Hi all,
Cool forum and very interesting reading! I'm just getting back into playing and was trying to nail down a ballpark manufacturing date for my snare.
I am the original owner (drum purchase early '80's). Brass or Bronze, I'm thinking bronze. Chicago Keystone badge with no serial number and the drum measures a little under 6/12" but over 6". I should have taken an exact measurement, but I just threw new heads on and then ran across this forum.
Thanks in advance.
-Joe
Chicago "big" keystone badges were thought to be used only in 1984, shortly before the company moved to North Carolina.
Hammered bronze model with "bowtie" classic lugs in place of the typical (cataloged) imperial design. That difference and the Chicago large keystone generally indicate a drum from 1984, just before the move to Monroe.
Hey guys. Thanks for the quick responses. I always thought it strange that the kit I bought at the same time had Chicago keystone badges with serial numbers and the snare had no number. I was thinking maybe it was "B" stock.
-Joe
Hey guys. Thanks for the quick responses. I always thought it strange that the kit I bought at the same time had Chicago keystone badges with serial numbers and the snare had no number. I was thinking maybe it was "B" stock.-Joe
No way of knowing for sure but I'd guess that when they got the new badges in they probably had some with no numbers stamped on them and one of those ended up on your drum. Ludwig did not record or pay attention to the serial numbers back then, the numbers were just something that the government (or the insurance industry) had mandated. So they wouldn't have paid that much attention if one badge lacked a serial number. I don't recall them offering "B" stock drums at that time. More likely the "B" stock shipped right out along with the "A" stock ;)
The theory about the different lugs is that they ran out of the Imperials and substituted the classics rather than ordering in a new batch of inventory for a plant that was due to shut down soon. If that is truly the case that would imply that your drum was made closer to the move date. I have two Chicago Large Keystone badged Supras (A 5" hammered Bronze and a 402) and both have the standard Imperial lugs.
The hammering on the Bronze drums from that period is more subtle than on later hammered drums. I like it. Cool to see a hammered 6.5".
[QUOTE=K.O.;359643]The theory about the different lugs is that they ran out of the Imperials and substituted the classics rather than ordering in a new batch of inventory for a plant that was due to shut down soon. If that is truly the case that would imply that your drum was made closer to the move date.
+ 1.
I have had at least 3 supras (LM 400 & 410) w/ Factory bow tie lugs from same period.
In any case.... weird there's no Muffler on it ! :confused:
[QUOTE=K.O.;359643]The theory about the different lugs is that they ran out of the Imperials and substituted the classics rather than ordering in a new batch of inventory for a plant that was due to shut down soon. If that is truly the case that would imply that your drum was made closer to the move date. + 1. I have had at least 3 supras (LM 400 & 410) w/ Factory bow tie lugs from same period.In any case.... weird there's no Muffler on it ! :confused:
The muffler was removed for a recording session years ago. I reinstalled it when I put fresh heads on the drum a few weeks back.
Those hammered bronze snares are fabulous and yours is very cool with bowtie lugs! Enjoy!
