Hello, I stumbled onto your site and I'm pleased I have I must say. I have a very old (I think) Ludwig 28" x 14" I believe, but measuring from outside of each hoop the overall width is 16". The drum has 12 tensioning rods running through a single "eye" or guide positioned in the centre of the drum shell. The rods have largish what appear to be solid brass thumb grips with claws such as those in your pic on the other end whereas the one on your page has two guides and the tension rod thumb grips and flattened. The guides are all stamped Ludwig and Ludwig Chicago Ill. as is the badge on the bass drum. I use the bass drum in live playing and have attempted to source genuine Ludwig parts to fit out the drum to stabilize it and to create a solid sound for inside venues. To that end I have fitted it with vintage external dampeners/mufflers. I'm not very interested in price as I have no intention of parting with this drum and I may yet have myself folded up and buried in it! Joking here as my son would dig me up, turf me out and take the drum home with him!! I'd be very interested in your thoughts and opinions regarding this bass drum. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Paul Simpson
I purchased this drum from a small town second-hand dealer several years ago. It was hand painted a dark green and cost me $100. I still have one wooden hoop and calf skin head that came with the drum originally. After stripping it back to bare timber I decided to just apply a clear gloss varnish to show off the colour and grain patterns of the wood. My understanding is that the drum is made of Hickory. I am unable to determine if the drum is solid wood or ply. I'd be happy to learn anything about it as I have looked online and even emailed Ludwig but little if anything came of it all. Inside the drum is a set of numbers stamped on the shell in what seems black ink. The first two numbers are 37 and then I think 63 but these could easily be 8's as well. Not sure if this has any bearing on matters. Anyway as I mentioned any information you might have regarding this drum would be appreciated.