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When did Ludwig switch to Chrome? Last viewed: 52 minutes ago

Posts: 121 Threads: 22

I'm sure the change over from nickle to chrome was gradual as they ran out of nickle stock. What years was the change over?

The reason I ask is that I just got done restoring a Jan 29, 1960 Transition Badge Pioneer. The lugs are nickle as is the bottom hoop and rods. The top hoop and rods are chrome. All are Ludwig and look original. Is it possible that during the assembly of this drum they ran out of 14 in 6 hole nickle hoops and put chrome hardware on top at the factory? The drum looks original. Had original bottom head and plastic end wires.

Here is the drum in question..

[IMG]http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k163/drumbum675/DSC06629.jpg[/IMG]

It is in beautiful condition (now)....was pretty ugly when I got it....

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 121 Threads: 22

By the way...I looked in the Ludwig book but wasn't able to find the answer....

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 141 Threads: 16

I believe chrome, or nickel was always an option when ordering from Ludwig in the 50s and 60s.

I know Ludwig shipped out COB and steel hoops on the same drum. It wouldn't surprise me if they also shipped out nickel and chrome on the same drum.

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

yes as was the case u could order either one nickle being the cheaper of the 2 till the 67 cat i believe you could get nickle to 65/66

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 121 Threads: 22

thanks guys

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

ive seen quite a few that had a few mix and match nickel/chrome. have heard from original owners that they came that way. ive also got a 60 trans badge pioneer that has some of both...

mike

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Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 1819 Threads: 153

From mlayton

ive seen quite a few that had a few mix and match nickel/chrome. have heard from original owners that they came that way. ive also got a 60 trans badge pioneer that has some of both...mike

I've got an early 60s 10x15 parade drum (got it from Shawn M) that has all nickel hardware except for the snare butt, the funny-shaped individual snare adjustment kind (2-hole variety, not 3) that came opposite the "classic" strainer. And although I can't be 100% sure, I do believe it came from the factory that way...

Sorry, don't have a picture available...

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 1334 Threads: 235

1929 chrome was first added to the Ludwig catalog...

Mike Curotto

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 63 Threads: 6

Nice looking snare!

I have Ludwig Pioneer snare dated Sep. 26, 1960...little "newer" than yours. It has the transition badge, NOB hoops..top and bottom, nickel plated lugs, strainer and butt plate. The strainer and butt plate have WFL stamped on them.

Mine has no tone control, dark finish, and an unpainted interior. The snare wires and bottom head are original to the drum as well.

So I guess it's hard to explain why Ludwig did what it did back then.

Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

seems like a few of us are working on 60 trans badge pioneers right now. i just put mine together this past weekend. mine is a march 7 1960 drum. has 4 stamps inside the clear mahogany interior. one of them is stamped 68,which probably explains the overkill on the others. mine has nickel lugs. nickel over brass hoops. but the original strainer and butt are chrome. i replaced the tension rods. mine also has no internal muffler. real deep snare beds.

in this pic, check out this strainer though. i read they only used this around 59-60. it is actually called a p85 large pioneer strainer. nothing like the p85 that came 10 years later or so. it is a three point strainer. dont see many of these.

like mentioned, hard to say why ludwig did what they did back in the day.

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Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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