I own 2 Ludwig COB Supra-phonics and none of them is perfectly round but rather oval.
I measured the diameter on two different places. One is from strainer to butt and the other one is turned 90? to the first - so from the right lug next to the badge to the opposite lug on the other side. I did measure these two diameters on the top side as well as the bottom side of the shell.
This is what I discovered:
- top side diameter from strainer to butt: 35,5 cm
- top side diameter from one lug to the opposite and turned 90? to the strainer-butt diameter: 35,2 cm
- bottom side diameter from strainer to butt (bearing edge extends even more because of the pressed-in snare beds): 35,8 cm
- bottom side diameter from one lug to the opposite one: 35,1 cm
Normally 14" is about 35 cm.
Is this normal and if so, why did Ludwig do this?
If not, how could these brass shells go out of round? I don't see any heavy hitting marks or dents which could be a sign that the drum felt down and metal shells don't go out of round because of humidity or temperature.