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Help! Is this a Ludwig Coliseum?

Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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Hey everyone. Been a while. Oddly enough, my last post was questions on a Coliseum snare about 4 years ago. Anyway-I’ve since regrettably sold that snare and am looking for another. I found this (pics attached) on my local craigslist and believe it is a Coliseum. It is not listed as such and only says “70’s Thermogloss Ludwig snare”. I’m not sure how to ID these snares other than the depth and lugs. There are 12 lugs, which checks out to be a coliseum and it looks to be 8x14, which I believe also checks out as most or all of Ludwig’s other wood snares around this time were not as deep. Could be wrong on that.

Any help would be much appreciated!!

Posted on 4 years ago
#1
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255
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This is from the 1980 Ludwig supplemental snare catalog....

Mike

Posted on 4 years ago
#2
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From D-Rum

It is not listed as such and only says “70’s Thermogloss Ludwig snare”. I’m not sure how to ID these snares other than the depth and lugs. There are 12 lugs, which checks out to be a coliseum and it looks to be 8x14, which I believe also checks out as most or all of Ludwig’s other wood snares around this time were not as deep... Any help would be much appreciated!!

Yes that is a Coliseum. They were first presented in the 1980 snare, but not the main product catalog (so not really a true 70's snare - although there is some potential that there was production in '79 - I'd assume the later part of the year if at all).

You're on track to the keys at identifying this model from the others in Ludwig's line up. The first one is the 12 lug configuration and the shell depth as you've identified. The key difference is in the space between the lug and the rim in the Coliseum & Rock/Concert - obviously there's a bit more room in the Coliseum model which is visually apparent. Also featured in this model were "Tension Lock Nuts," which weren't stock offerings on other drums. However, their absence doesn't rule out a Coliseum as they may have simply been removed by the previous owner - but their presence is additional evidence. Not sure why they offered these on the drum as you might think a 12-lug drum would be the least likely to go out of tune compared to others with fewer lugs.

In the mid-80's Ludwig rounded out the drum set snare line-up with another shell even deeper than the Coliseum called the "Classic Deep Rock Snare," this was a 10" x 14" snare... but this one is really easy to spot, but aren't very common (the depth made it challenging in your basic snare stand). It had a really deep shell and different lugs compared to the Rock/Concert and Coliseum. I've attached images of the Rock/Concert, Coliseum and the Classic Deep Rock snares for your reference.

I think the natural maple Coliseums are the most attractive, I've got one myself that was my main snare for years. I think these sound great and are a bit underrated and if you can get it for a good price I'd recommend it.

Posted on 4 years ago
#3
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D-Rum, that drum looks to have the BO3 badge, used late 70's to approx. '82 (per R. Gier's dating guide). Makes sense.

Posted on 4 years ago
#4
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I saw that drum. It looks nice and is at a good price too. Definitely looks like a coliseum.

Posted on 4 years ago
#5
Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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Thanks guys!

Yeah it was a good price. That’s probably why he responded to me with “Sold” haha. I did however find another one locally, same finish and dimensions but no muffler and pricier. I’ll see what I can do on that one. Thanks again everyone.

Posted on 4 years ago
#6
Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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Is it strange that the badge is almost tucked under the lug on this one? Pic below.

Posted on 4 years ago
#7
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A little strange, but it might not have been placed properly in the drilling jig. My Coliseum and others that I've seen are centered. However, errors can happen as not all work is done by drum "nerds."

A few years ago I bought a 6.5" x 14" LS403TD snare that had the exotic Birdseye maple veneer, which overall was lightly figured, and they managed to put the most hardware on the most figured panels!!! I wish they had nothing but obsessive drum nerds building/assembling drums, but I guess we've got to just live with what is.

These aren't really uncommon and if you want a specimen that has a more centered badge, I'm sure the next Coliseum is just around the corner.

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Posted on 4 years ago
#8
Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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Aw man! That would have drove me crazy. The off-centered badge kind of drives me crazy too, but if I can get it for cheap I’ll deal. I really just wanted to make sure it wasn’t a sketchy thing and just something that was cosmetic. Thanks :)

Posted on 4 years ago
#9
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