When I was younger (much younger) and owned and played a double-bass Ludwig set I ordered two of those and really liked them. I used the standard felt strip on the front sides and these on the back. What I liked about it was you could adjust the tension on it, which back then (70s) in the venues I played in we didn't mike the drums -- and accoustics of course would change from venue to venue, sometimes pretty drastically. So, adjustment was necessary and nice...

This is a link to what I had:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-LUDWIG-WFL-EXTERNAL-BASS-DRUM-MUFFLER-RIM-MOUNTED-/400406561033?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3a174109

No, IMO this is priced too high. I'm sure you could scrape one up somewhere for half of that...

Bill

Thanks for the input Bill. that is great. it's funny, these mufflers definitely went out of style but they seem pretty immediate and to the point. Clunky but easy to use. I've never tried them - so maybe I am missing something.

I have some internal baffling on my kick drum now. Maybe next time I change heads it would be worth exploring these.

-Ian

Hi Ian!

I have a few of these old mufflers in my collection (everything from a 1920's Ludwig to an early 70's Star). I still play with the old Star at every gig. I like the sound that can be obtained with a little fine tuning and I appreciate the extreme coolness aspect. I wouldn't part with mine for all the felt and pillows ever manufactured! Well, okay, maybe I'd trade my collection for just one autographed Charlie Watts' pillow!

Brian

The best thing I have found, though not adjustable, are the Remo Muff'l. They are available in many sizes. It is a foam ring that pressures against the head when the t-rods are turned. Look into it. They really aren't advertised very much.

Attached is a picture of my 1970 Ludwig Super Classic. Still has the original bass drum heads... both in great shape! The front has the original felt strip. No strip on the back. Instead, I use my original Ludwig bass drum muffler that I purchased in the late 60's! Yeah, I'm that old! Sorry I don't have a picture showing it attached. However, it works great, and, as already been said, is very adjustable for the amount of muffling you need/desire. I think this style is great!

Mark

I have one that I stick on the front of my Radio Kings, but it's just there for looks. It doesn't even touch the head.

When people ask about the "Pizza cutter looking thing" I them it's a hood ornament.

I'm adamantly opposed to muffling the bass drum....or any drums for that matter...though that's probably a subject for another thread all on its own.

I use one of the Chaffee things on my modern Pearl Kit. On my '65 Ludwig Superclassics I use felt strips. On my L&L '20s kit, I have one of the old hoop mounted mufflers. All three methods seem to do the trick. Some people — myself included — just like the sound of a muffled bass drum. Hard to argue with taste.

Best.

Stephen

Hey guys

Bondo - The Remo Muffl looks interesting - kind of like the Evans EQ system.

Mark - nice collection! that's quite a snare shelf in the back.

Brian - An autographed Charlie Watts pillow would be a pretty interesting thing to have - wouldn't really matter how it sounded - you'd have to use it. so, you have a 20s ludwig kit huh? I'd like to see that.

Richie - You don't ever muffle your kick drums? I can see that work for lots of type of music but there are certain rock recordings where that could make things difficult. I do think that people can easily lean on muffling as a crutch where a little extra tuning time would have been a better solution

-Ian

stephen - you have a 20s kit too? I'm starting to get jealous...

-Ian