Is that a orange peel finish on the shell John? Cool drum! What year is this bad boy?

Yes, orange-peel texture on the outer shell. I'll take a close-up shot of the badge for you so you can see the finish and the unnumbered keystone badge. The presence of the red baseball bat muffler and pre-serial badge dates it to 62'/63'. I'm hoping Mike Layton chimes in because he can narrow down the year of manufacture for me - but, it's either 62' or 63'.

More photos to come...

John

So that orange peel is original? Yes, it is a cool one indeed.

Jeff/Glenn - Here's a shot of the badge and the finish up close:

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/orangepeel_zpsb773e2d3.jpg[/IMG]

It's a 'textured' aluminum shell.

John

John that's a excellent close up picture. I like the textured finish very different for the Acrolite. Were they all textured like this at first? I really know nothing about Ludwig drums.

Wow, now that is very neat. I have never seen an acro with that finish. I mean, I know they made the black version and a couple others but wow, I am getting my acro education this week thanks to you and Mike.

Very nice, thanks for sharing! Because of this site, I have learned how awesome these snares can be! I will be adding one to the lineup soon!

Yes, but only for the first year of manufacture. The drum changed almost completely the following year.

Differences between the models:

1. The first year of issue (what is more commonly referred to as the 'prototype' Acro,) has a welded, textured shell. All later Acro's had smooth, (one-piece) spun aluminum shells.

2. The bearing edges on the prototype are 'flattened' against the shell after bending. Later Acro's had the same bearing edges as the Supra, folded, but not flattened.

3. The lugs and hoops along with the shell were all aluminum on the prototype. Later Acro's sported COS hoops and heavier (pot metal) Bowtie lugs.

4. The snare beds on the prototype are 'crimped' as on the brass COBs. Later Acro's had the same 'bent' edges used on Supra's.

See photos:

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/muffler_zps517fd598.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/bearingedge_zps604b15ef.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/seamweld_zps2c8d9909.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/crimpedbeds_zps1fe41f7f.jpg[/IMG]

John

Hi John!

Congrats and Welcome to the "Early Acro´s Fan Club"LoLoLoLoLoLoLoLo

There was a thread a few days ago, here some info:

Only a few Acros (the myth said 200..) were developed during 1962 (mid to end) with that shell finish (among other exclusive attributes).

Known as "Orange Pell finish" or "Prototypes" many of us believe that "First Generation Acros" fits accurately.

History said that those were sent to main distributors in order to evaluate them. Many were returned, full of complains about the "soft aluminium hoops"

During 63/64, they were changed for the same legendary shell of the Ludalloy/aluminium Supra´s but with 8 lugs pattern hole.

The LM404 was original introduce in the ´63 Ludwig Catalog with the Orange Peel Finish. Then it was changed as we all know.

(Cool1Mike posted a very cool catalog scan!!!)

The rest is a well known history,

All this issue is well described at page 246 of Rob Cook´s book.

ps:

Greetings from an distant cousin!!!LoLoLoLo (see pics)