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The first vintage & Custom Drum Magazine, since 1988
I'm an architect and custom builder and have a difficult time restoring stuff. I have to customize everything and make it express my individuality. For instance, my daily driver is a hot rod 1952 Willys pick up truck with a custom extended cab and a fuel injected 454.
Read moreHere we have a nice example of an early 1950’s Leedy and Ludwig Knob Tension kit. This unique outfit first appeared in the 1951 catalog and made its last appearance in 1953.
Read moreThe 1st Generation of Super Ludwigs were made from 1925 – 1935 and they made 5 different sizes.
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The ad is from the Sept. 10, 1952 issue of Downbeat Magazine
Read moreFamily portrait time here at Curotto Acres. Ludwig & Ludwig Super-Sensitives were around from 1929 to 1935-36. They do not appear in a Ludwig catalog past 1935 but I have heard of a few wood examples from the early 1940s.
Read moreI have 3 re-issued Ludwig snare drums in my collection. The first one is the 6.5 x 14 Black Beauty snare that was re-issued for Ludwig’s 100 year Anniversary in 2009. Although the shell wasn’t modelled after the original Black Beauty snares from the past, it was beautifully and skillfully hand engraved by John Aldridge. I purchased one of the last of the limited 100 that John engraved.
Read more…relying upon what is believed to be the largest database of vintage Ludwig drums in existence, it provides insight into the finishes used by Ludwig which have appeared in the resale market in the last dozen years.
Read moreThis snare drum model is listed in the 1923 Ludwig & Ludwig catalog as No. 21 Wood Shell Separate Tension. Although the Deluxe finish does not appear to have been a standard catalog offering for this particular model, I believe William Ludwig Sr. would have approved such a request from an enquiring and eager customer. Of the many restorations I’ve done over the past thirty years, this one is still my personal favorite, and I hope you enjoy it!
Read moreMy cousin, Dean Stewart who lives in Alabama, is a drummer and vintage drum collector (yes, the disease runs in the family). He’s looking for a number of parts.
Read moreThis study reviews data gathered from a representative sample of Ludwig Blue/Olive badge drums produced from very late 1969 (earliest date stamps are Thanksgiving week 1969) through about 1984.
Read moreJust how common are each of the wraps and finishes that Ludwig used during the 1960s? This study reviews data gathered from a representative sample of Ludwig Keystone badge drums produced from late 1960 through late 1969.
Read moreIn 2020, I traded a few Slingerland snare drums for this 1923 – 1926 Ludwig All Metal Separate Tension snare drum. It was in rough shape and needed a lot of work.
Read moreThis drum is a leftover 1930s Leedy 6.5”x14”, “Broadway Parallel”. The finish is blue and silver Duco, and is equipped with a solid, 1-ply maple shell.
Read more1956 5.5x14, White Marine Pearl Classic Porto-Pak Snare Drum I recently purchased this drum from Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault in Seattle, Washington. Donn gave me a really good deal in exchange for some inside stories about a band called Moxy that I played with in the 70s. Donn was a big fan of that band, so when I mentioned I played with them we immediately hit it off!
Read moreMy problem is that I have read that the Pioneer also had 8 lugs, and I don’t know the difference between a Standard, Pioneer, and a Universal.
Read moreIn my early days of collecting I was drawn to engraved DeLuxes (Black Beauties) and out of the ordinary finishes. One of my favorite 1920s-30s finishes is Ludwig & Ludwig’s Peacock Pearl. Over the years I have tried to collect as many different “runs” of this finish. The following is what I have collected as of this writing. There are a few standouts that I will explain later in the article.
Read moreThis month I will highlight 6 of the Ludwig & WFL wood snare drums in my collection of nearly 50 snare drums. People often ask me why I need so many snare drums. The answer quite simply is that they all look different and have their own unique sound. For this reason, I will continue on my infinite quest for more snares.
Read moreHere are some rare and very rare 1929 Ludwig & Ludwig New Era-Sensitive models. This model was only seen in the 1929 Ludwig Drummer magazine. From what I’ve seen and from those that I have consulted with it looks like this model was very short lived, 1929-1930.
Read moreI decided to open the trunk to have a look inside and saw a bunch of very lightweight rusted hardware, some old decorations from a party, some confetti and a few other belongings not related to drums. What did catch my eye was the top of a drum head sitting in the case. As I slowly lifted the drum out of the case, I felt a little like Indiana Jones on one of his crusades and I nearly fainted when the drum revealed itself as a beautiful very white WMP twin strainer snare drum in 100% mint original condition.
Read moreThe set I am featuring this month is a 1970s Classic four piece 22,13,16 set with three ply shells. This beautiful kit is wrapped in Sky Blue Pearl. The blue color is still vibrant in the near perfect wrap
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