We know that the two rival companies that Conn came to own shared parts and the best of each others world's for a couple of years, I think from 1950-1954. Some of you know of the "innovative knob tensioning system" that was a complete disaster...Trying to understand this little bit of history, I recently aquired a gorgeous Leedy & Ludwig snare date stamped 5105 about the time of the knob disaster. At least L&L didn't go whole hog into knob tensioning drums and still produced time proven snares like this L&L "Broadway Standard" which incorporated the fabulously crafted Leedy 3 ply, maple, mahogany,maple shell with maple re-rings. Basically a Leedy broadway snare with the Ludwig "Standard" strainer and with 16 handsome Leedy NOS lugs. The Leedy Broadway strainer was very similar to the Ludwig Standard strainer but they went with the standard on this one. Note the "L" stamped on the tension knob...
A very nice combination of craftsmanship indeed! I took the pictures of the shell to illustrate Leedy's attention to detail in fine shell making. There is not an unglued place or separated seam anywhere.
I welcome your comments on Leedy & Ludwig and this "underappreciated" company.
Cheers!
~kellyj