by Chris Ardoin
1929-30 Ludwig 'Standard-Sensitive' Model Black Beauty DeLuxe Snare Drum
Size : 5 x 14
Finish : Black Nickel, 10-Point Floral Engraving
Ludwig released 4 new models in 1929 : Super-Sensitive, New Era-Sensitive, Super-Power, and the Standard Sensitive. The term 'Sensitive' at this time referred to a set of batter-side internal snares that were position underneath the top head. These additional snares created ample sensitivity and response from the drum when played lightly. Of these 4 models, all but 1 was discontinued the following year, 1930. The Super-Sensitive model continued to be manufactured through 1939 while the other 3 never made it into the official Ludwig & Ludwig catalog.
During this time, C.G. Conn, Ltd. was acquiring many musical instrument manufacturers, including Ludwig & Ludwig, and the Great Depression had just hit. Considering the timing of these new model releases and their short production timeline, not many fully dressed deluxe engraved examples from this era are documented. As of this writing, this is the second Black Beauty Deluxe model to be outfitted in the ‘Standard Sensitive’ hardware to have surfaced. The first example of this drum currently resides in the Curotto collection. This particular example was uncovered in 2023 at a garage sale in Chicago. The drum was received in very nice condition, missing only 1 rod and clip, and in need of just a mild cleaning.