Here are some photos of the shell. I think it ticks all the boxes. I can even see the curled flange on pic#3. Maybe you can see that "S" or whatever that is in pic#2. Maybe it's just a squiggle. 7lbs. 15oz. with this die-cast thingy on there. Your thoughts?

I'm just guessing it's a Ludwig die-cast hoop, but it's a die-cast hoop nonetheless, we can see that. And they are heavy, so is It a Ludalloy shell? Somebody tell me it's brass. :)

c o b

c o b

c o b!

inner lip on the shell heading back towards the inside of the shell looks like cob to me as well.

mike

I can't quite see if the bearing edge flange curves back towards the shell in those pictures. That, and a seam, are the defining factors for COB. Everything else (no serial number, crimped beds, red BB muffler, heavier lugs) also turned up on early aluminum shelled models. If the flange just angles inward toward the center of the drum you have aluminum. If it curves back towards the shell wall it's brass.

I'm guessing the "S" has no real significance, possibly an inspector's mark of some sort. I've seen plenty of initials written in other Ludwig snares that seem to have been from someone at the factory who okay'd the drum or perhaps an indication of who did the work in case there was a problem. Wood shells from that time period often have their dimensions scribbled inside in chalk or grease pencil.

Thanks guys. I know it's hard to see the curl in the pics, but how often do we see aluminium shells with pre serial keystone badge, heavy cast imperial lugs, brass hoops (or hoop in this case) no pitting, red tone control and possibly a curled flange? I think there is more evidence here for COB than there is for Ludalloy Supraphonic shell. I hope it is a COB shell. I paid over $400 for it. BEFORE shipping. :-D And I already own a 64 supraphonic. I want this to be brass. If it ain't brass I'll have to pass. I can think of another word that rhymes with brass that I'll be shouting if that flange doesn't have a curl on it.

I have a no serial crimped bed cob hoop red felt tone controled aluminum shelled super sensitive. its rare but it happens. it also has an a or v in grease pencil near the vent hole. always figured it was just an inspection/notation mark.

from what I can see of that lip id say cob. the curl certainly looks a lot closer to my transition badge super than it does the aluminum supersensitive I mentioned. it has none to almost no curl at all inside.

I'm going to keep you guys posted. Please let it be brass and not a dudalloy. Just kidding, ludalloy is a good shell, but I want a brass shell. :-)

if it's a brass shell I paid a good price. If it's ludalloy my girlfriend is going to kill me. If I had a girlfriend. :-D ... :-(

best of luck man. if it is what youre hoping you've hit the jackpot in both price and sound. I scored a transition badge off craigslist for 300 a few months back.. now all of my other snares are collecting dust. its an understatement to say I love it.

Very nice! Does your drum have the WFL P83 plus blutt plate?

These drums, keystone badge or otherwise don't come up too often on this side of the pond. A lot of Premier stuff here, let's trade places? LoLoLoLo