I have a Ludwig S/L snare drum with those same type of tension rods.

This will probably be a 'doh!' question, but what is the S/L?

Ludwig called them s/l snares,something for less. they were chrome over wood. first appeared in the 84 catalog I think..

mike

Ha! That's pretty weird/funny. Surely, the description in the catalog wasn't "something for less?"

There is a listing on ebay right now of a nearly -- if not perfectly -- identical Acro. Same indented lugs.

It's described as 70's. The serial number is higher than mine -- a 7 digit badge; it starts with 307 - xxxx.

Also -- on both of these, there is the short grommet which, again, according to Rob Cook's book, started in 1979.

Both have the 'Rocker' head on it, with the lightning bolts in the logo.

So, the multi-hole strainer is pre-1980....

I've been spending way too much time with his book!

That's what I get for keeping it in the 'reading room.'

Well, I know this is a pretty narrow topic. uninteresting to most! But there's also a zillion Acrolites, so...

Update:

I rubbed some lacquer thinner over part of the shell. It made it feel smoother, but is visible only on close inspection. I'm tempted to use something nasty...like paint remover, but that sound pretty terminal if it goes wrong.

There are a few scratches where the head scraped the shell, and it looks like the shell was painted silver/gray, then clear coated.

Which makes me doubt it's anodized.

Which makes me think it's best to leave the d*mn thing alone!

Ludwig S/L was an 8 lug snare drum with same lugs as Standard snares they fell between the end of theStandard model line and the Rocker model line. Good inexpensive drums.

agreed,nice drums. the early ones even had bowtie lugs and b/o badges. they eventually got the lugs you mentioned and also black/white badges.

mike

Hey Bill, I've wiped naptha (lighter fluid) on a french polished violin, varnished mandolins and nitro lacquer and never left a trace. Do the usual small spot 1st!!!. BTW, I'm lovin' the Krupa snare...thanks again!

First of all...glad you're digging the snare. It's good it found a good home!

Okay, 'naptha.' Lighter fluid? Seriously?

So if I fo to the hardware store, and no luck on naptha, the a basic can of lighter fluid...

Whoever sprayed this did a nice job. I think there may be some silver type paint under the clear, but...I can't help myself!

Thanks for the tip, Mick!