Black Beauty or Not?

[taterfarmerwife]

Hello!

I'm looking for information on a Snare Drum we own. It say's Ludwig Chicago. It is Black with gold scrolls or waves around the outside and brass. It is 5X14. I looked it up on the Internet and was taken to a Museum and they had one that looks very much like ours. They called it a "Black Beauty" from 1920-1925. I was wondering how I would know for sure if it is one of those or not? Anyone know? Thanks, Wendy

[RoundBadge]

Yes,that's a 20's Black Beauty..ive seen them go for as low as 1500.00..
I also know someone who just paid 5 g's for a real nice onethumbsup

send pictures and info to this guy:

Vintage Drum Center: Vintage Drum Appraisal Service

[chetatkinsdiet]

I'd also recomend looking up John Aldridge for a second opinion. He's a great historian and collector of these as well. He actually is the founder/editor of Not So Modern Drummer Magazine, as well as the person that does the ingraving for Ludwig on their current BB's. I'm sure you can google him easily.

m

[chrisso]

I gave her both those links on the previous thread.
Why a second thread?
It's 100% definitely a Black Beauty Wendy.
I have an identical one.
We could guess at it's worth, but only getting more expert help will confirm the value.
As RoundBadge say's $1500 at the bottom end, $5000 at the top.
Loooking at the size and condition I'd say somewhere inbetween.
Good luck.

[taterfarmerwife]

I'm Sorry For The Second Thread!

I'm new at this site and when I did the first thread added a poll. I later decided I had done it wrong by starting a poll and stupid me didn't know how to stop that thread. So I placed a second one. I DO SINCERELY APPRECIATE EVERYONE OF YOU WHO TOOK THE TIME TO ANSWER AND GAVE ME SUCH WONDERFUL ADVICE! THANKS!

[Tetness]

I'm the sucker that just bought one for 5K. Guitar Center in Hollywood has a 15" one, which they have listed at 9,000 -- Not too crazy about the sound of the 15" -- more of a collector's peice or an orchestral snare.

Having looked around, these are VERY hard to come by and that's why they're getting such ridiculous numbers. If you can grab one. Grab it. I'm overpaying about 1,500 or so. But I figure, these are like the '59 Les Pauls of the snare world.

The one I got is a 5X14 (my favorite configuration) that has the snares tied to the drum so that they can be easily swapped out with Pure Sound Custom snares for a more recording-friendly sound.

[Tetness]

PS -- I would value your Black Beauty somewhere 3,500-4,000. Subratcting a little because it's a 4". Subtracting a little more because of the snare configuration. And a little more because of its condition -- although I love the look of it!

Here's a link to a similar snare as yours that was listed for 3,500 but was bidded up to just under 4,000:

Ludwig 4x14 Engraved Black Beauty -1920s (5x14 Scroll Engraved Coming Soon!)

[taterfarmerwife]

Thanks For Looking!

For anyone interested in this 1920's Black Beauty Snare Drum, it is being put onto eBay Aug. 19th. 2007 for Sale. Let The Bidding Begin! Look for auctions by "antiquewendy4u".