Please, I'm just trying to learn more about Ludwigs. I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge. Did Ludwig ever make 14 inch snare drum rims made of wood? I have a beautiful Supra and I'm just wondering about these rims. Friends with other brands love the wooden hoops. Please advise. Pros? Cons? Thank you very much!
Brian
Ludwig offered wood hoops on many of their 10x14 marching snare drums.
They made them for marching drums. They were different than the typical wood hoops folks use on snares today. They were thin and tall like a small diameter bass drum hoop and tensioned with claw style rods. Some models of non-marching snare drums did have these hoops early on but by the 1960s they had pretty much fallen out of use other than on their lower line marching snares. I don't think I've ever seen a Supra with factory wood hoops although I suppose anything is possible. I have a set of Gibraltar wood hoops that I used on a vintage Fibes (COF) snare for a while. I never have tried them on a Supra...might be worth a try sometime. Nothing to lose other than the cost of the hoops. You might see if you can borrow a set to try although you probably actually only need the top hoop.
You never know with Ludwig though. Here's a factory set from the 1970's with wood hoops all around (specially ordered no doubt).
Thanks very much, guys! I knew about marchers but, had never seen a set with the hoops. I never thought such a kit existed even if a special order. Interesting stuff. Thanks again.
Brian
Here is my 1939 Ludwig Swing model.
