I'm curious to know what everybody does. I'm too concerned with the original/nice stuff to take a chance of ruining an original head. So I put them away and put playable heads on them.
There is one drum that I really haven't touched, the Super. It has the calf heads.
I can't check any of the boxes as they don't really touch what I do with mine, I detail, clean, lube. re head, new snare wires and play them, I use all my snare drums they aren't shelve sitters.
So, I'm curious... what should I do with my mid 20's Super Ludwig? Put the calf heads aside and risk cracking a lug, or worse?
I have heard the 20's brass drums sound incredible, but not quite sure how to go about it.
Any input would be helpful.
So, I'm curious... what should I do with my mid 20's Super Ludwig? Put the calf heads aside and risk cracking a lug, or worse?I have heard the 20's brass drums sound incredible, but not quite sure how to go about it.Any input would be helpful.
I use mine a lot, it's a 10 lug 1924 all metal model.
Dean - The only thing you need to change out is the clips on the Ludwig. Then you can tune it right up. Worldmax has replacement clips. Save your originals in case you ever sell the drum. I have my mid-20's Black Beauty all set-up to play. Modern heads, a set of vintage Snappy Snares, replacement hoop clips and she's good to go. Hey, what good is a $2000 snare drum if you can't play it!
John
So, I'm curious... what should I do with my mid 20's Super Ludwig? Put the calf heads aside and risk cracking a lug, or worse?I have heard the 20's brass drums sound incredible, but not quite sure how to go about it.Any input would be helpful.
Hmm I never considered that with mine [pic], which I assume is from the 30s because it came with the bass drum that has 1938 hand-written inside.
The snare's been getting a big crackin rim shot on every 2 and 4 I play for a few years now...but they do break I guess. :) Well I make sure the join isn't right there.
No harm in swapping in "gigging" parts but just sayin mine has really held up well. But probably a Super Ludwig is worth a lot more...?
Mitch
The whole point of owning one IMO is to put it up against all newer snares... and play it!
Unlike a complete vintage kit which more than likely will sound best with the music in vogue when it was made, a vintage snare can sound as good and often better than a new snare regardless of music style.
I go on the road with my 70's Black beauty. A drum I class as vintage anyway. I also play bar gigs often with with my old 50's RadioKing. Does a cracking job.
A quality vintage snare drum will outperform any of its modern counterparts if set up properly. Listen to this old Black Beauty Steve Maxwell found floating around in his shop. I have the deeper, 5" x 14" but it sounds just like the one Steve is playing. Excellent drums.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdbEpUffvYs"]Steve Maxwell Vintage Drums - (New Ludwig Legacy Kit and Vintage Black Beauty - 12/13/12) - YouTube[/ame]
Makes you want to slap some modern heads on some of those old drums and put em to work.
John
So, I'm curious... what should I do with my mid 20's Super Ludwig? Put the calf heads aside and risk cracking a lug, or worse?I have heard the 20's brass drums sound incredible, but not quite sure how to go about it.Any input would be helpful.
I am a lot more used to playing my 20's Standards as opposed to a Super, but principle should remain the same. Just put on some modern heads and perhaps wires, tune it and play. I haven't had problems with lugs or clips, although you may want to use some modern clips to be on the safe side. Also, if your tension rods are bent, go with newer ones as well
One caveat. These are not brand new modern drums, so remember they are not designed for high tension tuning. Go with a nice medium tuning and enjoy.
