That appears to be the same badge as is on my 2015 Copperphonic...in other words the current Ludwig keystone re-issue. Also a vintage KB drum would have a brass grommet not a silver one. So the badge dates from the past 3-4 years. That doesn't necessarily indicate the age of the drum if it's not the original badge (although I'm unsure how someone from outside the factory could lay their hands on one of these new badges. Drum companies tend to try to prevent those getting out).

So I don't know what drum you may have...but that isn't a pre-serial keystone badge, circa 1960-1963.

Thanks K.O. and all. I care more about how this drum will sound than anything else, but I am interested in its age and history. If it is virtually new, that is totally fine.

And as someone wrote on a post concerning brass vs Ludalloy etc, the difference in sound with these drums is less about shell material than about tuning and head / snare selection.

I'm with Kevin on this one. The badge looks like the ones used on legacy classics now and the grommet looks like something Ludwig would use now. Is there any kind of sticker inside? Current Ludwig drums use a sticker with a barcode instead of a serial number. Do you have a pic of the drum showing the whole drum? Here's a new badge...

Mystery solved. The drum is now in my hands, and has a Monroe NC label inside. So the badge is a modern one as is the drum. I don't know the drum shell material definitively and when I have some time, I may look into this just out of curiosity.

Does anyone know when they discontinued the Super Sensitive model?

Thanks!

Its more than likely a normal ludalloy shell.

Yes, probably Ludalloy...great sounding drum no matter what. This my first Super Sensitive snare drum, and no regrets at all.

I am curious though, if anyone knows when Ludwig discontinued this model....there is no mention of the model on Ludwig's site.

Thanks!

Yep, I noted that as well. Perhaps it wasn't cost effective for the number of copies they sold, or maybe it's still available by special order only. I also noted there were only a couple of exotic woods mentioned on the site as well as only a few models of wood snares. There used to be a whole bunch of both. .

As far as I'm aware (and I'm no expert) the SS is still available. It is quite possible it is a custom order only item now. Exotic woods would also be custom order.

I would not at all be surprised to learn before the end of the year that Ludwig will open a "custom shop" to address these items, and perhaps also release limited custom shop offerings (like what Fender has done for a few decades now).

As a side note, I'm digging my old SS snare. Currently on my bop kit. I got a half-hour to play last weekend and it's a cool drum. I completely suck too I found out. Not playing for a year or more is not good. My mind is ordering things my limbs are not responding to...

Glad you're playing again! It's like falling off a log eh? A few gigs and you're back!

It would be smart marketing for Ludwig to have a custom shop, and you are right, it is a logical way to proceed with some of their great legacy products. My first gig opportunities with my new SS are coming this weekend, I can't wait!

Well, I have a three-year old so not a lot of time to do what I might want to do...

Maybe he and I will be swapping fours in a few years...