As vintage drum collectors and players, we often concentrate on specific drum manufacturers, models and eras of production. We also tend to migrate towards brands that have influenced our playing by a specific artist or drummer, sometime in our lives. After being bitten by the vintage drum bug, I found myself being infatuated with Slingerland Radio Kings and what made them so special.
There were many factors that ultimately contributed to my intrigue. After taking these drums apart and understanding the hardware and construction, I knew they possessed what I wanted in a drum. I was also drawn in by Gene Krupa’s unique, bombastic drumming style, his endorsement and long history playing Slingerland Radio Kings, exclusively. And, of course the legendary sound and shell construction convinced me these drums were at the top of my favorite list to play and collect.
Although, along the way, after navigating through curiosity, we all have had that defining moment of discovery that made us say,“wait a minute, what is this snare drum or drum set all about?”
And, this of course led me to another discovery of a unique model snare drum. This vintage snare drum was created because of the C.G. Conn Company consolidating the Ludwig & Ludwig and Leedy drum companies into one unified company.
This snare drum is a rare 1950s Leedy & Ludwig White Marine Pearl 5” x14”, Broadway model with a solid 1-ply maple shell. This drum has a special extended strainer and butt system. This particular snare drum possesses some of the best of all world designs and features. One major feature is the 3-point Leedy strainer incorporating a unique Ludwig designed, 3-positional snare adjustment. This enables the drummer to change snare tensioning by moving the throw handle left to right. This snare was designed similar to the 40s Leedy “Broadway Standard” model.
Here are the specifications and unique details:
~Shell construction: - The shell construction is 5”x 14” 1-ply solid maple shell with reinforcing rings. This beautiful shell was a seasoned leftover from the 1930s Ludwig & Ludwig manufacturing era.
● The inside shell is Leedy & Ludwig’s factory white painted to protect the shell. This is also a Leedy & Ludwig “free floating Shell” design allowing for easy head fitting and tuning- you could practically spin a head on the batter and snare side of the shell.
~Lugs: - The cast Ludwig & Ludwig Imperial lug design is the 2nd generation variety with swivel nuts. These lugs are beautifully crafted with an art deco vibe. Internal springs support the receiving nut to insure smooth self-alignment for the tension rods.
~Hoops : - Are chrome over brass, very ridged, double flanged rims with the stick chopper design. The top hoop has no name stamped into it like the 30s and 40s version. The snare side hoop has a 2-1/4” open snare gate. Also this snare side hoop has the “Broadway Standard” design, but no name stamped into the hoop, as well.
~Tension Rods are 12/24” tension rods with Leedy & Ludwig tall, square head design. These are 1-1/2” inches in length. Many American drum companies during this era utilized 12/24” thread, as this was the industry standard, and still is. The finer thread, 10/24” tension rod and size was Leedy’s unique design for accurate tensioning and precision tuning. This special size would be utilized on all Leedy drums until 1939.
~Strainer system: This snare drum is also equipped with a unique Leedy 3-point throw-off , that has a 3-way snare tensioner. The design was adopted from the exceptional 1st generation, offered in the later 1940s era. In addition, this 3-point strainer was offered on top of the line Leedy “Broadway” Models.
~This throw-off is equipped with a long-arm design, one piece extension arm attached to a cylindrical device with ball bearing riding on a 3-position striker plate. The throw arm and complete design functions very well, with a smooth, positive on and off snare positioning.
~Tone Control: The spring loaded tone control/muffler is a unique and effective design, Leedy & Ludwig offered this muffler as an order option on all of their top of the line drums. During the “Be-Bop era” many drummers preferred this option to control unwanted overtones. This tone control is a wonderful contribution from Leedy & Ludwigs creative process. And, this was because of both drum manufacturers sharing designs and parts made in the same building. All remaining hardware is finished in polished chrome plating.
~Snare wires - The snare wires installed are Leedy & Ludwig extended 20 strand designs. You can dial these snare wires in using the knurled knob adjustment along with the 3-position throw and set the desired tension.