Hoping someone can solve a minor mystery...
I have a Ludwig Supraphonic snare that I know I received as a Christmas present in 1973. I still use the snare today, it's pretty much the only snare I've ever owned/used.
The S/N is 1160082, which according to the guide would mean it was made in 1976, but it had to have been built sometime prior to December 1973.
Any ideas?
Hello JSHark...and Welcome to the forum! I'm no "expert" by any means in regards to Ludwig serial numbers, but I've had enough Ludwig drums to get a reasonably accurate date from them. I had a 9x13 tom, with Blue/Olive badge and serial number 1649417. Based on the fact that the muffler was now positioned about the badge, I knew it was from about 1977-78.
Posting pictures of your drum would certainly help to date it. Show pictures of the badge, throw-off and maybe some interior shots. Anything to help our resident Ludwig experts to better date your drum!
-Mark
1160082 does fit in the update serial number guides as a '73 issue. Rick Gier's Serial Number Based Dating Guides for Vintage Ludwig Drums will confirm this as well.
Mike
Thanks. I looked at a guide from Ludwig and another and it didn't line up, which made me wonder if it was older or if there had been an error.
Much appreciated!!
Hi Mike!Is this information posted anywhere, or do we have to buy the book?!!-Mark
You have to buy the book or ask those of us who have it to look something up. All the online serial number guides are rendered both obsolete and misleading by Rick Gier's work. He even managed to work out how they came to make the incorrect interpretations of the data they had. Unfortunately the interwebs just keep serving up the out of data and incorrect information. So it goes. I fight the same battle daily in terms of cymbal stamp timelines.
You have to buy the book or ask those of us who have it to look something up. All the online serial number guides are rendered both obsolete and misleading by Rick Gier's work. He even managed to work out how they came to make the incorrect interpretations of the data they had. Unfortunately the interwebs just keep serving up the out of data and incorrect information. So it goes. I fight the same battle daily in terms of cymbal stamp timelines.
Thanks for letting me know about this! I wasn't even aware about Rick Gier's work on the serial numbers. I'm more than willing to support his work by purchasing the book!
-Mark
Thanks for letting me know about this! I wasn't even aware about Rick Gier's work on the serial numbers. I'm more than willing to support his work by purchasing the book!-Mark
Oh. I didn't know you didn't know. It's published by Rebeats (Rob Cook).
Available from the Rebeats site or from Rob Cook via his eBay account:
Both Mike Layton and I passed all our own serial number and date stamp data on to Rick along with lots of other people, so this is the most comprehensive tabulation to date.
Oh. I didn't know you didn't know. It's published by Rebeats (Rob Cook).Available from the Rebeats site or from Rob Cook via his eBay account:https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ludwig-Drums-Serial-Number-Dating-Guide/311719336393?hash=item4893eb99c9:g:UuUAAOxyUrZSudxqBoth Mike Layton and I passed all our own serial number and date stamp data on to Rick along with lots of other people, so this is the most comprehensive tabulation to date.
Thanks for the link. I just purchased the book! I know that I've provided my serial numbers and date stamps from my Ludwig drums, both here and at DFO. Maybe my info was included! Looking forward to receiving the book!
-Mark
You'll love it Mark. I too thought that you already knew about it. Enjoy!
Mike
