I understood it was the opposite. Ludalloy shells are the ones that pit, not the brass ones.

So it may be a brass shell ? How can I be sure ?

I was thinking that the LM400 with brass shell were only the early 60s preserial models with crimped beds and dial muffler.

I never play another LM400 than mine, so I can't compare brass VS ludalloy sound.

USUALLY, there is some pitting on Ludalloy shells because the chrome didn't plate well onto the aluminum -thus the pitting problems. The brass shells are heavier and they rarely (if at all) pitted.

Your drum looks very clean, so it might be a COB shell ("chrome over brass). It's possible because Ludwig DID, in fact continue to make some brass shell Supras during that time.

Sometimes, there is a "B" or a "BR" mark somewhere on the shell if it is brass.

Also....a magnet doesn't stick to an alloy shell, but will stick to brass.

And, a brass shell is heavier.

thanks for the answer, I didn't find any "B" or a "BR" mark…

For the magnet I don't think it will stick on a brass shell because I also have 2 others brass snare drums and it doesn't stick on those shells, but it stick on my old Tama steel snare (and on my LM400 hoops)

Woops! yes, you are correct about the magnet. Sorry! Duh! Brass is a non-ferrous metal, after all! (hits self in forehead). In any case, it's avery clean shell. Can you weigh it? If you weigh it, then I'll weigh my Ludalloy and compare notes with yours. If yours is significantly heavier, then it's likely to be brass.

If it was made in 1968 it IS Ludalloy aka aluminum. No brass shells were made that late in the 60's, they were all aluminum. Brass shells didn't resurface until the late 70's....1979 IIRC. It is possible to own a Ludalloy shell that is not pitted....I own one and its a 1968 as well.... :D

I have just weight it, it's 3,3 Kg so 7,27 Pounds.

Its aluminum.

Ok thanks Bowing

that's what I was thinking.

Do you know the weight of the COB models ?