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Vintage drum heads — play or save?

head ludwig vintage weather master weathermaster
Posts: 15 Threads: 7

Hi there,

I recently acquired a Ludwig pre-serial Club Date kit in 22/15/13 sizes with matching Jazz Festival Snare (snare date stamped 1963). As far as I can tell, all drums have the original Weather Master heads (the style with the sticker logo at top)—all show signs of wear but in playable condition. They seem cranked high to me on all sides, everything pretty high pitched at the moment (for my liking). Might be perfect for jazz, I don’t know.

In order to get the sound I like (lower pitch/fat), and to preserve original parts for the long run, I’m inclined to pull all the original heads and store them, and install new heads for playing. But thought I’d check with the experts here to ask what you would do.

I realize it’s all about personal preference, so maybe I’m more asking what others think about the sound and quality of those original heads—are they considered to be “good?” Or junk? Worth saving in case I want to resell the kit some day? Any comments welcome, thank you!

Posted on 2 years ago
#1
Posts: 304 Threads: 57

I'm no expert, but if you are going to play this kit, I'd change out the heads for something new. Save the originals for when you eventually sell it. I once had a 1958 Ludwig kit with the early "PlayOn" plastic heads. They actually sounded OK - just OK, but I never played that kit.

For what it's worth, a very experienced drummer friend recommended this technique for determining if an old head is still good....Hold it up by the metal collar and just tap the center with your finger. Just a tap. If you hear a note, a tone, the head is still good. If you hear only a finger hitting a thin sheet of plastic, discard the head.

I would think that original 1963 heads that have been cranked tight for jazz for decades, would not only be brittle and stale, but stretched and not easily tuned down to a nice tone.

I'm a collector and a player, so I'd save the original heads (for when you sell it), but put on Remo Ambassadors or something else modern of your choosing, and enjoy the sound that a classic kit can offer! (I've enjoyed Remo and Aquarians, and Evans for the bass drum on classic Ludwig kits.)

Regards, mb

Posted on 2 years ago
#2
Posts: 5173 Threads: 188

I agree with Marty's good advice.

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 2 years ago
#3
Posts: 223 Threads: 37

Change the heads and save them. They'll probably sound better with fresh heads anyway.

I just noticed this is my "first post." The explanation is, my account was deleted by accident a while back during a security breach (or something like that), so the system now sees me as a newbie. Ugh. It is what it is.

'23 DW Collector's, Black Galaxy: 13/16/18/22/14 sn.
'01 DW Collector's, Oyster White: 8/10/12/14/16/22.
'24 DW Performance, Gold Sparkle, 12/14/20.
'59-ish Slingerland Pink Sparkle, 13/16/22.

'72 Slingerland Red Tiger Pearl: 12/13/16/16/22.
'70ish Slingerland Merlot Sparkle rewrap: 13/16/24.

'68ish Slingerland rewrap: 13/16/22.

'69 Rogers Holiday, Red Onyx: 13/16/24
'67 Ludwig Burgundy Sparkle: 12/13/16/22.
'70-ish Ludwig Std, Burgundy Oyster: 13/16/22.
'69-ish MIJ Drum Mate: Peacock Pearl: 13/16/22.
'67-ish MIJ Crown, Red Sparkle, 12/13/16/22.

'67-ish,. MIJ Drum Mate, Blue Oyster, 12/13/16/22.

 

 

Posted on 2 years ago
#4
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

Can I buy old heads

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 2 years ago
#5
Posts: 2753 Threads: 132

My recent purchase of a 1968 Slingerland drum set came with new heads all around. The original heads (or the heads that were on the drums when the store acquired them) are all in boxes from the new heads. That's where they will stay in my drum room.

No matter how far you push the envelope, it is still stationery.
Posted on 2 years ago
#6
Posts: 39 Threads: 9

Get new heads but keep the old ones.

Posted on 2 years ago
#7
Posts: 5291 Threads: 226

+1 for saving the vintage heads...

When the drums I purchase come with vintage or original heads, I remove them and replace with modern heads...Like the others have stated, I save and put them in the cardboard boxes that the new heads come in...

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 2 years ago
#8
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

Play them best ones to use .

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 2 years ago
#9
Posts: 15 Threads: 7

Thank you all — appreciate your comments and recommendations!

Posted on 2 years ago
#10
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