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High quality wires for Ludwig SS snare?

Posts: 304 Threads: 57

Hi guys,

Can anyone recommend a good quality brand of snare wires for a late (1976) Super Sensitive? I replaced my original wires with a new (recent production) Ludwig brand, but after a short time, several of the wires have broken off at the solder joints. Even though the drum is transported in a fibre case, I seem to break a wire almost every month.

I recently replaced these wires with an unknown brand "Made in Taiwan," but they seem to be slightly long. I've got the knurled adjustment "wheels" all the way out to the end of the bolt-stems, and the wires are just barely tight enough to sound good.

Anyhow, what company makes SS snare wires that I can depend on for high quality?

Thanks much, and Happy New Year! MB

Posted on 5 years ago
#1
Posts: 1334 Threads: 235

From Marty Black

Hi guys,Can anyone recommend a good quality brand of snare wires for a late (1976) Super Sensitive? I replaced my original wires with a new (recent production) Ludwig brand, but after a short time, several of the wires have broken off at the solder joints. Even though the drum is transported in a fibre case, I seem to break a wire almost every month.I recently replaced these wires with an unknown brand "Made in Taiwan," but they seem to be slightly long. I've got the knurled adjustment "wheels" all the way out to the end of the bolt-stems, and the wires are just barely tight enough to sound good. Anyhow, what company makes SS snare wires that I can depend on for high quality?Thanks much, and Happy New Year! MB

PureSound makes those. AK Drums (Italy) makes excellent reproductions.

Mike

Posted on 5 years ago
#2
Posts: 525 Threads: 37

Ludwig's best snare.

Too bad they discontinued it from their main catalog.

Posted on 5 years ago
#3
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

I had good luck with Gibraltar wires, SC-363E. Here's a link...https://drumsonsale.com/gibraltar-sc-363e-14-20-strand-split.html

-Mark

Posted on 5 years ago
#4
Posts: 304 Threads: 57

Thanks guys....appreciate the leads. I will order both a Gibraltar and a Pure Sound. MB

------------------

Posted on 5 years ago
#5
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

From Marty Black

Thanks guys....appreciate the leads. I will order both a Gibraltar and a Pure Sound. MB------------------

Hi Marty!

Both wires are excellent. What you will find, is that the PureSound wires will give a slightly darker sound. It's just the nature of the wires, but offers a different "voice" to your SS. The Gibraltar is closer in sound to the original Ludwig wires. Having choices is never a bad thing!

-Mark

Posted on 5 years ago
#6
Posts: 350 Threads: 33

I highly recommend Bill Wanser of Olympic Drums in the Seattle area.

He has built several custom SS combinations for me over the years (i.e. Gut, Wire, Cable, and all individually adjustable). He is highly knowledgeable in solving the problems of fussy SS issues.

1974-75 Rogers Starlighter IV New England White 13/16/22 (w/Dyna)
1964-67 Rogers Blue Glass Glitter 12/14/16/20
early Oaklawn Camco Blue Moire 12/14/20
1926 Super Ludwig 5x14
1960-ish Ludwig COB 5x14 Super Sensitive
1960-ish Ludwig COB 6.5x14 Super Sensitive
1970 Ludwig COB Cut-Badge 5x14 Supra Phonic

Looking for a Camco Aristocrat SD in Blue Moire!!
Posted on 5 years ago
#7
Posts: 304 Threads: 57

Thanks KDG, I appreciate your recommendation and will keep it in "my hip pocket," but my Ludwig SS problems are solved, thanks to advice from Mike Curotto and Mark (idrum4fun).

I installed a Ludwig C1114 snare head (available from multiple sources on Amazon, I got mine from Chicago Drum Exchange), and Pure Sound wires (which are much easier to install than those of Ludwig manufacture). And I'll get a set of Gibraltar wires to have as a backup.

I play rock/pop, blues, country, so I don't need the super-sensitivity of the adjustable-individual-wire setup (nor do I have 'the ear' or the patience).

With a Remo Emperor Vintage batter head and moderate head tension (89 batter and 80 snare head with the drum-dial), I'm extremely pleased with the "vintage fat crack" sound the snare delivers. And very minimal to non-existent snare buzz on the toms. (This is a 1976 6 1/2" Super Sensitive).

Thanks and Regards, MB

Posted on 5 years ago
#8
Posts: 350 Threads: 33

Marty,

Sounds like a great combination. I'm glad you got it working for you again. Cheers!

1974-75 Rogers Starlighter IV New England White 13/16/22 (w/Dyna)
1964-67 Rogers Blue Glass Glitter 12/14/16/20
early Oaklawn Camco Blue Moire 12/14/20
1926 Super Ludwig 5x14
1960-ish Ludwig COB 5x14 Super Sensitive
1960-ish Ludwig COB 6.5x14 Super Sensitive
1970 Ludwig COB Cut-Badge 5x14 Supra Phonic

Looking for a Camco Aristocrat SD in Blue Moire!!
Posted on 5 years ago
#9
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

Marty,

Sounds like you got your SS dialed into what you are looking for. Enjoy!

-Mark

Posted on 5 years ago
#10
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