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Deciphering Ludwig date labels

Posts: 6365 Threads: 223

I've got a Ludwig Super Classic and would like to know if there's anyone on VDF that can decipher the date code on the paper tag in my 16x16 floor tom. Ludwig-dude perhaps? Here are the details:

14x22, SN 769027 with date stamp "Jun 3 1970"

9x13, SN 823949 with date stamp "Nov 9 1970"

16x16, SN 900260, no date stamp, but now has the paper label with the date and model number. The date shows "60717", with a model number of 950, which is a 16x16 floor tom.

Looking at the serial number progression and the date code of "60717", I'm naturally inclined to believe this is from 1971.

Anyone ever figure these date codes out? Sure would have just been easier to stamp the shell!

As the serial numbers suggest, the separate shells sat for some time in the factory before being assembled into a kit!

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 141 Threads: 29

I have a similar situation with a 10x13 ludwig thermo glass concert tom the sn#920500 (pointed badge). Odd thing is it is not pre-drilled for a tom holder. It 3-ply with re-rings. The badge grommet doesn't look altered in any way. Still a mystery, hope someone can shed some light. The label was barely attached to drum so I removed it. Thanks, Steve

70's Ludwig Blue Sparkle 12/13/16/18/22
70's Ludwig Natural Maple 12/13/16/18/22
65 Ludwig Silver Sparkle 13/16/20
70's Ludwig Walnut Cortex 12/13/16/22
Snares; 60's Acrolite/70's Acrolite/70's Black Beauty/
70's Natural Maple
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 586 Threads: 22

I have been puzzling over this myself and have a thread going on another forum. I responded to the original poster of this thread over there because he posted both places.

There does not appear to be a general agreement about the nature of the date codes. The labels appear to be from the 1971-72 time frame, with date stamps generally replaced by date codes over time, despite some overlap. Ludwig Standards used the same labels and date stamp/date code during the same time period. Expanding the study of date codes to include Standard drums increases the number of reports, but has not yet added clarity.

I have not yet been able to decipher the logic used in the date code, if it is a date code at all. As the original poster suggests, many have postulated that the year is inbedded in the date code because most have 7s and 1s or 2s in them - making declarations of '71 and '72 manufacturing years quite tempting. I am hesitant to draw this conclusion until I can explain all of the numbers in the codes.

If anyone has Ludwig drums with date codes, please share your information with me. I have about 40 reports of drums with both date codes and serial numbers, so I hope to see some patterns emerging soon.

Rick

Collecting information about the following for ongoing research projects:
Gretsch drums with serial numbers,
Ludwig Keystone and B/O badge drums with serial numbers and date stamps,
Ludwig Standards from 1968-73, and
Ludwigs with paper labels from 1971-72
www.GretschDrumDatingGuide.com
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
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