I just found the same drum about a month ago. Let me say this first. I am a player rather than a collector. My drum had no strainer. It used to have the hoop mount style. I looked for a 338 with no luck. I got a generic piccolo strainer from a forum member and put it on there. (yes, I drilled.) I put 12 strand Puresounds on the bottom and an Aquarian Focus X as batter. The drum sounds GREAT! I also have a 1920 6.5x14 NOB Ludwig that is my go to snare. I don't care what Mike says, this drum sounds better than my Dunnett Ti, my Pork pie BOB, my RK , my Ludwig '65 6.5x14 3ply and many other drums I have put up against it. The only drum I have that sounds better, is a 1928 5x14 BB.

I'll get pictures of it, disassembled, tonight. I thought Ludwig because it looks exactly like a universal from the 24-28 period because of the strainer and flat hoops. When I got the snare, it didn't have the logo on the hoop which threw me off...But, it's definitely a 2 piece shell with a double thick bead. I don't think anybody else made a shell like that.

Zach94 - At this point I feel your right on track. Sounds like atomicmorganic has a good handle on this. Ludwig did use flat steel hoops before the single flange type too.

:)

Hey guys, here are a couple pics of the shells. Obviously not in perfect shape, but at this point i'm just more curious what this is.

Here are a couple overall pics of the shell.

[IMG]http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8319/photo4kw.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1046/photo6dv.jpg[/IMG]

Here you can see the backside of the bearing edge, folded over and not soldered to the circumference of the shell. You can also see the seam of the 2 piece shell at the bottom of the picture.

[IMG]http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/9538/photo5sa.jpg[/IMG]

I apologize for the low quality pics, just some quick phone pictures.

Remember, it was only my opinion...

Mike Curotto

Mike; I know you have a hundred drums that sound better than my 6.5 NOB 6 lugger. But for a great workhorse snare , this one is hard to beat. Or easy to beat. You know what I mean. And this is just my opinion as well.

hi! i have the same drum. a 6-lug Ludwig Universal, engraved top hoop and hoop attached strainer, which causes 2 holes only (!!!) in the top hoop.

the drum sounds amazing, it is quite light in weight compared to a same era SuperLudwig i have. i played a few gigs with it. it tunes up alright (using a fyberskyn head). the only pain is to keep the snare wires in great working order due to the not too stable throwoff system. works well though for jazz and light grooves.

i also still have the original gut wires and some original calfskin heads. i am thinking about setting it up Original again, cause i don't use it THAT much live. would be great as original on the shelf.....

here's some pics...

mschrant - Nice one! Wow, you sure got it to shine! Looks like a nice example of that model drum.

well, i got it cleaned up as best as possible, I think i'm going to keep my eye out for a strainer i can use on it, and use some better condition hoops i bought. After cleaning, it still doesn't say Ludwig (or anything else) anywhere on the drum.

I thought the 2pc heavy NOB shell that wasn't soldered at the edge would be more interesting...

well, got it playable, ambassador over ambassador with some puresounds. This thing sounds phenomenal! So much body for a 4" deep drum, a nice musical ring and very sensitive. I'm not sure what the problems people have tuning a 6lug drum are, if anything this tuned faster than my main snare with 10lugs and diecasts. I'll definitely try playing it out, i love it so far.