Vintage Sky Blue Pearl vs. Modern Ludwig Wrap

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yourland

yourland

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Hey guys,

I recently picked up a modern Ludwig classic maple snare in sky blue pearl. Here are a couple pictures comparing it to my '65 Pioneer in sky blue to show the differences between the vintage and modern wrap. I definitely prefer the vintage, un-faded wrap to the modern stuff.

SBP 1.jpg


SBP 2.jpg


SBP 3.jpg


SBP Modern.jpg


SBP Vintage.jpg
 
The vintage is definitely a lot more complex and detailed with more 3 dimensional depth to the pearl pattern. The newer is beautiful in its own way. The bolder diagonal lines are pretty sweet. The gaskets don't help the look. I wish the finish went straight to the chrome lug. They should redesign the freaking hoop to avoid splay instead of those ugly gaskets.
 
True that the newer Sky Blue Pearl is beautiful in its own way. It's really unfortunate that newer finishes can't be made the same way as they used to be. As to the lug splay, Ludwig's issue is two-fold; undersized shells and over-sized hoops. Can't really do anything about the shells, but Ludwig can go with a better supplier of hoops...but they won't! I had this issue with my 2012 Classic Maple kit. I tried Gibraltar hoops on the snare drum. While they didn't let me remove the gaskets, the better over-all fit of the hoop made the lug splay disappear!

-Mark
 
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Yes I like the old version better and your 65 pioneer is very non faded, sweet!
 
Yea the older one is cloud-ier.

Shy blue pearl
 
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What is going on?? They put gaskets because the shells are undersize? Or the hoop design does not fit the actual drum so they have to shim the lugs with a gasket ?? I am confused...Help...
 
drumfx said:
What is going on?? They put gaskets because the shells are undersize? Or the hoop design does not fit the actual drum so they have to shim the lugs with a gasket ?? I am confused...Help...
Click to expand...
Yes, the "traditional" Ludwig 3-ply shell, with rings, and the spun aluminum shell, was not as "undersize" as today's shells. Add in the slightly oversized hoop that Ludwig sources and you get some really nasty tension rod splay! Ludwig's remedy? Use thicker lug gaskets to counteract the splay!

This is the issue Ludwig first had when they obtained a new source for their spun (Supraphonic and Acrolite) shells. They were really undersized compared to what they used to be. Even the center ridge had a smaller diameter than previous shells and you could see daylight between that ridge and the Imperial lug. Add the tension rod splay and customers began complaining. Again, Ludwig's fix was to add thick rubber gaskets to alleviate both problems! Thanks, Ludwig!

-Mark
 
idrum4fun said:
Yes, the "traditional" Ludwig 3-ply shell, with rings, and the spun aluminum shell, was not as "undersize" as today's shells. Add in the slightly oversized hoop that Ludwig sources and you get some really nasty tension rod splay! Ludwig's remedy? Use thicker lug gaskets to counteract the splay!

This is the issue Ludwig first had when they obtained a new source for their spun (Supraphonic and Acrolite) shells. They were really undersized compared to what they used to be. Even the center ridge had a smaller diameter than previous shells and you could see daylight between that ridge and the Imperial lug. Add the tension rod splay and customers began complaining. Again, Ludwig's fix was to add thick rubber gaskets to alleviate both problems! Thanks, Ludwig!

-Mark
Click to expand...
:blink: Well then...That's why i only get vintage drums, i knew that there was a reason.
 
wait, is this still an issue? man i was hoping to maybe remove the gaskets if i ever got new ludwig drums, because god are they ugly. so it wouldn’t work then? what a shame.
 
Yes, very prominent diagonal lines on the new wrap, and much less oyster, old is much more beautiful (and cooler)
 
Myk said:
Yes, very prominent diagonal lines on the new wrap, old is much more beautiful (and cooler)
Click to expand...

is it more prominent on supras and snare drums? because i don’t see as thick of gaskets on tom toms it seems
 
oh wait why did i react to that comment in particular, haha i’m sorry i thought you were talking about splay or something my apologies.
 
The 1970's Sky Blue Pearl looks like the current stuff. I actually think both patterns look cool in their own way.
 
el_37 said:
The 1970's Sky Blue Pearl looks like the current stuff. I actually think both patterns look cool in their own way.
Click to expand...
Wow I just googled 1970's sky blue pearl and you're right it looks pretty much the same
 
I like both.

Due to the larger diagonal grid of the modern pattern I think it looks quite nice on larger druma like basses and floor toms.

While many see the gaskets as anathema, they don’t bother me. (Hadn’t even noticed mine have them until this thread made me go unzip a bag.)

Part of me wishes I’d gotten my kit in this finish, but I went with Olive Pearl as it just felt more unique to me.
 
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