They are inexpensive drums and they are extremely common.
They also blow most other snare drums out of the water, too. Not even the most custom-custom boutique builders (assemblers) can come close to producing a drum like the lowly, humble Acrolite.
Why? Let's break it down...
The Acrolite's shell is seamless.
The Acrolite's shell is aluminum.
The Acrolite's shell has flanged bearing edges.
The Acrolite's shell has a center bead.
The Acrolite's 8 lugs are made specifically to fit over that center beaded shell.
Everything about an Acrolite is just for an Acrolite. In other words, there are no after-market or 'generic' parts that you will see on other brands of drums. All aspects of the Acrolite are Ludwig's own designs.
The sound is unsurpassed. The sound of an Acrolite closely resembles the sound of the Supraphonic...and the Supra is THE absolute, undisputed champion of all the snare drum sounds you hear on recordings. The Supra is the most recorded snare drum in the history of music. I'm quite sure of it. And the Acrolite is the "ugly" cousin. But....is it really "ugly"? I don't think so. I always thought the gray and chrome looked fantastic together...and then that little splash of brass on the badge...(or later on the kitchy blue and green of the B/O badge!) = fantastic. They don't show scratches easily and they don't tarnish. They are easy to clean up/restore (in most cases)
Also....Nobody steals Acrolites! And even if they do...so what? just get another one!
So, why treat the Acrolite with less respect than other drums? -because it's inexpensive and common? -because you don't get a color choice? In all honesty, who looks at the snare drum, anyway? -maybe another drummer might. My point is that who cares if it's 100 coats of lacquer over bird'seye maple when it's sitting behind your toms and between your legs when you're playing it on a gig? All that kind of snare drum does is make you worry about scratching it. And if you're thinking about stuff like that instead of playing then you're probably not playing very well!
The Acrolite is, was and will likely ALWAYS be the best bargain of any drum in existence. You almost always get MORE than what you pay for. Sometimes, you even get a case, stand, sticks, method books and practice pad thrown in for good measure!
Burger Kin
