looks to be a cob congrats with small round knob 60, 61...id value it in mint condition at 1200

Say what?! That's awesome! Thanks!

The "magnet" evidence you have presented is consistent with the shell being Aluminum (Ludalloy) or Brass. All it means is that the shell is not made of a ferrous material like Steel. There are definitive tests based on weight (plus a few destructive tests which you probably don't want to use). And is there a seam where it was welded? I might be seeing such a thing in one photo.

I don't see the sort of snare beds (called crimped) I'd expect on a Brass shell. But I'm no expert. And anything is possible with Ludwig.

There is a l-o-n-g thread on this in the general section

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=9441

and there is a video about telling them apart on YouTube (most entertaining)

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajWv4NoQQac[/ame]

Thanks very much! That is the info I needed! Is my drum really that valuable?

If it is Brass then it is worth a lot more than if it is Ludalloy. If it is a Ludalloy it may still get a price premium if it is all original and doesn't have any pitting or tarnishing on the shell. Brass shells usually don't get pitting, but Ludalloy shells do suffer from the chrome layer pitting and starting to get "acne".

I don't know the current range for Brass snares of that vintage, but I would expect well over $800 on eBay. I don't track the prices carefully. The Ludalloy ones go for $200 to $500 depending on how pristine they are. The amount of variation in price is quite high so you really need to track lots of them to completion on eBay to get a good handle on the amount of variation in price. Otherwise people just tend to remember a few unusually high values (because they are memorable) and quote those as if they tell the whole price story. But then I am a statistician... :o

Look at picture #5. I think I see a crimp on the bed.

You are surprised at the value, which means you probably paid very little for this snare. :) Please share. We love stories like this, because it gives us hope that we'll be next.

-Tim

It certainly has a crimped snare bed in it. how much does the drum weigh ? the brass shells are heavier than the ludalloy ones are.

Rolled bearing edge, crimped beds, and the biggest reason is the pitting...I don't see any at all. My guess is COB, due to the bearing edge. Can double verify just by seeing if there is a welded seam on the interior. If indeed we find out it is a Ludaloy shelled Supraphonic...I want the chance of purchasing it! A pre-serial Ludaloy with this shell condition is rare upon rare!

Nevin

Look at picture #3 and #4 at 10 o'clock. Seems to be a seam. ;)

-Tim