This was a long road, but it is completed. Allow me to introduce you to my 1926 Ludwig All-Metal Separate Tension Drum. This is the 5” x 14” “The Popular All-Around Drum” 2-Piece NOB Nickel Over Brass 10-Lug Single Flange NOB Rim Model.
I acquired this drum a year ago as just a shell with one lug, throw and butt plate attached. It was riddled with countless dents and headed to the trash, luckily I was in the right place at the right time to rescue it. I saw great potential. I spent the last year scouring, scrounging, searching and purchasing the needed parts. First I repaired and worked all the dents out, then it was on to a bath, soak, scrub and polish. I polished all the nickel lugs to a brilliant luster and polished the hoops and every piece of hardware.
Onboard is a NOS calfskin resonant head and a 1950 Remo Sound Master Orchestra Drum Batter from the Day Music Co. of Portland, Oregon. The resonant has hand written pencil inside: $4.00 Batter, I left it there, it’s kind of cool! The drum is also equipped with an original era correct Leedy Drum Heater. I unfortunately had to settle for 1960 Ludwig tension rods and wires for now, but they get the job done.
It is an amazing testament that this drum still exists at all considering it was headed for a less then honorable demise and I am happy to have been the one to have saved it. Most importantly above all is the sound, it has a solid crack and sensitivity that one would expect of all the great brass drums of this era, outstanding! Thank you for checking in on this journey and enjoy the photos.