Today we took delivery of a stunning pre serial Ludwig Super Sensitive snare drum. This drum is an example of one of the very first super sensitive snare drums produced, circa 1961/62. The drum features a chrome over brass shell, with brass hoops; the earlier tone control dampener with the round tension knob; keystone badge with no serial number. The original wires are present, although several are missing, but the drum still sounds incredible.

These drums are super rare, especially here in the UK. Bob Henrit claims that only a dozen or so of these were made. “in 1970 I took it with me on Argent’s first American tour and took it to Ludwig in Chicago to see if they could resuscitate it. In those days there really was a trouble-shooting guy and one of his jobs was to tune the drums before they left the factory (which is why they always sounded fabulous when you took them out of the box).

He took my drum away to fettle it and replaced the pressed-steel snare guard along with most of the important knurled-nuts for its parallel action. He told me there had been around a dozen brass-shelled Super-Sensitives produced in 1962 when even though they were in the catalogue and designated brass, were very rare.” What a stunner to have in the shop, it’s brightened up my day!

The serial number guides do. It is prior to and during the move to Monroe. To present Ludwig Keystone Badge. The serial numbers on these. Packard Bell Easynote B3600 Wifi Booster.

Unusual - my Ludwig Classic Maples are only a few months old and there is only one badge/vent per drum. I wonder if that was a special order? Ludwig will do lots of little details to order.

Yeah it a strange one hey. I've seen it on other brands with RIMS style mounting. I thought it was just to provide an extra 'branding option' should the RIMS mount cover the badge. But it's a first on a Luddy kit. Mind you something like that would retail for around 5 and a half to 6 thousand here (last I checked), so we seldom see CM's on the shop floor at all in Oz.

My limited experience generally comes from drooling over all you guys here on the forum that own them. Cool, looks like a nice kit!

It wasn't a special order on the badges, Ludwig used double badges for a few years. One badge will have serial numbers, and the other is plain. My 2007 Red Sparkle CM's has 2 on the toms, and several toms before, and after '07 have 2 badges. It was to put the bracket section of a RIMS mount between the badges.

That way, no matter what size was used, a badge was facing out. I got an 8x12, and a 13x15 ft late last year in Sable Black. I can't recall if they have 2 badges, but I'm playing that kit tonight, so I'll look.

Have fun with the kit rdon!! I looked last night, & the 8x12 Sable Black tom I got last year (2010) has one badge. The 9x13' RS tom from '07 has 2 badges. I bought the RS 8x12 late in 2008, or early 2009 (can't remember), & it has 2 badges, so they would have stopped doing 2 badges on toms between '08 -'09.maybe '10.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BTW, Ludwig has *always* had a 26' bass drum available (*since they started offering them). As far as I know, they are the only 'major' offering 3 different lug style choices, & 2 badge choices (B/O or Keystone). Not sure if it applies to both CM and Legacy, but for sure for the Classic Maple. Ludwig will also apply a finish a customer sends to them, if someone wanted a finish they don't offer.