A steel Supra.

That would be a cool drum with a cool sound...maybe brighter in tone than the Ludaloy but not quite as bright as the Black Beauty, somewhere in between?

O, by all means, I think nearly everyone posting/giving comments here is top notch & goodhearted. I believe even when someone offers a crusty comment it's meant to further the topic/debate, not necessarily to be difficult. I personally don't mind the passionate comments if they hold merit.

Ultimately, with this thread, it will be interesting to see what others post their Supras at. I have a difficult time believing I have a rare model ... but what is the deal. If it turns out my snare is an oddball at 7 lbs, well then great.

This has been fun, weird, perplexing. If we're all part of clearing up some part of a Ludwig mystery it'll be worth the effort.

H

This drum looks so very clean. is it possible that it has been re-chromed with a heavier than original finish? jim

Guys -

From what I can tell everything's original to the snare. The hoops & the muffler arrived here that way from an ebay auction for a 60's Ludwig 12/14/20 BDP kit + a 70's BDP tom. There are a few bubbles in the snare's chrome; but not too bad. The rim of the top hoop is dented/cracked since it apparently was dropped. The shell is not damaged, & the hoop is otherwise A-okay. I do not think it was re-chromed.

It's news to me {this is interesting to hear, BTW} that since the muffler ain't a red BBB as it normally is, it may mean it's a custom job. Even here there's not quite a consensus, I think ?

I will hold off sending to an expert unless it makes sense to do so.

H

I'm guessin' the magnet is sticking to the chrome plating, & not the shell. It certainly won't stick to an acro. If that shell was steel, a magnet would jump out of your hand & clang into that sucker. I'm thinkin' "Ludalloy" (for what that's worth). It certainly is a nice-looking snare. The chrome is beautiful....marko

And so it deepens...Eye Ball I don't think its the plating as the little magnet does not stick to my COB Dynasonic or a NOB Black Beauty. Nice guess though!

I agree completely agree Marko52: it should be a strong attraction, unless there was some weird makeup of Ludwig's steel shell.

Still, the odd bit here, is the odd weight ?

H

OK, just for reference, my absolutely original 1963 Supra, COB hoops, red BBB muffler, original heads, etc. weighs 7 lbs 3.5 oz on the postal scale. A small magnet only sticks (pulls toward) the tension rods. Does not stick to the lugs which are pot metal (would that be COPM?:)). There is a VERY SLIGHT "attraction" to the shell, but I mean hardly perceivable , not an actual "pull" and certainly not enough to stick.

found this on the net

Paramagnetic materials

Paramagnetic materials are metals that are weakly attracted to magnets. Aluminum and copper are such metals. These materials can become very weak magnets, but their attractive force can only be measured with sensitive instruments.

Temperature can affect the magnetic properties of a material. Paramagnetic materials like aluminum, uranium and platinum become more magnetic when they are very cold.

The force of a ferromagnetic magnet is about a million times that of a magnet made with a paramagnetic material. Since the attractive force is so small, paramagnetic materials are typically considered nonmagnetic.

Jaghog...great info! That should be added to the "Is My Drum COB" page under the Restoration and Help heading. Incidentally, that page says that "Ludalloy versions can weigh 5-6 lbs". Mine, at 7 lbs 3.5 oz, certainly refutes that statement, or at least the range should be broadened.

Just for laughs I weighed my circa 1921 Ludwig All-Metal Separate Tension snare (brass shell, brass hoops and 6 brass lugs). It always seems much heavier to lift. I was surprized that it came in at 7 lbs 12 oz! Only a little more than a half pound heavier than the Supra!

Another feature of VDF...we're all becoming metallurgists.