds unlike the cob models from the early 60's. correct for the period, it has chrome over steel hoops,ludwig script logo snare butt and a 12 hole black face p85 strainer. this one has a faint 1969 date stamp inside that is barely there. I was told that this drum was special ordered by Joe Cusatis for Mr. Irwin. I left the heads on it like it came to me. it has an older remo coated ambassador batter and an older remo clear diplomat snare side head. has the original Ludwig snare cords but some unknown 20 strand wires. also has the large round knob muffler. it looks and sounds great. sellers pic is included showing the b stamp.

mike

Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 3165 Threads: 969

VERY nice, Mike! Thanks for sharing.

Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

+1 with Gary,

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

If you're going to own a COB, that would be the one you want!

What do you figure, Mike? Old stock shell that was pulled and used for the custom order in 1969? I don't think Ludwig was even manufacturing chrome plated brass shells at that point in time. It had to be a raw shell that they pulled off the shelf, added 1969 beds, hardware and heads and out the door.

Really interesting drum with a cool history.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

well, the old shell theory was always what I assumed before I owned one. an old stock shell would have been crimped beds and have a seam and the inner lip facing inward towards the shell. these drums don't have any of that. they are seamless,lip is just like the alloy models and they do not have crimped beds. looks like Ludwig whipped up a few brass shells for the endorsers it appears.

thanks for the nice comments guys.

mike

Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

> looks like Ludwig whipped up a few brass shells for the endorsers it appears.

All the more rare and valuable if that's the case. It's worth dashing off an email to Bill III to ask if he has any memory or info about 'endorser COBs' in the late 60's. Can't be more than just a very few of them out there. 50 or less I would guess. Valuable drum, Mikey. Keeper for sure!

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 2010 Threads: 19

Very cool Mike. I'd love to own one of those.

So it's a spun shell like any other supra of the era? I'd guess the process is the same they'd just start with a sheet of brass instead of aluminum.

Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

right ko. it looks just like a ludalloy shell. its not even extremely heavy but feels heavier than the aluminum. I took some interior pics while I had it apart. let me size them down real quick and i'll post them.

mike

Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 6288 Threads: 375

Classic beauty, my friend!!

Kevin
Posted on 10 years ago
#9
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

some interior pics. some of the holes for the lugs are a little more rough and larger than normal.

mike

Posted on 10 years ago
#10
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