This is a 1960-62 Ludwig 6.5x14 gold plated Super-Sensitive Model that was presented to (or purchased by) the famous symphonic percussionist/professor George Gaber. The drum came to me in excellent ++/near-mint condition and only needed the most basic cleaning. The drum is a 1960-62,heavy brass shell (crimped snare beds, pre-serial KB badge and the small tone control knob) that is gold plated...thanks to Harry Cangany for helping me to determine that the drum was as mentioned. Ludwig produced (presented) only 5 of these snare drums that were gold plated with name plaques: 1. Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck), 2. Dick Schory (Chicago Symphony), 3. Ringo Starr (The Beatles), 4. Bobby Christian (Ludwig Clinician) 5. George Gaber (Distinguished ProfessorEmeritus. School of Music, Indiana University). George Gaber passed away on Nov. 21, 2007, at the age of 91.
The first 4 drums are 5x14 Super-Sensitive Models, the George Gaber drum is a 6.5x14 SS model. So, did George special order a 6.5x14 knowing that he was going to be presented with one of these drums or did he hear of these drums and special ordered the 6.5x14? I also heard from the famous vintage drum historian John Aldridge that Ludwig made 24 later model (serial #'d KBs or B/O badge I am not sure) gold plated 5x14 SS models that they awarded to the top 24 Ludwig dealerships in the country...these were not the heavy brass models.
Enjoy - Mike Curotto