NOS Supra shell project

[ARGuy]

I was one of the forum members fortunate enough to get one of the NOS Supra shells that forum member mfry2112 posted about in a thread late last year: https://www.drumforum.org/threads/nos-supra-shells.204110/#post-2417584
I want to thank him for taking this on - it sounds like it may have turned into a little bit more of a hassle than he first thought, but he got it done!
I was really interested in one of the shells because I've got a couple of extra 5x14's that I don't play that would be parts donors, and since these were already drilled for Ludwig lugs, it would be a pretty easy project. I was a little concerned that my Imperial lugs, which definitely show some wear, would look a little out of place on a brand new chrome plated shell, but I needn't have worried. The shells turned out not to be chrome plated, which was even better as far as I'm concerned. It looks like they may have been sand or bead blasted in preparation for plating? I really, really like the look of the shell. I decided to see what would happen if I took some #0000 steel wool to brighten it up a little bit. The half to the left of the bead has been polished, while the area to the right of the bead hasn't. Here's a photo of the shell:

 

[shuffle]

I think the left looks great!
Do the whole thing,a satin finish,very cool.

 

[Sequimite]

Coincidence: I got one of the shells as well and bought a set of Imperial lugs taken off a new Supra for it. I'm going with Pearl 1.6 Fat Hoops and am trying to decide which strainer butt combo to put on it.

I'm applying the axiom that I picked up building partscasters: "If you don't spend twice as much as you can sell it for you're not doing it right." My total will probably be $453.

 

[Sequimite]

Mine just arrived. After cleaning it I guess I may also try buffing.

Thanks myfry2112.

 

[K.O.]

I've got one too!
Still deciding how to proceed with it. Imperials or tube lugs? I can't seem to find the tube lugs I was thinking of using so that might help the decision.


A bit nervous about drilling for the throw and butt. I've done it before, measure twice (or maybe five times), drill once.

 

[Sequimite]

I've got one too!
Still deciding how to proceed with it. Imperials or tube lugs? I can't seem to find the tube lugs I was thinking of using so that might help the decision.

A bit nervous about drilling for the throw and butt. I've done it before, measure twice (or maybe five times), drill once.

I got my new Imperials from a guy who took them off a new Supra in order to put on tube lugs. I was going to use tube lugs but decided to check ebay first for Bowties and Imperials and got the Imperials for what I would have spent on tube lugs.

I finally figured out to put a big piece of blue painters tape on the shell on which I can mark and measure over and over before drilling.

 

[K.O.]

I got my new Imperials from a guy who took them off a new Supra in order to put on tube lugs. I was going to use tube lugs but decided to check ebay first for Bowties and Imperials and got the Imperials for what I would have spent on tube lugs.

I finally figured out to put a big piece of blue painters tape on the shell on which I can mark and measure over and over before drilling.

I already have the blue tape affixed but have yet to start measuring. I need to dig out my 402 to determine proper placement. I have a P-88 sitting about. I dismantled a 60s Supra about 30 years ago. I know I still have all those parts somewhere, but I'm not quite sure where. Likewise, I swapped out Ludwig tube lugs for the then new Flat Back Imperials a few years back on another drum, but the tube lugs, which I know I just saw a couple weeks ago, don't seem to be where I thought. Worst case I have a seriously pitted Supra I can strip if need be.

 

[Sequimite]

Man, you two have the parts. I used a Ludwig snare drum from 1963 to 1975 but haven't owned one for decades and have no Ludwig parts on hand. Part of the appeal of this project was having a Ludwig snare drum again.

 

[K.O.]

Man, you two have the parts.

Too many parts, that's why I can never find what I need when I need it.

 

[green glass drum]

Hey great guys. Where do you source the spacer washers that Ludwig used on metal shells?
Are these shells still available? 6 1/2?
Thanks....Cool.

 

[K.O.]

Hey great guys. Where do you source the spacer washers that Ludwig used on metal shells?
Are these shells still available? 6 1/2?
Thanks....Cool.

Cup washers, I have some already but you can order them online. There were only four of these shells available.

 

[green glass drum]

OK Thanks....so all gone. Where do you get the large cup washer/spacers sir? Thanks

 

[K.O.]

OK Thanks....so all gone. Where do you get the large cup washer/spacers sir? Thanks

Ludwig Lug Mounting Screw 8-32 X 1/2" Hex Head w/ Cup Washer

Ludwig hex head 8-32 X 1/2" mounting screw with cup washer. Used for mounting Ludwig lugs to their metal shell drums.

store.drumsonsale.com

Gretsch Cup Washer for Metal Shell Drums

Gretsch Cup Washer for Metal Shell Drums

store.drumsonsale.com

 

[Sequimite]

Rims came in today and I decided on the strainer, the Sonique strainer that a member is making. The shell I had planned to put it on is several months overdue. I'm using it on this shell for several reasons. Every single part I'm putting on this is brand new whereas the other strainers I had in mind are preowned. It is brushed aluminum, matching the shell. It is very light weight compared to my other strainers. The only problem is that the tension rods that came with the Imperials look too short so I may have to rummage to find some.

 

[Sequimite]

Also, peering at the photo, the box these came in has a ship date: 12/16/201?. I think it's 2014.

 

[Stretch Riedle]

I missed out on this project...!

 

[Sequimite]

Ok... so the Sonique snare strainer didn't work out because of the center bead. I used a George Way beer tap instead. Had to order tension rods: 2 1/4" Ross because I could get two day delivery and I'm very impressed with this Taiwanese product. Beautifully machined and chromed with a nice thick washer. I put a 24 strand Puresound on and I'm glad I did.

Wow, I played an Acrolite exclusively from 1963 to 1975 and haven't had one since. The sound of this was so familiar, but with a little more low punch from the 6.5 deep shell and a little more sharpness from the snares. I'm happy with the result.

 

[K.O.]

Tried mine out for the first time today...pretty awesome. Very happy with how it turned out.

Nothing too fancy but it does have 40 strand snares on it. Otherwise it's pretty much a dechromed 402.

 

[Sonique Drums]

This is really good feedback. We are already working on a version of our mounting bracket that will be retro-compatible with Ludwig "P" series throws meaning, it will fit 2 3/16" & 2 1/2" hole spacing. A little more tricky is that bead shell when the shell is shallow enough that the NATO-1 can't fit in under the bead. It's an interesting design change we'll want to wrangle with but I don't have a good timeline for when we'll have this solved yet.

I'm sad that this didn't work for your situation.

Adam

 

[Sonique Drums]

Ok... so the Sonique snare strainer didn't work out because of the center bead. I used a George Way beer tap instead. Had to order tension rods: 2 1/4" Ross because I could get two day delivery and I'm very impressed with this Taiwanese product. Beautifully machined and chromed with a nice thick washer. I put a 24 strand Puresound on and I'm glad I did.

Wow, I played an Acrolite exclusively from 1963 to 1975 and haven't had one since. The sound of this was so familiar, but with a little more low punch from the 6.5 deep shell and a little more sharpness from the snares. I'm happy with the result.
View attachment 614589 View attachment 614590 View attachment 614591

So, I ran across this the other day and thought of you. This guy makes a bracket with 7/8" spacing which the NATO-1 supports. If you're so inclined, you can pick this bracket up and retro-fit it to any beaded Ludwig. https://dominoretroplate.com/the-new-ludwig-throw-off-retroplate/

I'm trying to get in touch with this guy to see if he's wholesale them to us so we can offer them as an option for Ludwig (or other beaded drums).