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Found me an Acrolite today! Last viewed: 2 seconds ago

Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

From KCDrumDad

I am going to guess that the serial number is actually 912186, which would be consistent with a number of other drums I have recorded which possess paper labels.I have been working on deciphering the date code system for a little while. There is another thread on that topic. http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=30377&highlight=ludwig+paper+labelsMany see a year within the date code because date codes tend to have a 7 and a 1 or 2 in them and are interpretted as 1971 and 1972. I personally am not yet able to support that conclusion. I am trying to determine what all of the numerals mean before I conclude that some digits represent a year. That said, the labels appear to have come from the 1971 - 1972 time frame. Many have date stamps from 1971. Others have the mysterious date code.Rick

Hey Rick.

I'm pretty certain it is not a 9. It could be a 3 or 8, but not a 9. Unless my eyes are REALLY bad and/or the crust is really thick (both of which are very possible).

Some date codes use the week of the year (01-52) which can make deciphering confusing. Mine COULD translate as week 21 of 1972, but I don't know. I figured I'd post up all the info I have and leave it to you guys to work it out. Coffee Break2

Does Ludwig not have a way to decipher their own codes? There must be current and/or former employees that know what these numbers mean. They're not THAT old.

Maybe I'll snap some before pictures tonight...

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#11
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Hey Rick, my eyes ARE really bad... it IS a nine! I mis-read some other numbers as well: S/N 912166

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#12
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

More before pics...

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#13
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Do you think the head is tight?

Unable to attach a photo? (fatal error)

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#14
Posts: 142 Threads: 43

Nice find, man... I was gonna ask if you found that in Orange as well :)

Kits:
1966 Ludwig Hollywood Gold Sparkle Pearl 12/13/16/22
Star 3pc in Red Glass Glitter (1960's)
Snares:
1959 Ludwig Pioneer Mahogany
60's Ludwig Pioneer Gold Sparkle
60's Ludwig Acrolite (Keystone)
Ludwig/Custom 6.5x14
1960's Bolero (MIJ)
Posted on 12 years ago
#15
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Trying some pictures again...

Still getting fatal error.

Oh well! The top head tension scrws (not all of them of course- that would imply even tensioning!) are turned in to the end of the threads!

This thing needs some help!

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#16
Posts: 361 Threads: 55

Nice find and great story to go with it. Thanks for sharing and ejoy that great drum :)

Posted on 12 years ago
#17
Posts: 1041 Threads: 64

From J!m

Trying some pictures again...Still getting fatal error.Oh well! The top head tension scrws (not all of them of course- that would imply even tensioning!) are turned in to the end of the threads!This thing needs some help!

The file size may be too large. Try opening your photos in Paint and then re-size them smaller. Save the smaller size photo and try to upload that. should fix it

-Justin

"People might look at you a bit funny, but it's okay. Artists are allowed to be a bit different."- Bob Ross

"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music..." - Aldous Huxley
Posted on 12 years ago
#18
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Probably file size, yes. I'll resize them all now, and load the missing ones.

I checked the serial number guide here, and that correlates to 1972 time frame.

Date code may actually make sense!Hmmmm

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#19
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

MORE UPDATES!

I spent some time today cleaning the hoops and shell.

The shell is pretty rough looking, even clean, so I may paint it... Please check my other thread where ytou can vote on the fate of this shell!

Below are the hoops, before and after cleaning, and also the shell, after cleaning and buffing:

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#20
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