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Need tips for tuning vintage Ludwig Super Snare drum COB -- any help is appreciated! Last viewed: 1 hour ago

Posts: 877 Threads: 324

Hey all,

I recently picked up a 5x14 COB vintage Ludwig snare. I'm having trouble getting this drum to be sensitive at low volumes...buzz rolls and light hits. It seems that it sounds okay when I hit a back beat at medium to high volume, but having trouble getting it be sensitive.

Here is what I did so far. Replaced old snare wires with Puresound 20 strand Blasters. Replaced heads with Remo coated Ambassador and a Remo snare side head. Bottom is cranked tighter than top. I'm going for an Al Jackson range, instead of a "Garabaldi" crack. So more of a mid range sound is what I want.

Funny thing is, my 6.5x14 Black Beauty (new version) is quite sensitive at low volumes and everything above. No issues there. At this point, the 6.5 is winning by a landslide.

I'm not sure if what I'm experiencing is just part of the character of this 5x14 COB drum, but any tips would be much appreciated...willing to experiment.

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 199 Threads: 62

I've had similar issues with a couple of different drums over the years. Here's what my personal research into the matter has shown me....

When I play along to old jazz records, or just woodshed by myself, I tend to play softer, so I relax the tuning a little to let the drum breathe a bit. On snares, I go with a Diplomat weight snare side and usually a Coated Ambassador or even Emperor, but I find that wide strand snare wires (20) have a tendency to choke off the drum too much and sometimes a thinner set of wires backed off till they are just touching will be much more sensitive to soft strokes. Also don't crank up the snare side head so much, loosen it a tad.

I play awhile, then make some adjustments, play some more, make some adjustments. The optimum sound for each drum is different, you will only touch on it by zeroing in from both ends of the sound spectrum. Try it too tight, then try it too loose. Don't be surprised if the sound you fall in love with has nothing to do with your notion of " the proper way to tune a drum" that's just a reasonable starting point. Experiment.

Glen

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 877 Threads: 324

From vintagemore2000

How many lugs are on both the 5" and the 6 1/2" drums?

10 lugs on each.

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 877 Threads: 324

Thanks Glen. Yeah, I'll just have to try a few of those ideas and maybe even different snare wires. It sounds a little choked, so the wires could be part of it, but I'll try loosening the bottom.

The black beauty is just running the stock heads and wires...it sounds wonderful. To be honest, I didn't have to do much right out of the box.

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

i having no issues with my 61 cob super at all, but my 63 downbeat snare has the problem u r having with it i think its the wires and skins

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 877 Threads: 324

From jaghog

i having no issues with my 61 cob super at all, but my 63 downbeat snare has the problem u r having with it i think its the wires and skins

Those downbeat snares are super funky. One day I'll pick one up. They seem pretty rare, and the prices reflect that too! I have a Ludwig jazz fest that I just got recently...working on that one as well, but have not messed with the jazz fest drum as much yet.

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

From AtlantaDrumGuy

Those downbeat snares are super funky. One day I'll pick one up. They seem pretty rare, and the prices reflect that too! I have a Ludwig jazz fest that I just got recently...working on that one as well, but have not messed with the jazz fest drum as much yet.

good player the jazzfest i have only 1 left had 2 traded 1 for a mint 68 ludwig 18 in ft

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 877 Threads: 324

From jaghog

good player the jazzfest i have only 1 left had 2 traded 1 for a mint 68 ludwig 18 in ft

The jazz fest seems cool, still working on it.

I'm having fun with my snare collection that I've been mainly establishing this past year (both new and old stuff). I must admit though, the best sounding vintage snare I have is the Radio King 5.5x14. That thing is awesome, and very easy to get a good sound from (I like easy). At the end of the day, I want to play and use the drums...whether it's new or vintage stuff I own...I'm bringing the Radio King to my next blues rock gig coming up!

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
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