Hi,

I’ve had this one for a long time but never really did and article on it. You can see this drum on pages 50-51 in my book Vintage Snare Drums The Curotto Collection. I originally got this drum from my good friend, fellow collector and drum shop owner extraordinaire Steve Maxwell.

1930- LUDWIG & LUDWIG 5 x 14 CHROME/ENGRAVED SUPER-SENSITIVE MODEL

Some History:

The Super-Sensitive Model was first introduced in 1929 along with the New-Era Sensitive, Standard-Sensitive and Super Power Models. It is generally agreed that the engraved “Super-Sensitive, Standard-Sensitive and Power-Sensitive (bottom rims) and New-Era Sensitive (top rim) signifies 1929. Stamped bottom and top rims of the 4 Sensitive models are thought to be 1930-. This drum is unique in a few ways.

I’ve added the story and description that I wrote in my book as this remains the best way to describe this drum:

Like most drum manufacturers of the time, Ludwig & Ludwig was very accommodating to their customers regarding special orders. This drum is a perfect example of that type of customer service. It was chrome-plated and then engraved with the 10-point floral pattern. When this instrument was first located there was a question of authenticity. Along with the general consensus that only the Black Beauty/DeLuxe Models had this type of engraving, it was also thought that the drum was chrome-plated after the shell was engraved, which would have made it an “after-market” drum. It was sent to John Wellington, Manager, Process & Materials Engineering at CPI (Communication and Power Industries) in Palo Alto, CA. His findings and high-tech photos proved that the drum is original manufacture because it was first nickel-plated, then chrome-plated, then engraved with the 10-point floral pattern consistent with the era.

Enjoy!

Mike Curotto