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1920's Ludwig Shell Question Last viewed: 16 hours ago

Posts: 9 Threads: 1

Hi, I recently picked up a 4x14" 6lug Ludwig Universal. I know it isn't worth much, but i got it cheap, and i'd like to make a player out of it. The hoops are shot, somebody drilled holes in them and they're pretty badly rusted. So, I picked up some used nickel plated flat hoops to replace them. On the Universal model, the strainer attaches only to the top hoop, and it isn't working very well. I'd hate to ruin a nice set of hoops by drilling them to accept a strainer that will just frustrate me. So, i might buy an old (1920's era Ludwig) strainer to mount to the shell. I could use an original vent hole and have to drill one hole. Would this further degrade the value? I'm not a collector and plan to play it, but i don't want to completely devalue the drum by drilling it if that's the case.

Another question about the shell. I was expecting (since its a 6lug Universal) to get a thin NOB shell with single folded bearing edges. Well, its a 2 piece shell with 2 bends in the bearing edges, but, the edge isn't soldered to the shell, its just bent twice, goes perpendicular to the shell, and just stops. Can I assume that this is a heavy shell?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 392 Threads: 30

Zach94 - Sounds like it’s a 1924 through 1928 model. By 1927 the catalogues were mentioning the “finest grade brass”, “spun”, “double bead in the center”, “turned over at outer edges” etc. This was a 6 lug model and had that type of strainer for that five year period.

See them here:

[urlhttp://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_snare_drum_catalog_pages.html[/url]

My advice is to restore it the best you can. Keep the original hoops, because on the ones I’ve seen the top hoop had the logo on it. Sounds like the 2 piece shell to me.

Cool1

“In fact your pedal extremities are a bit obnoxious”. – Fats Waller
Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 160 Threads: 26

I think if you use 20' original Ludwig strainer, it won't devalue much.

or increase the value because it's upgrade.

but do you use vent hole as one of the strainer holes? It sounds strange.

how about butt side? Is it replace against the vent hole?

I don't know about the shell. Doesn't heavy 2 piece mean 2 piece shell?

before that the seam is not in the center bead I believe.

Posted on 15 years ago
#3
Posts: 9 Threads: 1

From 510

My advice is to restore it the best you can. Keep the original hoops, because on the ones I’ve seen the top hoop had the logo on it. Sounds like the 2 piece shell to me.Cool1

the original (i think) hoops aren't in good shape. Somebody drilled holes in them (4 each) to mount something. Also, there is no Ludwig logo anywhere on the drum as far as i can tell, nothing on the top hoop, nothing on the shell. It is definitely a 2pc shell, i can see the seam + solder on the inside, it just threw me off that the bearing edges are double bent, but aren't soldered to the shell.

Quoted post

I think if you use 20' original Ludwig strainer, it won't devalue much.or increase the value because it's upgrade.but do you use vent hole as one of the strainer holes? It sounds strange.how about butt side? Is it replace against the vent hole?I don't know about the shell. Doesn't heavy 2 piece mean 2 piece shell?before that the seam is not in the center bead I believe.

i mentioned using a vent hole because the drum has a vent hole (just a hole, no grommet) between the lugs, and i could use a hole that is already there, beneath the current strainer, to mount a different strainer. I'd probably just keep the original butt side, since its pretty narrow, narrower than most that i've seen and i wouldn't want unused holes.

Posted on 15 years ago
#4
Posts: 1334 Threads: 235

First of all it's a 6-lugger so tuning is going to be a pain...I'd get a nice 8 or 10 lugger and use that as they will tune up and sound much better (in my opinion)...6 luggers are shelf drums (in my opinion)...I have a number of 6-luggers but I collect all of the sizes/models so they are part of a collection and don't get played.

Mike Curotto

Posted on 15 years ago
#5
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From Mike Curotto

First of all it's a 6-lugger so tuning is going to be a pain...I'd get a nice 8 or 10 lugger and use that as they will tune up and sound much better (in my opinion)...6 luggers are shelf drums (in my opinion)...I have a number of 6-luggers but I collect all of the sizes/models so they are part of a collection and don't get played.Mike Curotto

Mike when i had my 6 lugger 6 1/2 x14 it was the perfect punk drum loud an obnoxious, meaning i agree with you, i wasn't very pleasing to my ear! but it looked good! now the 8 and now 10 lug versions as you stated much better sounding!!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 15 years ago
#6
Posts: 189 Threads: 35

I have 2 20's luddy NOB 6 luggers and they are my favorite drums. Super easy to tune, and a wide range of tones. I like coated emperors best....

-64 Ludwig Black Oyster Classic kit 22,13,16
-65 Leedy BDP 22,13,16
-65 Ludwig WMP Clubdate 20,12,14
-66 Ludwig Red sparkle Downbeat
-60's Gretsch RB Green Glass 22,13,16
Lots of cymbals, snares and orphans, old and newish
Posted on 15 years ago
#7
Posts: 392 Threads: 30

From Zach94

the original (i think) hoops aren't in good shape. Somebody drilled holes in them (4 each) to mount something. Also, there is no Ludwig logo anywhere on the drum as far as i can tell, nothing on the top hoop, nothing on the shell. It is definitely a 2pc shell, i can see the seam + solder on the inside, it just threw me off that the bearing edges are double bent, but aren't soldered to the shell.

Zach94 - There was an early strainer that attached to the top hoop on some Ludwig snares. I haven’t researched it, but maybe that is why you have holes in the hoops. Photos would help us here. I think Mike Corotto would know something about those old hoop attached strainers.

Below is a link to the type of strainer that attached to the hoop.

Here's the limk:

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/other_stuff/bill_ludwigiii/ludwig_1912_7.jpg

:)

“In fact your pedal extremities are a bit obnoxious”. – Fats Waller
Posted on 15 years ago
#8
Posts: 9 Threads: 1

Thanks guy!

I don't think the extra holes were from a previous strainer, there are 4 on the top hoop, 4 on the bottom hoop, spaced out over about 3-4 inches. I was thinking maybe a harness mount or something. I'm not too worried about the sound, I wanted an open, sensitive snare. I'm thinking a Fiberskyn 3 Ambassador to warm it up without muffling th overtones.

Posted on 15 years ago
#9
Posts: 392 Threads: 30

Without a logo, a 6 lugger with that shell and original steel hoops (the Ludwig & Ludwig logo would have been on the top hoop) might be one from the very first years of the “All Metal Separate Tension” model and not a Universal model (the Universal logo would have been on the top hoop). The year would depend on what the original strainer was. By 1918 the strainer would likely have been a P-338 but before that it was a different strainer. The bearing edge fold back would have been soldered though. How do we know it's a Ludwig? Again photos would help.

Cool1

“In fact your pedal extremities are a bit obnoxious”. – Fats Waller
Posted on 15 years ago
#10
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