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Does a "minting error" make a Ludwig Supraphonic snare more valuable?

Posts: 4 Threads: 1

I'm new to the forum and new to drums (well, not exactly. I owned and played a set of Whitehall drums back in junior high in the '70s, but I think all that does is makes ME vintage!)

I have what I believe is a 1968 Ludwig Supraphonic 400 snare drum. It was my brother's drum and I got it after he passed away about 5 years ago. It's gone largely unused up to now and I decided to clean it up and see what I could learn about it. Though I have just started cleaning it, I have learned a few things, and certainly a bunch of it from this forum.

So far, my research has shown that it's a very popular snare drum, and has been for many decades. Dating it has been made easy for me with a date stamp of September 25, 1968. The keystone badge has a serial number that corresponds to the serial number charts for that era. It has "A-G" stamped on the inside of the shell, which also seems to be typical of that year.

The interesting thing that I found, is that the A-G stamped on the inside of the shell has a bit of a misprint. The "G" is printed upside down in relation to the "A". Have you ever seen one like that before? How rare is it? Does it add to the value of the drum? I've attached a couple of pictures for you to see.

I'd love to hear your opinions on the drum and the "minting error".

Thanks,

Mike

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Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 2264 Threads: 83

I would say no, it doesn't add much if anything to the value. I just don't see someone paying bigger bucks for that but what do I know. :)

Welcome and yes Supras are the creme de la creme. And sorry about your brother. He had good taste though.

The greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. - Joyce Meyer
Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

Yours with no blistering and super clean without pitting problems,....is more valuable than the interest in minting errors. Although 400`s aren`t rare,....yours condition is....

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

Without the fingerprints, that looks like it just came out of the box brand new.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

I agree with all the above post.

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
#5
Posts: 6365 Threads: 223

Welcome to the forum!

First, condolences on the passing of your brother.

Next, as previously mentioned, the backwards "G" doesn't add any value, other than the circumstances surrounding how it got that way! The big value in you drum is the overall condition of the shell. It looks great! Your research of these drums should show that it was very common for the chrome to flake of the drum, in addition to lots of pitting. It's obvious your drum wasn't used much, explaining why the finish looks so good. I was given a 1968 (dated NOV 1 1968) Supra as payment for computer work I had done for a client. It had been stored away in a closet and also had some type of smoke film on it, preserving the chrome. I cleaned it up and it looked great! Best of luck with your restoration!

Mark

Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 1311 Threads: 9

Agreed with all the above.Ludwig produced drums with all sorts of anomilies back in the 60's.The upside down G stamp, may have more than likely ,been the result of a liquid lunch.Some drums left the factory without any date stamps.Clean,play and repeat often.Welcome to the forum.

Steve B

Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 4 Threads: 1

Thanks for the comments. My brother was mentally handicapped and working on this brings back memories of how much he enjoyed banging on it to his favorite songs.

Yes, it seems in very good shape compared to others I've seen. I've just started cleaning it - not wanting to rush and mess something up, although those are likely my fingerprints - so I guess I should be more careful! It does have some minor pitting as super close up photos will show, but not bad. You can see in the photo that I've polished around the badge area, but not the rest. I think all the parts are there and they appear to be original, at least as far as I can tell.

Another question. I forgot to ask in my original post about the scribble next to the A-G. Could that be a signature mark from whomever assembled it, or just a random mark from the stamping process?

Thanks,

Mike

Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From mikedj

Thanks for the comments. My brother was mentally handicapped and working on this brings back memories of how much he enjoyed banging on it to his favorite songs.Yes, it seems in very good shape compared to others I've seen. I've just started cleaning it - not wanting to rush and mess something up, although those are likely my fingerprints - so I guess I should be more careful! It does have some minor pitting as super close up photos will show, but not bad. You can see in the photo that I've polished around the badge area, but not the rest. I think all the parts are there and they appear to be original, at least as far as I can tell.Another question. I forgot to ask in my original post about the scribble next to the A-G. Could that be a signature mark from whomever assembled it, or just a random mark from the stamping process?Thanks,Mike

the AG it stands for anti galvaic it's from the plater. The initial is probably the final inspector.

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
#9
Posts: 4 Threads: 1

I finally got the drum cleaned up - looks pretty good. The close up photos show there definitely is some pitting on the chrome in some places, a few scratch marks, and and a little rust on the strainer and rims, but no chrome peeling like many I've seen. Most of the lugs look good, but a couple have some pitting. And, near as I can tell from my limited research, all the parts look original. The only things I'm not sure about are the heads. It seems the Rockers drums were introduced in the late '70s, but I haven't found much info on Rockers heads. I'm not sure if they were introduced earlier or not.

Mike

Posted on 10 years ago
#10
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