Howdy - Completely do-able project. I made this one using a vintage Ludwig 6.5"x14" 3-ply mahogany shell.

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/wss4-1.jpg[/IMG]

It's an up-side down shot of the drum, but you get the idea. The layout for the strainers is a pure bee-atch! Measure twice... drill once.

John

Good thread.

Nice drum Purdie.

Questions:

Do Ludwig SS Snares have typical snare beds?

Are the snare beds shallower or smaller on the metal shells?

Is there less snare after buzz on the SS's.

I think I want one.

Are "new" SS mechanisms available?

Do they come with hole layout diagram?

end of questions..........whew.

Thanks Guys

Thanks a lot man, I guess I should get to ordering that shell!Clapping Happy2

> "green glass drum" Good thread. Nice drum Purdie.

I wanted to build that drum (a wood super-sensitive) for many years, just never seemed to get around to it. But, here it is!

> Questions: Do Ludwig SS Snares have typical snare beds?

Yes, they do! A lot of guys converted them to conventional strainers because the SS strainers require a little finesse to set-up properly. Like a Dyna, it needs to be set-up right.

>Are the snare beds shallower or smaller on the metal shells?

I never measured, but they look the same as on the Supra's.

> Is there less snare after buzz on the SS's.

Tuned properly, there should be none. Remember, this is designed to be a 'concert orchestra' snare drum. Think: dry, articulate, crisp, military sounding... all those words describe the sound of a SS. You've heard orchestral snares a thousand times, -that's- the sound!

> I think I want one.

Every drummer should have at least one in the arsenal.

> Are "new" SS mechanisms available?

They come up for sale on ebay all the time.

> Do they come with hole layout diagram?

No, you're screwed! I had to measure the strainers very carefully and then make my own template. It wasn't easy. If you think it through, you'll be fine. Just give yourself good vertical and lateral center-lines to work from and it will be fine. I used peel and stick paper to make my template, then I matched it to corresponding layout lines on the shell, (I used blue painters tape on the shell for drawing purposes) and I stuck it in place. I simply followed my own layout for drilling the holes. Thankfully, they went on just right. I didn't have to elongate any holes to make up for errors. Take your time. Check yourself over and over, leave nothing to chance. Once you drill a hole into a shell... there's a hole in the shell!

> end of questions..........whew.

Whew, is right! If you thought it was hard writing them out... try answering them all! LOL

John

Thank You Sirs

Very cool project John! The SS mechanism on a 3 ply mahogany shell seems like the best of both worlds. Like a wood Dynasonic in a parallel Ludwig universe.

I have a Black Beauty 5 incher and a COL 6.5, both SuperSensitives, they are fine drums. Neither one of them liked a G1 head though. You would think a drumhead is a drumhead is a drumhead when comparing coated single ply heads. At least I did. the drums however, did not.

Follow the above advice, use care in your layout. Don't drill ANYTHING without checking it out over and over and over. You cant unring a bell.

You know, it's funny you should mention heads... I had this conversation with Mike Layton and we both agreed that for some reason, the heads that sound the best on Supra's and Super Sensitives are the original plastic Ludwig heads that came with the drums! Whether it's Remo, or Evans, or whatever replacement head you use, none of them ever seem to sound quite as good as the original Ludwig heads. Go figure.

John

P.S. - I'm only talking about heads made at the Ludwig factory, not the asian made crap they're using on the modern imported kits.

John