Just to reinforce the theory, I googled WorldMax Black Dawg and lo and behold, stumbled onto this interesting discussion regarding faking a BB.

Here is the link:

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36117

I really cant tell the difference. I am certainly not in anyway qualified to make this judgment either way. I really know next to nothing about the drums origin, i got it from a drum teacher many years ago, and i presume he got it from somone else. I was always told it was a Black Beauty snare....

However you have got me thinking. Thats why i ended up starting this post to get a definitive answer on what i have.

Are there any obvious signs that would rumble it?

There is no weld on the inside of the shell of a true BB?

Any ideas?

Im seriously considering taking the thing to a drum builder or somthing so he can tell me the score with this.

Even if it is a "clone" it still sounds great. So I wouldn't worry about it if you are planning on keeping it to use......

I think those shells are sold by drummaker.com pre drilled for lugs as well as undrilled.......

It would be more on principle, as a) i would like to know exactly what i have bought and b) if it did turn out to be fake i would then be asking my old teaching some questions

Any of the experts know of any anything i should look for on the drum?

It's very likely a real BB, but I can't explain the missing grommet. Usually, missing grommets are indicative of an altered drum -not always, but, in my experience, the missing or non-original grommet is a telltale sign. But, because you know the provenance of the drum (It came from your teacher and he told you it was a BB), it's very likely that the drum is the real thing. If you read the discussion on that link I provided, there are some people who break down some of the differences between the WM and the BB.

Thanks.

Im actually still not convinced either way. A lot points to it being the real deal, but also the more ive started getting into snare drums, im looking at them more as a bunch of parts now. All this talk of badges is making me think how easy it would be to stick that ludwig badge on another drum.

I know i am most probs wrong, but if im honest that little niggle of doubt in the back of my mind was partly what made me first post here. Notice how i asked what drum it was even though i was told straight up when i bought it that it was a BB.

I am going to get some assistance in the u.k i think.

Theres an exeptional drum builder over here that i think i might drop a line...

Thanks so much for helping with this.

One good way to tell if it's a real BB or a Worldmax, is to look inside the shell. The real BB has no seam, as the Worldmax does have a seam.

Im following this. Im actually pretty sure there is no seam. Which bodes well.

I was planning on taking it apart to clean up so i might do that early now and get a really good look at the shell.

Trouble is it sounds so nice playing it, i dont want to take the heads off.

Maybe it is the real deal.

If it isnt then i will actually be amazed because i have a steve feronne (which really wants to be a BB) and the "Ludwig" i have blows it away.

We shall see...

BTW, this was my drum that was posted on DrummerWorld. I sold it a while ago on ebay, but have recently found the owner and am going to be getting it back. I miss it.

Really? The bottom snare in the pic?

Will there almost definatly be a weld on the shell with those?

I checked last night, there is no weld on the BB shell i have....