We, indeed, are not worthy! Bowing

Hey all!

The Ludwig Standard Page is in progress, so if any one wants to contribute any tidbits let me know.

I have the 68 and 71 Standard Catalogs

I have 3 different sets of Standard Swatches. 1 Complete and 2 other combinations.

So if there are any flyers, ads, or documentain then please email it to me.

I will also take any drum shots with any information you have.

Email: [EMAIL="[email protected]"][email protected][/EMAIL]

If I need to give a site credit then please give me the details in the email.

Thanks!

David

Adding this to the discussion:

The Strata Finishes are see-through. So depending on the wood underneath it will change the color of the wrap.

I took two different finish samples.

Both the exact same thickness..

I'm holding up two different samples of Gold Strata to the light from my PC monitor. One does not look like the other. I tilt them down to verify I have the same color swatch. Hmmm. same color. I Hold them up to the light again and one is clearer then the other so you can see the grey in the sample. So I place them down on a flat surface and they are the same thickness. But one is flimsier then the other.

So, there are variations in the material and being see-through will also make a difference on the finish.

Not that any of this really matters to the discussion, just observations while working with three different color swatches.

Also, one is a little smoother on the back side then the other.

David

Here is what I have so far

Ludwig Standard Drums

Hey David, the new Standard page is coming along nicely - One question re: that : You list the Standards running 'til '82 - Did they use the same badge all that time?

Re: the wrap - Are you seeing the wrap as transparent or translucent?

While I'm sure that transparent would effect the look of the wrap, based on the shell underneath (not to mention the glue in between) - translucent would be less likely to truly do so, as the nature of translucent is to let light pass through, of course.

I'd think that the shells would kinda work like the darker backing on a one way mirror - enhancing reflection of light, sharpening the wraps character.

Consequently, as light hits the wrap and is reflected and absorbed, that would explain how these Stratas seem to "shape-shift" in character & color;

such translucence would be a major factor in that. Also, the polished clear layer on the outside would further enhance the effect, as would the unfinished backside to be less reflective.

One newer thing that I noticed, on my 13" Gold Strata tom, is the angle that the light hits really has bearing on how the wrap appears. There are some bands that look bronze straight on, but when I angle the drum toward the light, the pearl behind the bronze pops out, and the gold color is revealed. I think this is the nature of the reflective qualities of the silver/pearl to enhance the gold color. In some areas, the drum has to be upside-down to see it.

So I think you've hit on something: that the translucent/transparent - firmer/flimsier - rough/smooth finish - are all additional factors in how these

colors look, adding to the lengthening list of variables.

Good questions and thanks for the kudos!

Let me check on the badge dates, but Ludwig did have two other lines that used the same badge shape and color. I'm hoping other versions appear with and without serial numbers etc.. With Ludwig's other badges, there were so many different variations. Hard to believe there is only one Standard Badge.

In regards to the finishes... The other swatches that are not from the Standard line have black backs or the same solid color on both sides.

If I take the Gold Strata and hold it up to my finger I can see my finger through the lighter colors. If I put the sample up to my screen, I can read everything through it.

The page will grow over time as people send me items and also want their drums featured.

David

The Combo series used the ORIGINAL Standard series SHAPED badge, those were late 70's into 1980 using a different lug than the standards....plastic lugs IIRC.

The Standards that were reintroduced for 1982 used a normal blue/olive rounded corner badge, but used 4-ply shells for the toms and 6-ply shells for the bass drums. These are the same shells as the later Rocker/Rocker II series, but with the small classic lugs on all the toms. I believe they were a mix of poplar and maple shells.

Yes, I forgot about that 1982 catalog which is on the main web site. I moved a copy to the Standard page and also re-did the main logo.

Keep the info coming!

David

Ludwig Standard Drums

I'm a little confused, well maybe more than a little. I recently purchased a Ludwig standard kit to restore, the shells on this kit are Mahogany with pretty crude seams. Back in the day (1972) I owned a classic Ludwig kit and if memory serves me those shells were maple. I really don't know anything about the Standard kits other than they were a lot cheaper in price than the regular Ludwig kits. I'm thinking that the material used for the shells had a lot to do with that.

Actually...no, that's not correct. The Standard shells were exactly the same shells as used with the Classic line. They are made up of a very thin ply of maple or mahogany, a relatively thicker core ply of poplar wood and a final thin veneer ply of maple or mahogany. The reinforcement rings are solid maple. As far as mahogany vs. maple...the Standards were painted interiors -gray. It could be that some of the blemished interior ply shells were sent to the gray paint and turned into Standard shells, but the shells are sonically the same as the Classics.

The classic line didn't get the Granitone paint until about 1975. Before that they were finished with a clear sealer and before that, white paint. The Standards preceded the Classics by several years with the use of Granitone on the interiors......