I recently bought a set of Downbeat Ludwigs from the 60's. Each drum was originally from another kit so their age varies from '61 to '69. For some reason my 12" tom seems to choke a lot easier than the other drums. I've got coated ambassador batter and clear ambassador resonant. Does anyone know why or suggest an idea to prevent it? I've attached a link with pictures of the bearing edges of the kit, if anyone thinks this might be problem.http://vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=7989
Ummm...have a silver sparkle '64 Down Beat kit (I bought it in that year, so am the original owner) and don't recall seeing such messy looking bearing edges :eek: on any of my toms, including both 12 and 14 toms from the kit, or on the subsequent additions: 14 and 16 pre-serial floor and 13 (this one is from '68) toms...nor on the pre-serial 13 piccolo snare drum; they all are clean and smooth as a whistle!
Can't really tell you whether that's the reason yours "chokes" or not, but will mention that my 12 does seem to choke up a bit compared to the other toms on the set; however, it does vary to a greater or lesse degree with tuning.
Will also mention that a custom made 10 (by John Riolo in Oregon) rack tom wrapped in silver sparkle based on a Keller shell with a different cut bearing edge and same type of heads (Evans clear hydraulics--yeah, I know...but these heads do keep the practicing noise at a minimun and the neighbors happy! D' Drummer ) outperforms its vintage 12 brother by a good marging in terms of greater and more even resonant qualities, but I digress.
Seems to me, tho, that a little cleaning up and very, very careful truing of the bearing edge (only if is needed, but advice not to change its angle cut in any way, shape, or form!) on yours could very well solve the "choking" problem you're presently experiencing. Good luck on your quest!...
-elcid