I bought this drum directly from DM , ( Dave Mattacks ) oh , 12 years or so ago , because I'd always wanted to add a Leedy & Ludwig to my collection and this one was used on Fairport Convention's 1995 release " ***el In The Crown " . From the 1995 Winter Tour programme that features an article on Dave's snare collection :

Leedy & Ludwig 4" : " I spent some time and money doing this one up - as they say - and decided to have it strung with gut snares . This gives the drum a very " dry " almost " military " type of sound , very un-rock & roll . And a good job , too . It's not easy to play - conventional wire snares can cover a multitude of lack - of - technique skills ( I'm pleased to say ) - but I huffed and puffed and am pleased with its sound on " Home Is Where The Heart Is " on " ***el . "

The drum was re-finished in a off white lacquer , re-chromed and I believe the edges re-cut . Lug screws also replaced . I have played the drum for maybe 5 minutes since buying it . It has been sitting in my drum studio all this time . It came to me from Dave with the hair elastic on the strainer . It has never disengaged when I tested it , and Dave said he thinks he put it on their just for insurance , but I can not be positive that it won't disengage with heavy playing , hence the bargain price of $ 450 shipped Express from Japan . If you want a letter of authenticity from DM I'm sure he'd supply one for me/you .