Vintage Ludwig Snare....Does it really matter

bloodsuga · 19th May 2009

So I understand why old Ludwigs do not compare to those of today for obvious reasons, mostly the wood. But what about the supraphonic snares? Do the sound that much better?

biggator6 · 20th May 2009

IMO, not really... the supraphonic/supersensitive/acrolite shell hasn't changed much in about 40 years (maybe more). If there are differences, they are very subtle.

That being said, you can pick up a used Acrolite for $50-60 off craigslist or ebay any day and see what you think.
"-)

StereoAtLast · 20th May 2009

I would believe that there is some difference in sound, considering varying qualities of metal/alloy, due to the fact that a portion of the metal used today in drum production is recycled and this wasn't so back in the day.

I could be wrong, but I have a a few vintage snares, 2 of them being metal, and I will say like the all the vintage drums i play, they have a lot more character and just all around sound better than their modern day counterparts.

take it or leave it.

Dog Boots · 20th May 2009

There are so many snares in the world and on the market today.

Some sound great. Some less so. Most can be made to sound fine or better.

Vintage or not would be the least of my concerns.

Jax · 20th May 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggator6

That being said, you can pick up a used Acrolite for $50-60 off craigslist or ebay any day and see what you think.
"-)

Lol.. I'm not trying to pick a fight, but every time you post about how much a used acrolite costs, it seems to decrease by $10-20.

Acrolites may be cheaper in your part of the country, but over here I never see them on craigslist selling for less than $125 to 100, unless they need work.

RoundBadge · 20th May 2009

I have both the new and old Supra 400 and 401's,the new ones sound a little brighter/ harder to me.
the difference is subtle but there
both are useful although i gravitate to the old ones more for recording

Nutmeg II. · 21st May 2009

Could it be due to the thicker hoops on the modern Ludwigs?

RoundBadge · 21st May 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutmeg II.

Could it be due to the thicker hoops on the modern Ludwigs?

Don't know.maybe
I do know the newer drums also have thinner hardware[lugs] and that does affect the sound a bit imo

chrisso · 21st May 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

I have both the new and old Supra 400 and 401's,the new ones sound a little brighter/ harder to me.
the difference is subtle but there

I A/Bed a vintage 402 and a new 402 in a nice studio and couldn't hear a difference.
It may vary from drum to drum, and I also defer to your opinion because I generally prefer vintage drums too.
The difference is subtle in the Ludwig metal shell drums though IMO.

Oh... and I mostly see Acrolites from $150 to $200.

biggator6 · 22nd May 2009

I can't compare to new ones.. my Acrolite, Supra and 6.5" Supersensitive are all older B/O badges - love them all, though I think I like the deeper 6.5" shell a bit more.

If anyone wants to find the super cheap Acrolites, PM me. I set up a script that trolls the Craigslist musical instrument ads for the southeastern US, then filters it on certain words (Ludwig, Rogers, etc) and outputs it as an RSS feed. Another guy modified it for pacific northwest - it's easy to modify for wherever you live or whatever you're searching for. The super cheap deals are out there - they just go quickly.
"-)

ehrenebbage · 22nd May 2009

PM sent. Thanks!

Seems like whatever subtle differences there may be aren't worth the trouble unless you're a collector. New or old, if it's round and has good edges it'll work.

19th May 2009	#1
bloodsuga Banned Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Detroit Posts: 50 Thread Starter	Vintage Ludwig Snare....Does it really matter So I understand why old Ludwigs do not compare to those of today for obvious reasons, mostly the wood. But what about the supraphonic snares? Do the sound that much better?

20th May 2009	#3
StereoAtLast Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 154	I would believe that there is some difference in sound, considering varying qualities of metal/alloy, due to the fact that a portion of the metal used today in drum production is recycled and this wasn't so back in the day. I could be wrong, but I have a a few vintage snares, 2 of them being metal, and I will say like the all the vintage drums i play, they have a lot more character and just all around sound better than their modern day counterparts. take it or leave it. __________________ "I don't hear anything." "Did you push the faders up?"

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20th May 2009	#2
biggator6 Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,979	IMO, not really... the supraphonic/supersensitive/acrolite shell hasn't changed much in about 40 years (maybe more). If there are differences, they are very subtle. That being said, you can pick up a used Acrolite for $50-60 off craigslist or ebay any day and see what you think. "-)

20th May 2009	#4
Dog Boots Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 208	There are so many snares in the world and on the market today. Some sound great. Some less so. Most can be made to sound fine or better. Vintage or not would be the least of my concerns.

20th May 2009	#6
RoundBadge Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: Los Angeles ,Ca. Posts: 8,853	I have both the new and old Supra 400 and 401's,the new ones sound a little brighter/ harder to me. the difference is subtle but there both are useful although i gravitate to the old ones more for recording

21st May 2009	#7
Nutmeg II. Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2003 Location: GEARmany Posts: 985	Could it be due to the thicker hoops on the modern Ludwigs?

22nd May 2009	#10
biggator6 Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,979	I can't compare to new ones.. my Acrolite, Supra and 6.5" Supersensitive are all older B/O badges - love them all, though I think I like the deeper 6.5" shell a bit more. If anyone wants to find the super cheap Acrolites, PM me. I set up a script that trolls the Craigslist musical instrument ads for the southeastern US, then filters it on certain words (Ludwig, Rogers, etc) and outputs it as an RSS feed. Another guy modified it for pacific northwest - it's easy to modify for wherever you live or whatever you're searching for. The super cheap deals are out there - they just go quickly. "-)

22nd May 2009	#11
ehrenebbage Gear Head Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 50	PM sent. Thanks! Seems like whatever subtle differences there may be aren't worth the trouble unless you're a collector. New or old, if it's round and has good edges it'll work.