Hey guys just bought a Ludwig Pioneer in Silver Sparkle (don't the correct name).
It is the 5x14 model and has a pointed Blue Olive badge serial number 778313 and also has the clear interior. Does the serial number put it in 69? I didn't notice a date stamp.
It has the P85 throw off with the black face. The wires are 20 strand. They look vintage but thinking the may not be original due to the 20 strands and didn't see Ludwig on them.
Overall, the snare is in nice shape. All the hardware needs is a little cleaning and it looks like it will be in great shape. No pits to speak of.
The one thing about it is the wrap is a little dull on maybe a 1/3 of the drum. Will need to polish it up. There is no lifting though.
Now for the story. This drum was advertised as a 1970 Jazz Festival and in great shape. I thought the price was a great price but I tried not to get too excited and buy something that had problems. So I concentrated my questions on things like is the drum in round, any separation of the plies, etc. I completely forgot to count the lugs. I was just excited to find a nice reasonably priced Jazz Festival even if not necessarily from the most desirable years or color.
The trip to get the snare was about 5 hours round trip. I did happen to meet up with another person for some cool vintage hardware as long as I was making the trip. The guy I bought the hardware noticed the snare in Craigslist also and thought it looked good but maybe a Pioneer. I said thanks and then met up with the guy with the snare. He is a bassist that had been starting to put a kit together for himself and thought it was just too cool for the drum hack he is. He was really pretty excited to show me all of the details and how the Ludwig standard flat base snare stand worked. Almost didn't have heart to tell him it was a student drum and not a Jazz Festival. He was very apologetic and it had really blown the wind out of his sails. He dropped the price to probably a fair price but definitely not the steal I thought I was getting. If it's too good to be true right?
The gentleman was actually pretty cool and gave me a half dozen chances to back away from the deal. He asked me a few times if I was happy with it as he is trying to keep his Karma clean.
I will try to clean it up and post pictures.
I already have a 1960 WMP Transition badge with nickle hardware and original button feet flat base stand and now this Pioneer with the standard flat base stand. Both were bought new by families for their sons in school which is pretty. I just thought I was finally going to find that nice price Jazz Festival. Thought maybe the blue/olive years would be a little less desirable and cheaper and kinda cool with the clear interior.
Wes
