Stabilizing late 60s Ludwig 22" bass drum

[remymo]

Hey friends.

What tricks do you have for stabilizing those 60's ludwig bass drums and those butterfly legs that don't want to stay down?

 

[1988fxlr]

If the leg keeps slipping, the eyebolt in the bracket is probably too worn. Ludwig p1216d is a direct swap

 

[EyeByTwoMuchGeer]

Ludwig p1216d is a direct swap

Also, these newer brackets have better eyebolts for gripping, and also should feature a memory lock slot.

 

[becken]

Gently use some needle nosed pliers to tighten things up when you set up. I have a 1965 Ludwig BD, used it a lot over the years. Spurs still do their job. Now years ago I removed the rubber tips off of them so outward/sliding/unfolding is curtailed.

 

[TPC]

Worst. Bass drum legs. Ever.

Mine started to slip. So I tightened them more with a pliers. Then they started to slip. So I tightened them with a vice grips. Then they started to slip.

So I got them in position and metal epoxied them into place. Ugly and permanent, but NO SLIPPAGE!

 

[ThomFloor]

Replace them with a sturdy, modern working system.
Its a simple question of do you want old drums to function well or just look original.

 

[Fullerton 9/72]

Slingerland's spurs were the worst ever. And I generally love Slingerlands!

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

So I got them in position and metal epoxied them into place. Ugly and permanent, but NO SLIPPAGE!

How do you fit the bass into your drum bag if the legs stay open?

 

[JDA]

"gingerly"..

 

[drumtimejohn]

What works well for me is confirming both washers are there. Both are needed to create the proper friction for every Ludwig bracket.

 

[drumtimejohn]

If the problem continues try the solutions already noted, install the modern slotted bracket with memory lock. The original gull wing spurs and many of the new ones are too short to support the memory lock. DFD sells a repro with a long enough arm for the memory lock and a spur tip that’s is retractable (term will suffice). $16 for the pair.

 

[wflkurt]

Please nobody drill! Lol. I use these legs all the time and have never had a problem. Adding an extra washer helps. If the legs are the earlier version with the knurled pattern VS the straight lines, this can affect things too. If you really want things to be rock solid, I would get two new Ludwig classic brackets as well as the gull wing spurs that is currently offered.

Ludwig 10.5" Long Gull Wing Spurs

Ludwig replacement spurs for Legacy & Club Date bass drums. 10.5" long (measured from the angle to the tip) for use on the current Club Date 18" and 20" bass drums. Will also work on 22" and 24" bass drums if you are looking for a longer spur. 9.5mm (3/8") diameter for use on modern as well as...

store.drumsonsale.com

Ludwig Classic Tom & Floor Tom Leg Bracket

This is the classic bracket used on Ludwig toms & floor toms for over 50 years. Can be used as a replacement on nearly all modern & vintage Ludwig sets. The bracket mounts directly to the drum shell or to a VibraBand or RIMS suspension ring. Retrofits Ludwig drums from the mid/late 60's up to...

store.drumsonsale.com

I bought a set of gull wing reproductions from Jim Petty years ago and they are the best spurs ever! They are longer than the original and work really well. I always swap out the original ones for the Petty version when I do a gig.

 

[Spongebob]

4 cinder blocks in front of the drum

 

[jd.1138]

Please nobody drill! Lol. I use these legs all the time and have never had a problem. Adding an extra washer helps. If the legs are the earlier version with the knurled pattern VS the straight lines, this can affect things too. If you really want things to be rock solid, I would get two new Ludwig classic brackets as well as the gull wing spurs that is currently offered.

Ludwig 10.5" Long Gull Wing Spurs

Ludwig replacement spurs for Legacy & Club Date bass drums. 10.5" long (measured from the angle to the tip) for use on the current Club Date 18" and 20" bass drums. Will also work on 22" and 24" bass drums if you are looking for a longer spur. 9.5mm (3/8") diameter for use on modern as well as...

store.drumsonsale.com

Ludwig Classic Tom & Floor Tom Leg Bracket

This is the classic bracket used on Ludwig toms & floor toms for over 50 years. Can be used as a replacement on nearly all modern & vintage Ludwig sets. The bracket mounts directly to the drum shell or to a VibraBand or RIMS suspension ring. Retrofits Ludwig drums from the mid/late 60's up to...

store.drumsonsale.com

I bought a set of gull wing reproductions from Jim Petty years ago and they are the best spurs ever! They are longer than the original and work really well. I always swap out the original ones for the Petty version when I do a gig.

Thank you for this. I just have the spikey type of legs and didn't really want to put holes in the new carpet.

 

[multijd]

Worst. Bass drum legs. Ever.

Mine started to slip. So I tightened them more with a pliers. Then they started to slip. So I tightened them with a vice grips. Then they started to slip.

So I got them in position and metal epoxied them into place. Ugly and permanent, but NO SLIPPAGE!

The moral of this story is, “Don’t tighten them with pliers!”

 

[multijd]

Slingerland's spurs were the worst ever. And I generally love Slingerlands!

I have no problem with Slingerland spurs. And I NEVER use pliers on them. Lol.

 

[richardh253]

You may need new brackets but also might try the extended gull-wing legs that I found helpful on my 14x20 BDP Ludwig. I ordered them from Jack Lawton lawtondrums.com

 

[becken]

4 cinder blocks in front of the drum

Been there, done that. There is also, or was, a device you could put on the front BD rim and the spikes(on some models, I had a Ludwig one) could be nailed into the floor if it were a wooden or carpet covered floor). tying some small diameter rope to two BD T-rod handles on the batter head side, and wrap the cord around your throne. NEVER USE AN AMP or SPEAKER PARKED AGAINST THE FRONT/RESO HEAD, LEST THE HEAT MELT THE RESO HEAD!!!!

 

[mfry2112]

I play my drums hard and I never had this happen

 

[latzanimal]

Hey friends.

What tricks do you have for stabilizing those 60's ludwig bass drums and those butterfly legs that don't want to stay down?

View attachment 566896

Befriend a machinist and then have him make memory locks...