They are a single piece of aluminum alloy,spun into a drum shell.The beds,center bead and bearing edges are added later.It's also the same shell,that the LM 400 supra phonic uses.So,no welds in the shell.

Yours is the earliest version,which didn't last very long.

Steve B

I did put up some information on one of our web sites that I do not think the "Prototype" should be the name for the drum.

In the general sense of the word, it is the early sample or design.

Technically there should only be a few "Prototypes"

That is why I had named it the "First Generation Shell"

More and more have popped up over the years and also since the drum was added into two different print documents by Ludwig at the time, to me it became a production drum that did not last long before they went to the "Second Generation Shell"

Let the debate begin :)

David

Just for the sake of preservation... do not over tension the heads. Those aluminum lugs had a tendency to crack under pressure - which was the initial motivation for one of the subsequent alterations. ie; no more aluminum Bowties!

Take good care of it. Whatever you want to call it, prototype, or production run, it -is- very RARE!

John

I've not seen a "regular" acrolite with the metal plate inside.

And, my "original" acrolite also has the word "aluminum" embossed on the bottom hoop.

very nice drum! you got the one that's been called a prototype for years. but like david mentioned, I too consider these simply first generation acrolites. there are too many around to be considered prototypes from what ive gathered.

the shell on yours is different than the rest of the acrolites or supras. your type shell is the only one with the welded plate inside or the aluminum hoops. would take it easy on that batter hoop as they bend easily with any stick contact. many had the hoops replaced with conventional chrome over brass hoops from the period.

ive got a couple of these and really like them. they are lighter than the later acrolites and sound great I think.

mike

Calling those early Acrolites a "Prototype" is sort of like calling the Super Ludwigs "Prototype Supras" but you wouldn't get quite so many people riled in the case of the Acros.

And speaking of getting the people riled: that "1958" snare with the 1963-ish period correct hardware is still circulating...yes it has 8 rather than 10 lugs but it's not the first to surface.

[ame]http://www.ebay.com/itm/151059154651[/ame]

Ooooh. I see some new sort of eBay widget gets put in when the link is re-written. More software change.

Thanks all! As I was cleaning this up (it did not need much) I realized just how fragile this drum is. The hoops are light as feathers & it was a weird feeling to hold a drum rim that light. I feel the best description would be first generations as well.

I appreciate all the feedback. This drum will be going in the display case for sure. I have several other really nice ones from the 60's & 70's & also have one from each decade I use. They are such great sounding snares.

I attached a couple more pics of the drum cleaned up & damn pretty I might add!

One more close up of the re-enforced weld inside

that one really looks nice. enjoy it!

mike