Well, either this was a really dumb idea and no one is wanting to tell me this or I have stumped the panel! No thoughts on this?

Hello!

It´s only one idea I have: Due to the design of lugs, for me the timbales look like some kind of Pearl-made drums, not Ludwig. I have a pair of Maxwin (lower-end product line of Pearl) timbales, that look similar to yours.

Hm. On second thought: You have to drill some new holes into the shells, and what about the snare-bed? This could be tricky to get that managed, I think...aside from the fact that the shells are thinner than snare shells usually should be? I think this could result in a "ringy" kinda tone?

None the less, I don´t want to keep you off your plans and wish you best success in transforming them! And please keep us in the loop, I´d like to know how it went! Those could become nice effect drums!

Btw:Almost 30 years ago I transformed a leftover 14" Sonor Phonic concert tom into a snare - with a dubiously result, but that was because of my personally lack of skill baby crawl2 (I was fifteen!)

big -

1. 402's are made from Ludalloy not steel.

2. No snare beds. How do you crimp snare beds at home.

3. Unless you're real good at laying out the holes and drilling into metal, it's not worth it.

Why ruin a vintage set of timbales? Sell them for whatever you can get and treat yourself to a vintage snare drum. There are enough Latin music players out there that you should find a buyer for them. Please don't start drilling holes and hammering snare beds into them. Pass them on to somebody who will appreciate them.

2cents

John

Thanks Lissy and John,

I'm not going to go down the transformation road. Sounds to head-achy.

I am a little disappointed that they may not be Ludwig brand. Any other way of telling?

Those drums are a cheap Japan or Thialand made drums. Any Ludwig set would have a Ludwig badge

Hey man, Those lugs look like Pearl. Snare beds in metal is always a problem.

Hole layout looks challenging for snare lugs.

I like and could use some timbale.

Keep em as is and do some Tito Puente/Santana stuff.

SA

Me gusta Tito Y Carlos mucho!

Did Aspire make timbales in the late 70's? They look like these;