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Questions about a 1920s Ludwig snare

Posts: 4 Threads: 1

Hi All,

I have to preface all of this by saying that I'm not a drummer...I'm a luthier.

I have what I believe is a 1920s Ludwig brass snare, given to me by my mother. She used it in her middle-school band practices in the early 1950s; it has been stored (not in a case, in a wooden chest) since approximately 1955.

The size is 14"x4", and it has ten tube lugs.

It is apparently nickel-plated, (yellow cast rather than blue), and seems to be a two-piece shell; there is no patent number on the piece anywhere that I can see, and other than one minor ding in the shell, it's in fairly good shape. The nickel is rather tarnished, and there are a few very small bubbles -on the rims- where the nickel is coming up and the brass is turning green underneath. The adjuster nuts are patina'ed, but not rusty. There is light surface rust on the captive end of the strainer mechanism. The wires are a 12-piece aluminum-ended type, with a little corrosion on the ends (not the wires themselves-those are fine). Looking through the vent hole, there is a little surface corrosion in the inside, but nothing severe, and it is not painted.

The heads are the ancient calfskin "Radio King" type that she got with the drum. They are still relatively tight.

I have no key, and it has not been tightened, loosened, or adjusted since the early 50s.

Here are some pics:

[IMG]http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/Koreyhead/Ludwig%20Snare%20Drum/Drum_badge_engraving_detail.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/Koreyhead/Ludwig%20Snare%20Drum/snare_drum_top.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/Koreyhead/Ludwig%20Snare%20Drum/snare_mechanism_lever_detail.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/Koreyhead/Ludwig%20Snare%20Drum/Snare_side_up.jpg[/IMG]

So my questions:

1) What might such a drum be worth?

I have no use for it and like all luthiers, need new tools.

2) is it better to clean it up, or leave it for a collector?

(I have worked around some very very expensive vintage instruments and also guns-I have a decent idea of how not to mess things up, but would rather not tackle this one if it's smarter to not do so)

3) What is the better path-to consign it, or to sell privately or on E-bay?

Thanks much,

Corey K

Posted on 17 years ago
#1
Posts: 2444 Threads: 288

Value is hard to pin down, some people might pay a lot for it if they are looking for it. #2 Don't clean it, let the new owner make that decision. #3 Try asking if anybody here is interested, or sell it on Ebay after doing some more research on it.

Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Posted on 17 years ago
#2
Posts: 353 Threads: 56

I haven't done consignment in years since eBay became so popular. Consignement usually means a 20% commission to the store. eBay is a lot cheaper than that. Look at the completed auctions for vintage snares and set a reasonable minimum versus what you see. Now if one of our experts puts a number on it, I defer to them. It looks like that drum will clean up very nicely so that should help the pricing.

Gary

Dix Hills, NY

http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/sabshga/

http://www.myspace.com/garysabshon

Posted on 17 years ago
#3
Posts: 353 Threads: 56

I couldn't resist. Look at this drum http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-4x15-LUDWIG-LUDWIG-NOB-SNARE-DRUM-1920s_W0QQitemZ200084547417QQihZ010QQcategoryZ64434QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It sold on an auction ending Buy It Now at $425. Indicates a motivated buyer and this drum had non original snares and heads and was an 8 lug drum.

Again I defer to the experts that frequent this forum, but this is a start in terms of supply/demand if you don't get feedback with a number attached.

Gary

Dix Hills, NY

http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/sabshga/

http://www.myspace.com/garysabshon

Posted on 17 years ago
#4
Posts: 4 Threads: 1

Thanks for the responses, folks. It's always tough when you get to something this unusual or old, especially when it's not your area of expertise. As an aside, the inside of my drum looks very much like the E-bay one...does anyone know if the spun-nickel-over-brass is uncommon, or more desirable? (Or, conversely, if it's a bogus designation?)

I just found out that a local used-instrument store has an 8-lug version like the E-bay piece, and they have it tagged at $595. And now a store in San Rafael, CA called Drummer's Tradition said they'd price it at $700-900, based on the photos.

That seems high to me, but I really don't know this market.

BTW, if anyone has any stringed instruments or amplification equipment they need advice on or an evaluation, I'd be happy to help.

Best regards,

Corey Keller

Posted on 17 years ago
#5
Posts: 1190 Threads: 86

That's a late '20s or early '30s Ludwig. 4 x 14's with the later professional or "timepiece" strainer are hard to find in complete condition. Although a cleaned up drum with good photos will usually get more $, most of us that have collected drums from the '20s and '30s are happy to find them in "original" condition. Although your drum looks tarnished, it's actually in very good shape.

The picture almost makes the drum look like a 15", which can be worth considerably less, but if it is a 14" I think it would get between $500 and 750.

Posted on 17 years ago
#6
Posts: 23 Threads: 3

When referring to Ludwig NOB 2 pc. shell snares I have found that a lot of collectors see no difference in value (including myself) between an 8 lug model and a 10 lug model. 8 lug was 'top of the line' in the first half of the 1920's. I personally prefer and own 8 lug models over the 10 lugs variants.

Posted on 17 years ago
#7
Posts: 4 Threads: 1

Thanks for all of the info given here! I think I have gotten a clear picture of what drum I have and what price range ought to be asking. You folks are awfully nice to a newbie.

I have taken some new pictures, if anyone would like to see them.

Oh, and Richk, it is indeed a 14" drum. I can take a picture of the drum with a ruler across the head if you'd like to see.

I'm thinking of placing it on E-Bay this evening or tomorrow, but would like to offer it here first. Is there anyone who would be interested?

By splitting the difference in range, I'd like to ask $700. Does that sound fair?

corey(AT)coreykeller(Dot)net

Thanks for everybody's help and advice. Again, if anyone has any stringed instrument questions, I'd be happy to help.

Best regards,

Corey Keller

Posted on 17 years ago
#8
Posts: 4 Threads: 1

Sold, pending payment. Wow, this is a *really* nice forum!

Corey Keller

Posted on 17 years ago
#9
Posts: 3267 Threads: 715

This is the Webmaster of the forum and web site and I want to say thanks for offering it here.

If I had the money I would have purchased that drum!

David

Webmaster

Posted on 17 years ago
#10
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