Sven62
New Member
Looking to acquire a 6.5x14 Ludwig LM402. Anyone have any thoughts on an older one vs. a newer one? I know an early 70s O/B badge will cost more... but do they sound any better than a 90s, 00s, or a new one? TIA!
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New Bonham snare vs Vintage Bonham snare
- Thread starter Sven62
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Redbeard77
Very well Known Member
The main difference is the older ones have 1.6mm hoops vs the newer ones with 2.3mm hoops.
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Talktotommy
Well-Known Member
Pretty close but there are differences. You may or may not notice. If you can afford a nice older one I’d go for that.
Yeah. the new ones are made from recycled beer cans. Ain't nothing like the real thing.
I believe in the mojo of vintage! I bought a pimply, eye sore B/O badge LM402 for a major bargain. I put on a coated Emperor, Diplomat snare side and slapped 42 strand wires on it - and I have it tuned right into the Bonzo sound......it's a fugly killer!!!
Sven62
New Member
I detect a note of sarcasm.
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Honestly. I’ve never compared the new vs the old. I’m sure it’s fine. But if you ARE going to buy new there’s other companies like Yamaha and Tama that make comparable 6.5 Alumimium drums to consider. Also, in think guys on this board are more fond of the reissue 6.5 Acrolite than the 402. I know I am. Both are 10 lug drums. I personally bought one of the all satin brushed Acrolite reissues and love it. And I have a 70’s 402 as well
can I ask what the prices are these days ? For both the older and new ?
can I ask what the prices are these days ? For both the older and new ?
I went for Oriollo's Phantom65 over a LM402 which I've had many. Hands down, to my ears, the Phantom won, big time. 8 lugs. None of the harshness that I was used to getting out of my LM's. That being said, I've got a LM400 that I use as a back up when I gig. The Oriollo's are on the stand tho when I'm playing aluminum.
I have a late-'70s 402 and have tried out many modern 402s over the years. I think the modern version has a LITTLE more pop and ring due to the slightly thicker hoops. A slightly chunkier rimshot tone. But they're very close. Extremely minute differences, not large. Either is a safe bet.
equipmentdork
DFO Veteran
I have 400s from the 60s, 80s, and 90s. My favorite is a 1998 model, go figure. I have a 402 from '65 that fits right in and has "that" sound.
Dan
Dan
Good point, Charlesm - OP, if you find a good deal on a modern one, swap out the hoops for 1.6mm hoops........maybe that will sound close.....
My '65 6.5x14 is different than my 70's B/O. My '65 has a "normal" set up - coated amb. My B/O is a Bonham setup and tuned accordingly. I honestly could not say whether they sound similar as the B/O only has one purpose for me.......my 80's and 90's are all bronze Supras and/or BB's......my '00 BB is brass. I had a '00 decade 5x14 and it sounded similar to vintage but lacked mojo....
I think Bonzo would have approved of that.
I'd leave it as is, personally. I like the character of the modern 402 just fine.
equipmentdork
DFO Veteran
I'm thinking of looking for a 402 from that 1998 vintage. I might be fooling myself, but maybe there was something really happening around that time. I get nothing but compliments on the 98 400. It gets a Remo Renaissance Emperor and kills at all tunings.
Dan
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Monroe big gold badge ? Those are good drums
backtodrum
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I bought a modern LM402 in the last 5 years. I stole it really! I walked into a small music store near where I live and saw a newer keystone 402 in pristine condition for $199 I picked it up and walked to the check out and bought it on the spot. The store manager said that's a nice Acorlite don't you think? I smiled and said it's not an Acrolite it's a Supraphonic LM402. The look on his face was priceless. I told them thanks for the drum and turned and walked out of the door. As you stated there was no muffler so I went on line and bought a new Ludwig muffler for it and installed it using the same measurements and location as my LM400. It looks completely at home and works beautifully. As for new 402 verse old 402 comparison? My buddy has an early 70s blue/olive badge LM402 set up with same heads and all and both of us in a side by side comparison and could not tell any real appreciative difference in sound when tuned the same. We even used a drum dial and used same settings side by side just for comparison sake. The only difference was visually out side of a little chrome pitting on his older model, was, as has been said many times before, my Supra has slightly more lug splay than his. With that said there is not enough lug splay to cause me enough concern to want to change out the hoops.
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Yes, the older B/O badges had a muffler, as did later ones in the 80's and 90's. I'm not sure why they don't anymore other than cost. I have added mufflers to modern snares - pretty easy.
I had a '00's 5x14 Supra picked up for a steal and was disappointed by the fact that it also suffered from the pitting issues (you'd think they'd learn a better method after 50 years!), so I sold to back to vintage. If it's going to be pitted, might as well be the original. And yes, the newer drums have the splay issue due to oversized hoops, but you can swap out pretty much ANY other hoop and that goes away (even with those unsightly lug gaskets).
My '65 6.5"x 14" has no pitting whatsoever.....go figure.......
I had a '00's 5x14 Supra picked up for a steal and was disappointed by the fact that it also suffered from the pitting issues (you'd think they'd learn a better method after 50 years!), so I sold to back to vintage. If it's going to be pitted, might as well be the original. And yes, the newer drums have the splay issue due to oversized hoops, but you can swap out pretty much ANY other hoop and that goes away (even with those unsightly lug gaskets).
My '65 6.5"x 14" has no pitting whatsoever.....go figure.......
does it all and then some
