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Bought a Ludwig Hammered Bronze 6.5x14 snare drum

Posts: 417 Threads: 22

I posted this over at Cymbalholic, and turn to this communit, too, for help.

As the title of the topic says, I just bought a used Ludwig Hammered Bronze supra, 6.5x14". I haven't played it much yet, but it sounds unbelievable. It came with a coated Emperor on top, but I switched to coated Ambassador immediately.

I was inspired to look for one of these snare drums, having seen the one on offer stateside here in the Marketplace. Also, I did a gig just recently here in Stockholm, playing percussion in three pieces by American minimalist composer Arnold Dreyblatt, and during the rehearsals (and on the actual gig), I played a very nice 14x5 Supraphonic snaredrum, which I fell in love with. Having mainly Sonor snare drums, I decided to go for a Ludwig and almost immediately found this bronze supra.

Now, I have some questions regarding it that I hope you can answer for me:

I,d like to date this drum. The serial number is 3239867. After a quick look around on the internet, I would say that my drum dates from the late 1980s. Is that correct? And is that a good date for these drums? I understand that the earlier ones have smaller hammering.

Is the butt end original for this kind of drum? It's the p-32, I believe.

Also, shouldn't this drum have a tone control? There are two holes on the top section of the panel to the left of the badge. I guess a tone control should go here. Will the readily available Ludwig tone control spare part fit this drum?

How about the snares? They are not original, right? What kind of snares came with these drums originally?

Lastly, all screws on throw-off and butt end are hex screws. Surely, this cannot be original, can it?

Yeah, I guess that's it. Here are the pictures:

[img]http://web.comhem.se/inventions/downloads/LHB_2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://web.comhem.se/inventions/downloads/LHB_SN.jpg[/img]

[img]http://web.comhem.se/inventions/downloads/LHB_SW.jpg[/img]

[img]http://web.comhem.se/inventions/downloads/LHB_TO.jpg[/img]

/Magnus

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

The butt end is correct the hex bolts are not factory it would have come with a

phillips screw.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 532 Threads: 29

HI!!

IMHO, Looks more like a 90´s

Regarding hex bolts , pls take a pic from the inside.... I got all my supras with hex bolts (phillips type cross)+cup washers.....

Exterior screws of butt plate (P32) and the two point strainer (P85) are not original.

Wires looks like after-market type.

You can find easily original round knob muffler on flea-bay, new or used

Good luck!


Ludwig '67 Classic B.D.P.
Ludwig '79 Classic Pro-beat
C. A. F. '72 New Sonic "The Argentinean Ludwig"
A bunch of Ludwig snares..... + Dyna & P.Tone.
and always trying to recover some orphan drums!!
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 185 Threads: 18

I have the same drum ! Serial # 3240057. I bought it new from local drum shop, December of 1989. Don't know for sure how long it had been on the shelf at the shop, but I would say mine is a very late 80's.

Funny, I took the muffler off and promptly lost it over the years.

Everything looks original except the butt and strainer screws as previous posters pointed out.

Jeff
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 417 Threads: 22

Hi all,

And thanks for your informative replies. And a particular thank you to Tubthumper for the serial nr info: excellent!

Heraldo: I just ordered a tone control from eBay.

vintagemore: I guess I can live without the original Phillips screws, but the hex bolts are a tad inconvenient.

Best to you all,

Magnus

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 538 Threads: 84

real nice drum. i have the same thing but in a smooth shell. most people take out the tone control so its not uncommon to get a snare w/o one.

i also say 80's...maybe early 90's. in 1997 they stopped putting the t.c. in their drums (but could be ordered as a option) when i got my kit in 97 i was asked that question.

i like all years of ludwig snares, but to me i feel the 80's snare shells had a little extra something. maybe its just me.

they feel like the shells were a bit thicker and the plating was as well. just a bigger beefy sound. mainly i think its due the the wide flange at the bearing edge. you can see it on the bottom pic. i think that's what really make those 80's snare snare sound killer.

http://www.drummerfish.weebly.com for drum parts, drum promos , swag, promo media and more for sale
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 417 Threads: 22

Hey drummerfish, thanks for interesting comments about 80s Ludwig drums.

/Magnus

Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 1212 Threads: 37

Great drum. I love mine....

_________________________

MY Dirty Little Collection
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
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