Hi all,

Here's one that came to me from the fertile waters of eBay just before the 2010 Chicago Show.

1932-35 Ludwig & Ludwig 6.5x14 Green Sparkle Standard Model

I'm saying 1932-35 because of the tone control (1932) and the fact that the Imperial lug era started in 1935-36. The Green Sparkle has the normal cancer spots and there were a few layers of schmutz on the shell but my normal regimen of GooGone, Meguires #17 cleaner and #10 polish cleaned the shell up to be somewhat respectable (note: the sun was directly above me so there is a shadow on the shell but the Green Sparkle is actually uniform all around the shell). The nickel hardware needed a good cleaning and polishing (Cape Cod Polishing Cloths) and turned out very nice. There is the Leedy (after-market or factory) heater plate which always tells me that this drum was really played. I used the calf heads and James Snappi Snares that came with the drum so there you have it; nothing earth-shattering, an easy cleaning/restoration...but a cool old drum was brought back to life. Enjoy!

Mike Curotto