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1920's Ludwig Snare

Posts: 20 Threads: 5

Hi guys,

I picked up this drum off eBay, and just received it last night. Am I correct in assuming this is probably a special order 10-lug solid Mahogany drum (as described in the 1924 catalog)? Or is it possible this is Walnut?

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/ludwig_snaredrums/1924-ludwig-snare-drums-5.jpg[/IMG]

I haven't gotten a chance to take it apart yet to start cleaning, but from the outside everything looks very good. The strainer lever is the only thing not functioning right now. From what I can tell, I just have to get the runner piece back into both corresponding slots. There is a loose piece juggling around on the inside, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to figure out what it is when I can take it apart.

The only early vintage wooden drum I've cleaned up before was a 20's parade drum. What would you guys say would be the best way to clean this? Lots of grime on the hardware and shell.

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0574_zpsrowkpoxf.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0575_zpsq3cqhqaw.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0576_zps6c271i0b.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0577_zpsee67h3fl.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0578_zpsxvzhppui.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 9 years ago
#1
Posts: 20 Threads: 5

A few more pictures:

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0579_zps4huyg4mh.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0580_zpsmuzciphh.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0581_zpsvktp6wvv.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0582_zpssu4i4vko.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0583_zpskbkrwinc.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 9 years ago
#2
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Wow it's a real beauty, 10 lug drums were introduced around this time. my all metal 10 lug is from 1924. you drum was used as a marching drum hence the two holes in the top rim.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 9 years ago
#3
Posts: 6288 Threads: 375

Very pretty drum !!

I'd take the least aggressive method as possible to begin cleaning this one

T-shirts and soapy water to begin on the hardware.....see what that gets you.

I like Scott's Liquid Gold to start for wood shells.....

Just my two cents...

:):)

Kevin
Posted on 9 years ago
#4
Posts: 20 Threads: 5

From vintagemore2000

Wow it's a real beauty, 10 lug drums were introduced around this time. my all metal 10 lug is from 1924. you drum was used as a marching drum hence the two holes in the top rim.

The bottom hoop also happens to have 2 holes in it (as well as 2 holes by each snare bed), but they didn't line up with the top hoop.

So far I've cleaned all the tube lugs, tension rods, strainer pieces, hoops and shell. I'm missing one screw and washer for a lug if anyone has some period correct ones or knows of where to get some.

I also have to figure out how to fix the strainer lever since the piece that sits in the track is missing the back so it doesn't stay in.

Beyond that, the drum is all original and in fantastic shape. The nickel cleaned up very nicely and the wood is beautiful. Just lost a little bit of luster as compared to what sits under the rims. I may add a coat or two of tung oil. Anyone have thoughts on using that on old shells?

Posted on 9 years ago
#5
Posts: 20 Threads: 5

From kevins

Very pretty drum !!I'd take the least aggressive method as possible to begin cleaning this oneT-shirts and soapy water to begin on the hardware.....see what that gets you.I like Scott's Liquid Gold to start for wood shells.....Just my two cents...:):)

Thanks! I tried using soapy water at first, but the grime was caked on pretty thick in some spots. Luckily I work at a music store with a good repair staff so they helped with some ideas to find what worked.

For the hardware I've done so far I used their VERY mild acid bath that they chem clean brass instruments, and it got a lot of the grime off. I then spot buffed the rest of the way. The rims actually have a pretty good shine back to them, and the lugs and clips have more of a satin look.

I was using a super fine steel wool on the shell with no water or soap, but it barely got an dirt off, so I used a wood soap with it and it did a little better. Then I used some water and pumice and it got even more. Lastly I used some homemade bore oil that one of our techs uses for oiling wooden clarinets. It really looks much, much better than the start. Again, I'm considering tung oil to bring out the wood a bit more and as a protectant, but open to other ideas.

Posted on 9 years ago
#6
Posts: 681 Threads: 81

I probably wouldn't use tongue oil. A nice coat of wood wax should suffice. It will not only nourish the wood, but will also make it look great.

Posted on 9 years ago
#7
Posts: 401 Threads: 29

Appears to me as a walnut shell. Excellent drum!

Posted on 9 years ago
#8
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From bucks_9

The bottom hoop also happens to have 2 holes in it (as well as 2 holes by each snare bed), but they didn't line up with the top hoop.So far I've cleaned all the tube lugs, tension rods, strainer pieces, hoops and shell. I'm missing one screw and washer for a lug if anyone has some period correct ones or knows of where to get some.I also have to figure out how to fix the strainer lever since the piece that sits in the track is missing the back so it doesn't stay in.Beyond that, the drum is all original and in fantastic shape. The nickel cleaned up very nicely and the wood is beautiful. Just lost a little bit of luster as compared to what sits under the rims. I may add a coat or two of tung oil. Anyone have thoughts on using that on old shells?

The bottom holes are for a leg tie off.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 9 years ago
#9
Posts: 20 Threads: 5

Finished cleaning up the drum today. Fixed the bushing in the strainer so the lever works now, and got a screw for the last lug. I wound up using some wood wax for the shell and it seemed to help bring the finish out pretty nicely. Putting the heads back on the drum, the batter side happened to get a tear in it so I'm pretty bummed about that. I probably won't play it, so I may leave it as is, but debating if I want to get some replacements for it anyways.

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0597_zpsthhqokmx.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0599_zps92pf6w04.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0600_zpsgkndnhec.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0601_zpsqq6ro7cn.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0603_zps7op61oyg.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/bucksdrummer/10-08-05/IMG_0604_zpspkmzhite.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 9 years ago
#10
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