by Glenn Saber
I Purchased a 1924 Ludwig & Ludwig "Special Professional Outfit" in good condition from the elderly original owner about 25 years ago. It consisted of a 26" x 12" Artist's Special mahogany, single tension bass drum, a 14" x 4" mahogany snare drum with 16 thumb rods, a standard bass pedal, cymbal, cymbal arm and traps. I toyed with it briefly before storing it away. I accumulated a few more L&L single tension, thumb rod drums over the years with the goal of eventually putting together a complete drum kit.
I'm an architect and custom builder and have a difficult time restoring stuff. I have to customize everything and make it express my individuality. For instance, my daily driver is a hot rod 1952 Willys pick up truck with a custom extended cab and a fuel injected 454. I wrestled with the drum restoration decision for years. Do I simply clean them up and re-stain the mahogany like everyone else or should I do something a bit ... different? After I found this audacious, hilarious fabric ... do I dare wrap those drums with it? Of course!
Here I present my 1924 Ludwig & Ludwig, pirate-themed, single tension, center supported, thumb rod, 5 piece drum set. It is magnificent! and plays beautifully ... fun, loud and forgiving. That gong bass refuses to be ignored and is absolutely thunderous! An A Zildjian 22" swish knocker sizzle cymbal is my ride! Here is a list of the drums:
26" x 12" #199 mahogany Artist's Special bass drum now used as the gong bass. Part of the original Special Professional Outfit
14" x 4" #37 mahogany Standard snare with modern snare wires. Original snare wires stored. Part of the original Special Professional Outfit
26" x 14" #200 black lacquer Artist's Special bass drum
15" x 12" #216 mahogany Street Drum now used as the rack tom. Original two post throw-off, butt plate and gut snares stored.
16" x 12" #218 black lacquer Street Drum now used as the floor tom. Original two post throw-off, butt plate and gut snares stored.
All drums are wrapped in Alexander Henry's "Skelewags" 100% cotton fabric and secured with spray-adhesive. Then the fabric was covered with Vivid clear vinyl, self-adhesive automotive protection film. The finish looks and feels like a commercially available vinyl drum wrap. All original hardware and badges were stripped, polished and new grommets installed. The hard maple hoops were sanded clean and covered in two coats of Barn Red stain and one coat satin polyurethane. 3/4" flat jute rope accents and Pistol, the obnoxious parrot, complete the nautical theme. To pay homage to vintage lighted bass drums, I installed a 10" USB powered ring light with both wired and remote controls. I can summon up any color, any intensity and multiple lighting effects. Also made the height adjustable gong bass legs that include locking casters and can be played standing up. No new holes in anything and the wrap is removable ... if the third owner so desires. All 4 bass drum heads are the original calf skin and the others are shod in Remo Diplomat Fiberskyns.
This will be my new gig kit and will play it wearing a pirate hat and eye patch. Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!, Matey! I feel honored to play these vintage drums and to keep their voices alive. I know they're happy also.
My Facebook page. Pictures are downloadable:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=7399735186723547&set=pcb.7399831433380589
My other two sets are just as intriguing ... LOL!
Glenn Saber
Phoenix, Arizona