I apologize if this has been discussed previously. I looked and couldn't find anything.
Why is it that some (most) Supra's practically have the chrome falling off the shell and others look as good as the day they left the factory? I'm not talking about a brass shell, just the "Ludalloy".
I have a '71 5x14 (I'm the original owner) and the chrome is as solid as when I bought it. It's traveled, gigged alot, has a couple of scratches, but the chrome is solid. Then, I see others with extensive pitting & peeling. Was there multiple manufacturing sites/methods used to produce these? Or was the quality control just poor and I got lucky?
Just curious.
Thanks!
ddrum
Kits:
'67 Ludwig BOP(22,12,13,14,16, 5x14 & 5.5 x 14)
'92 Premier Signia Sapphire (22,12,13,16, 5x14)
'90's Ludwig Classic Birch Silver Sparkle (20 & 22,10,12,14, 5 x 14)
'05 Pearl Retrospec, WMP (22,10,12,13,14,14,16, 5 x 14)
Roland TD-12 (expanded)
New arrival: 2010 Ludwig Classic Maple, Gold Glass Glitter, 8 x 12, 16 x 16, 16 x24, 6.5 x 14 (very shiny)
Too many snare drums, too many cymbals (can you ever really have too many?)
Posted on 14 years ago
#1
I put chrome polish on my 1963 Supra the day I brought it home and occassionally even since. It lived at the beach from more than 20 years and still has virtually no pitting. I think the polish protected it. Yes, we have discussed this before...see: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=12643
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
This subject is always worthy of ongoing discussion(it's perhaps one of the most common asked questions concerning Supraphonics). The pitting is a mystery to me also.I have two(2) 1965 Supraphonics that are 'PITLESS' but by the same token I have a newer Monroe,NC Supraphonc thats already looking like it could use some good acne medication.
Posted on 14 years ago
#3
I put chrome polish on my 1963 Supra the day I brought it home and occassionally even since. It lived at the beach from more than 20 years and still has virtually no pitting. I think the polish protected it. Yes, we have discussed this before...see: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=12643
Thanks GG. I wax mine every so often as well as I did the day the picked it up. I think you've hit on it...a good possibility anyway. 40 years old and still shines as new! Thanks for the link to the old thread.
ddrum
Kits:
'67 Ludwig BOP(22,12,13,14,16, 5x14 & 5.5 x 14)
'92 Premier Signia Sapphire (22,12,13,16, 5x14)
'90's Ludwig Classic Birch Silver Sparkle (20 & 22,10,12,14, 5 x 14)
'05 Pearl Retrospec, WMP (22,10,12,13,14,14,16, 5 x 14)
Roland TD-12 (expanded)
New arrival: 2010 Ludwig Classic Maple, Gold Glass Glitter, 8 x 12, 16 x 16, 16 x24, 6.5 x 14 (very shiny)
Too many snare drums, too many cymbals (can you ever really have too many?)
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
My 1980 402 has no pitting but flakes of chrome have come off the rim where rimshotted (is this a word?)
Gary
1970 WMP Star
1971 Gretsch
1976 Camco
1972 Slingerland
1982 Yamaha 9000 RC
FVF custom kit
AD Drums custom kit
RCI acrylic kit
Arbiter Flats Pro
Ludwig402, Premier2000, Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute, Ahead COB,
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Word I heard was there was QC sloppiness in the prep before plating.
It was an acid solution the shells were cleaned in, and there were inconsistencies in that area.
Just the word on the street...... I got it from a cat in-the-know, but I won't quote him..... he'll probably be along after a bit to add to this.
Kev
Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Word I heard was there was QC sloppiness in the prep before plating.It was an acid solution the shells were cleaned in, and there were inconsistencies in that area.Just the word on the street...... I got it from a cat in-the-know, but I won't quote him..... he'll probably be along after a bit to add to this.Kev
The inside of my shell is black ink stamped with "Reliable Anti Gavlinized". I'm guessing the last part of the last word because the stamp trails off. Agian, maybe I got lucky and it came from the 'good' supplier. I had a 2000 model that pitted and had some minor flaking. You would think that with todays technology and the given fact that there are issues with the chrome application, that this would have been corrected. I can't recall seeing a Rodgers and Slingerland chrome snare with this issue. Different base metal?
ddrum
Kits:
'67 Ludwig BOP(22,12,13,14,16, 5x14 & 5.5 x 14)
'92 Premier Signia Sapphire (22,12,13,16, 5x14)
'90's Ludwig Classic Birch Silver Sparkle (20 & 22,10,12,14, 5 x 14)
'05 Pearl Retrospec, WMP (22,10,12,13,14,14,16, 5 x 14)
Roland TD-12 (expanded)
New arrival: 2010 Ludwig Classic Maple, Gold Glass Glitter, 8 x 12, 16 x 16, 16 x24, 6.5 x 14 (very shiny)
Too many snare drums, too many cymbals (can you ever really have too many?)
Posted on 14 years ago
#7
You got it - the Luddy is an aluminum alloy, which introduces issues with the chrome plating process.
Posted on 14 years ago
#8
I've always heard that the early Ludalloy Supras were plated at several different plating companies--some got it down better than others. As said, there's an inherent problem with chrome plating & aluminum.........marko
Posted on 14 years ago
#9
