I've heard good things about those shells.....I've even considered a project like this myself using tube lugs, stick chopper hoops and a Leedy Broadway strainer and butt. Search Youtube for Blackdawg snares.....you should get a good representaion of how they sound that way....they use the Worldmax shells.

The only thing they're not drilled for are the strainer and butt end, and muffler (if you're going to use one--I wouldn't).

Still, seems like a pretty good deal to me. Like I said, it's a cheap way to "upgrade" to a brass drum.

I do really wish I could get one in plain brass though.

Sounds like a fun project !!

Well...the only thing stopping me from doing it is the total cost. I would want to build it a certain way and would have to purchase all the parts to do it that way. (I don't have many spare Ludwig parts anymore) It works out slightly cheaper than buying a NEW Ludwig non-engraved Black Beauty....but not by much. I have seen one or two of the reissue Leedy Black Brass Broadway snares on Ebay from time to time and they are almost $400...cheaper than a BB Ludwig, but still not cheap. I figured it out once...it was gonna cost me close to $500 for all the parts. So...cheaper...maybe, if you already have all the parts but the shell.....

Lugs can be had in good shape for not *too* awfully much. I just Googled and found new Imperial snare lugs for $8.48 each, so $84.80 for all ten of them, screws included.

http://www.drumsonsale.com/ludwigimperialtensionlugp2230b-p-6427.html

The shell is $129, so that's a little over $200 total, and you're nearly there.

Tube lugs are a few bucks cheaper each, though... definitely something to consider.

I think it depends on how pimped out you want the drum to be too. If you cheap out on the strainer to start out, and just go with one of the standard P-85 knockoffs, you can get something really functional for a low cost. The good thing about starting with a P-85 knockoff is, once the holes are drilled, it's easily upgradeable to a P-86, or a Trick with an adapter plate like I did on my Acro (the adapter plate would be necessary regardless of the hole pattern, since it lifts the strainer up to clear the bead in the shell).

Everything's upgradeable, though! :)

If I were doing a full-on BB, I'd go with tube lugs, single flange hoops, and all of the hardware would be brass. I just love that look.

I built a World Max with supra hardware. Looks great, but does not really sound like a black beauty though. It does sound good, and to my ears, better than a stock supra. I call mine the "Black Bastard."