The Leedy and Ludwig 4.5” x 14” Broadway New Era Snare Drum

April 1, 2024 Danny Bilan

In 2010, I purchased a 4.5 x 14 White Marine Pearl Broadway New Era snare drum from Soul Drums in Toronto. Over the course of time, I traded the drum to Century Drums, previously located in Toronto, for another drum. I regretted that decision and kept my eye out for a chance to buy another one. Luckily just last year, Soul Drums had another 4.5 x 14 Broadway New Era snare only this time in Red Sparkle finish. I’m not parting with this one.

1970s Ludwig Stainless Steel Set Built in 2024!

February 29, 2024 Edward Tucker

I started to conceptualize this many years ago following a glimpse of a SS Ludwig Timp-Tom trio set.
After making a trade with a fellow drummer and friend for a beautiful original set of Timps recently in 14”, 16” & 18” I got to work

1958 Super Ludwig Snare Drum

February 29, 2024 Danny Bilan

I was very fortunate to be able to buy this drum from a new friend, Bob Campbell, who lives in the US. I had been looking for this drum for years.

The Ludwig Memorial Edition Chief Supraphonic Snare Drum

January 30, 2024 Phil Wilson

I was looking for one of these beautiful drums to add to my collection and found this one on drumsellers.com. I was able to contact George Lawrence who did a great job in helping me obtain it from a collector who was selling some of his collection

Ludwig 100th Anniversary Black Beauty

January 29, 2024 Danny Bilan

The second was the 100th Anniversary Black Beauty. “Often imitated but never duplicated, Ludwig set the standard for all others to follow with the Black Beauty. The 100th Anniversary edition, hand-engraved and numbered by master craftsman John Aldridge, is more ornately appointed than all others before it, and features the mark of three generations of Ludwig history. “Chief” Keystone badge”.

'61 Ludwig Supraphonic Snare Drum

December 30, 2023 Danny Bilan

When I started collecting Ludwig snare drums, I learned about the early 60’s Supras which I thought were all made of brass. Little did I know that some of the early Supras were made from steel and aluminum.

2nd Generation Super Ludwigs

November 27, 2023 Danny Bilan

There were very few Super Ludwigs produced with WFL badges which makes them very rare. The Transition Badge, as known by collectors, had the Ludwig logo on it and was used in 1958 and 1959.

1924 Ludwig & Ludwig "Special Professional Outfit", customized

November 27, 2023 Reader Submissions

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.

1950s Leedy & Ludwig Knob Tension Kit

November 27, 2023 John Floyd

Here 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.

Super Ludwigs 1st Generation

October 30, 2023 Danny Bilan

The 1st Generation of Super Ludwigs were made from 1925 – 1935 and they made 5 different sizes.

Leedy & Ludwig Zebra finish

August 31, 2023 George Lawrence

The ad is from the Sept. 10, 1952 issue of Downbeat Magazine

1929- L&L Super-Sensitives--family portrait

June 30, 2023 Mike Curotto

Family 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.

Ludwig Re-issued Snare Drums

June 30, 2023 Danny Bilan

I 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.

Finishes on Ludwig Standards

May 31, 2023 Rick Gier

Ludwig Strata Snares - Kevin Oppendike.jpg

…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.

1920s Ludwig & Ludwig Wood Shell Separate Tension Snare Drum

May 29, 2023 Joe Czulinski

This 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!

In Search Of (not with Leonard Nimoy) Vintage Drum Parts

April 28, 2023 George Lawrence

My 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.

Ludwig Finishes of the Blue/Olive Badge Era

April 28, 2023 Rick Gier

This 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.

Ludwig Finishes in the 1960s

March 30, 2023 Rick Gier

Just 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.

1920s Ludwig White Enamel Snare Drums

March 30, 2023 Danny Bilan

In 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.

Rare 1952 Leedy & Ludwig Broadway Parallel Snare Anomaly

March 30, 2023 James Anzelone

This 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.

Database of Articles 11/13 to current