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70's Ludwig Super Sensitive Black Beauty - Need SS mechanism

Posts: 449 Threads: 81

I just picked up a 5x14 1970's Ludwig Super-Sensitive Black Beauty.

This is my first BB and first SS.

What type of heads and wires do you fine folks use on yours? I have used Evans Genera dry heads with the small holes around the perimeter on my 70's 6.5x14 and 5x14 Pearl Jupiter snares. They seem to eliminate some ring. I have a regular emperor on my 14x5 Gretsch COB.

It is missing the bottom hoop and the SS mechanism entirely. I bought it based off of one not so great picture of it stacked on top of other drums from a couple of states away. I intentionally didn't ask a lot of questions figuring if the drum was what I thought it was there wasn't any downside to the purchase unless it was dented all to heck, and even then based on the condition of the other drums, I was willing to roll the dice and take a gamble for the amount I paid for it thinking I could add a throwoff and hoop easily. I didn't think about it being a SS. I have never played one, but have always been intrigued with the idea of one.

Anyone have a complete SS mechanism or know if Reproductions are available anywhere? I understand that Ludwig discontinued them a few years ago.

Thanks!

Posted on 3 years ago
#1
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

Hi CLP!

I had an early 70's SS snare drum and really liked it! Dialing in the strainer system can take time and you need to be sure none of the parts are bent. That being said, it might be difficult to find a complete mechanism. The most likely sources are eBay and Reverb. If you find one, expect to pay heavily for it! Still, you never know what's out there and someone may be offering one for a fair price.

As to heads, I will say from experience that you will need a Ludwig Weathermaster snare-side head for the mechanism to work properly. That's because the Ludwig head has a short collar, allowing the snares to drop completely away from the head when in the "off" position. It just won't work properly with Evans, Remo or Aquarian snare-side heads.

Hope you find your parts and have fun with your SS!

Attached is a picture of the underside of the SS I used to own.

-Mark

1 attachments
LSS.jpg
127 kB
Posted on 3 years ago
#2
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

Completely forgot to mention that you'll also need the proper bottom hoop, which has a larger drop gate area to allow for lowering of the wires. You can't use a "normal" snare-side hoop.

-Mark

Posted on 3 years ago
#3
Posts: 304 Threads: 57

And as Mark mentioned above in regards to the snare-side head, the Ludwig part number is C1114. I dunno if Ludwig has more than one type of snare-side head, but the C1114 will work great on a SS.

I had a 6 1/2" SS for 30 years and never had any trouble with it, although I am not too great at tuning snares. It was my best-sounding snare ever, but I got tired of always fighting the large snare mechanism guards (protecting bars), and switched to Supras and Jazzfests about two years ago. Those guards were always in the way, and although some drummers remove them, I never thought that was a good idea. They are there for a reason, although they can be awkward with a drum kit.

Enjoy! MB

Posted on 3 years ago
#4
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

From idrum4fun

Hi CLP!I had an early 70's SS snare drum and really liked it! Dialing in the strainer system can take time and you need to be sure none of the parts are bent. That being said, it might be difficult to find a complete mechanism. The most likely sources are eBay and Reverb. If you find one, expect to pay heavily for it! Still, you never know what's out there and someone may be offering one for a fair price.As to heads, I will say from experience that you will need a Ludwig Weathermaster snare-side head for the mechanism to work properly. That's because the Ludwig head has a short collar, allowing the snares to drop completely away from the head when in the "off" position. It just won't work properly with Evans, Remo or Aquarian snare-side heads.Hope you find your parts and have fun with your SS!Attached is a picture of the underside of the SS I used to own.-Mark

Mark,

Thanks for the scoop!

It seems like these things are like finding hen's teeth. I am going to source a Ludwig snare side if I can find one.

Thanks!

Posted on 3 years ago
#5
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

From idrum4fun

Hi CLP!I had an early 70's SS snare drum and really liked it! Dialing in the strainer system can take time and you need to be sure none of the parts are bent. That being said, it might be difficult to find a complete mechanism. The most likely sources are eBay and Reverb. If you find one, expect to pay heavily for it! Still, you never know what's out there and someone may be offering one for a fair price.As to heads, I will say from experience that you will need a Ludwig Weathermaster snare-side head for the mechanism to work properly. That's because the Ludwig head has a short collar, allowing the snares to drop completely away from the head when in the "off" position. It just won't work properly with Evans, Remo or Aquarian snare-side heads.Hope you find your parts and have fun with your SS!Attached is a picture of the underside of the SS I used to own.-Mark

From Marty Black

And as Mark mentioned above in regards to the snare-side head, the Ludwig part number is C1114. I dunno if Ludwig has more than one type of snare-side head, but the C1114 will work great on a SS. I had a 6 1/2" SS for 30 years and never had any trouble with it, although I am not too great at tuning snares. It was my best-sounding snare ever, but I got tired of always fighting the large snare mechanism guards (protecting bars), and switched to Supras and Jazzfests about two years ago. Those guards were always in the way, and although some drummers remove them, I never thought that was a good idea. They are there for a reason, although they can be awkward with a drum kit.Enjoy! MB

Thanks Marty. I can understand the concerns with the guards. It seems like a lot of pictures I have seen are not using them. I wonder if they were lost or were removed becasue they were in the way.

If I come up empty I will try a work around, but not sure I would want to drill the shell for a strainer. I am not sure if an Inde strainer would work.

Thank you.

Posted on 3 years ago
#6
Posts: 350 Threads: 33

This is a little off topic, but I believe that Joe Morello used (promoted) the SS for a short while then reverted to the Supraphonic. Note the snare guard by his left knee.

1 attachments
Joe Morello with SS.jpg
20.5 kB
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Posted on 3 years ago
#7
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

From kdg

This is a little off topic, but I believe that Joe Morello used (promoted) the SS for a short while then reverted to the Supraphonic. Note the snare guard by his left knee.

I don't think I have ever seen a picture of him with an SS. Thanks for posting!

Posted on 3 years ago
#8
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

From kdg

This is a little off topic, but I believe that Joe Morello used (promoted) the SS for a short while then reverted to the Supraphonic. Note the snare guard by his left knee.

Wow! I've seen this picture many times and never noticed the snare guard! Thanks for pointing that out!

-Mark

Posted on 3 years ago
#9
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

The mechanism has been sourced. Thanks for your help everyone!

Posted on 3 years ago
#10
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