As i'm sure almost everyone up here has experienced at one time or another, is the pain in the butt and controversy of the dreaded and revered Ludwig throw-off. The issues can almost always be endless, but most often it's the same few issues. Flimsy, unreliable parts..I just purchased the P-86 to give my '76 Supraphonic a bit of a face lift, and because i didn't want to deal with putting nylon string through those insanely tiny holes which usually require a freakin' magnifying glass ! They also wouldn't last very long either, and would snap after about a year's use. I don't even have my snares tightened that much, just enough to give it sensitivity or maybe a slight turn or two of the knob to get a tighter/retro 70's sound, depending on the music i was playing.
As i read another forum member's response to one of my earlier threads in regards to getting the P-86, he stated that there is a specific part that has been an issue with this throw, and that if it's ever lost, good luck in trying to replace it.Well, i think you guys can guess what happened. That piece flew off during sound check and was lost to the large, dark wood stained stage, 2 hrs before the gig. Nice. Lucky for me, it did the job. The part in question is just below the top of the throw handle to the right. "Good luck in finding that piece" is absolutely right, and because of this, i'm now out almost $70.00, with a useless throw that will fall apart any second. I don't even now if i can bring it back to the shop for an exchange of credit. The last item i bought at this shop was a Rhythm Tech hi hat mounted ching ring tambourine, and that also fell apart on me. I brought that back, and got the credit for the P-86. Now if i show up again with another faulty product, they may not believe me. This is extremely frustrating. So, what should i do ? Go back to ask for a modern P-85 that lets you use plastic straps as opposed to the vintage ones with the holes, do i ask for a refund directly from Ludwig through the shop, or do i try and find another screw at the hardware store similar to the one that was lost at ? Just wondering what any of you guys in my situation would do, and it would really help me rectify this annoying situation.
On a side note, the snare that i use on a weekly basis for the past 10 years is a 5x12 Sonor Force 3005 in black sparkle. The throw-off on that snare has NEVER let me down yet, and half of it is plastic !
Just an amazing throw, simple, effective, solid and reliable. I'm sorry if i rub anybody the wrong way, and this may just be frustration talking, but nothing beats German engineering. Sonor's gear is always rock solid. I dropped that snare a few times on all sides, and it still functions like new. Incredibly smooth, quick and sensitive. I'm seriously considering retiring my Acrolite and Supraphonic for studio use only, and getting either a Sonor Select Force Blue Galaxy Fade snare drum that one of the used drum shops just up the street from is selling for just under $300, or a PDP Concept Maple snare drum that i tried out at my main local music shop. At 10 lies of maple, with the MAG throw-off, true pitch tuning rods, and double ended/retro style mini turret lugs, it's a magnificent beast of a snare drum, with incredible crack, power and warmth. Tuning range is also great. I think this will be the way to go. Thoughts, please Yes Sir
Cheers,
Rob
