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Restoration of a 1969? Ludwig piccolo snare (3x13)

Posts: 62 Threads: 8

Hi gang,

Well it's been a long time since I've revived an ailing drum, but this one jumped out at me at a Southern Oregon flea market. Poor thing is such a mess, but I am a sucker for lost causes like this one. It looks like someone has painted the top head and rim white, red then black, and there's rust on the throw-off and tension rods. Little did they know the value of this drum.

I was going to eBay this one up "as is" because it's been so long since I've worked on Ludwigs and I wanted to give someone the opportunity to refurb a vintage drum without much risk of screwing it up. I assumed they would rewrap the drum anyway.

Well, my conscience got the better of me. I was worried that whomever bought it might have some unknown difficulty and I would feel like I should have known about the problem.

I'm also worried that since it is such a rare drum to find that someone might try to "customize" it.

It looks like it is all original parts and the rust seems to be surface rust only.

My research (mostly here at VDF) has led me to believe this is a 1969 Jazz Combo. Can anyone confirm this for me?

Any advice is greatly appreciated, even some, "what I would do" comments are also welcome.

boop bop diddly op bippity bappity boosh
(very short drum solo)
Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Ha..gotcha beat on a worst condition 3 by 13...

Years ago I grabbed locally a 3 by 13 Luddy that someone had moved all the lugs! They put them in the middle of each panel ..in between where each lugs were...!Lame

I guess they felt Ludwig didn't know what they were doing...

Then,to make it worse..they put aluminum house siding around it!Laughing H

Then,to make it even worse..before that,they ripped the pearl finish off the drum..

Guess what color it was? By going inside the drum,there is always a little bit of pearl blended into the overlap (scarf?) sticking out..

I got some pliers in there,and broke off what little I could...

Turns out it was that ugly Oyster Black Pearl!CryBaby

I think that has to be the most destroyed drum I have ever seen...

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 917 Threads: 39

poor lil bugger

should clean up well with some love.

Hows the shell? Round, cracked etc?

Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 1955 Threads: 68

Boy, does that tensioner ever need a bath in Dawn!

-No Guru... still learning more every day-
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 812 Threads: 53

That really is a sad case! Can't wait to see it after you clean it up. Good luck!

Gary G.
1963 Ludwig Gold Sparkle Hollywood Kit
Ludwig Collection: 10 Vintage Snare Drums, 4 Customized Vintage Snare Drums, 4 Vintage Foot Pedals, 1 Single Value Bugle
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

That is sort of a 'grail' drum for me, and happens to be the same age as me...

If it becomes available, and I become wealthy, we should talk...LoLoLoLo

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 62 Threads: 8

From blairndrums

Ha..gotcha beat on a worst condition 3 by 13...Years ago I grabbed locally a 3 by 13 Luddy that someone had moved all the lugs! They put them in the middle of each panel ..in between where each lugs were...!LameI guess they felt Ludwig didn't know what they were doing...Then,to make it worse..they put aluminum house siding around it!Laughing HThen,to make it even worse..before that,they ripped the pearl finish off the drum..Guess what color it was? By going inside the drum,there is always a little bit of pearl blended into the overlap (scarf?) sticking out..I got some pliers in there,and broke off what little I could...Turns out it was that ugly Oyster Black Pearl!CryBabyI think that has to be the most destroyed drum I have ever seen...

Blairndrums, you win. Aluminum house siding? There's no emoticon for what I'm thinking right now. :)

Most of you guys have probably seen rims and hardware spray painted. Sheesh.

There must be a "worst refurbish nightmare" thread, right?

@Shawn

Well, the shell looks good and round. (heads fit nicely, not tight) There's a bit of glue on the inside near the seam for the reinforcement hoops that's cracked from drying out, but I don't think it will affect the tone. The bearing edges look good, but I want to check on a nice big flat surface.

@GG Vintage

I am optimistic about this drums recovery and return to the field. :)

@Jim

Jim, you are on my list when it becomes available. Let me know when you're rich.

I can't tell you guys how excited I got when I saw this. I knew right away it was a treasure in the rough.

Did I read somewhere that COB can be determined using a magnet?

Oh, can anyone confirm that it is indeed a Jazz Combo? I can't wait to hear this little guy.

boop bop diddly op bippity bappity boosh
(very short drum solo)
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 917 Threads: 39

A magnet wont stick to COB or NOB .

Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Guest

Yes, that's a Jazz Combo. I've got a 1959/60 with all the hardware brass plated (by the previous owner). So not stock, but I really like it.

[img]http://black.net.nz/drums/combo.JPG[/img]

They are great little drums. Do be careful not to over tension those sideways lugs when you get it all back together. That lug design can't handle high head tensions.

COB hoops went out around '64 or '65 ish, in favor of steel. Mine would have had COB but now they are just BOB, I guess. The way to differentiate between COB and COS is to look for the drop gate where the snares pass through. If you look at mine over on the right side there you will see it isn't just a flat piece going across. It has an elegant little lowered portion. I believe that change coincides with the move to steel. Of course, this only works for snare side rims...nothing else.

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 62 Threads: 8

@Shawn.

Thanks Shawn, I'll give them a go with a magnet.

Thanks Zenstat. I like the look of your snare. I do see the difference in the "snare gate". Good to know about "over tensioning" too.

Brass plated? That actually sounds like it would be very nice looking if it was done right.

Aren't these lugs just the strangest design? I am having a hard time finding any info on these Jazz Combo's.

Are these that rare now?

boop bop diddly op bippity bappity boosh
(very short drum solo)
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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