1938 Ludwig & Ludwig ‘Standard’ 14x5”

Solid 1-ply maple shell with maple reinforcing hoops.

Stamped 3804, meaning April 1938.

Original nickel over brass hardware including strainer (with original extender piece), double flange hoops, imperial lugs, internal dampener, tension rods and butt end.

8 lug design.

Original lacquer finish, often dubbed as duco. The finish name isn’t catalogued, but I call this Olive Duco.

The drum is in really great shape for its age. There is minimal crazing of the finish with only minor loss of finish around hardware and a few light scratches. 

There is aging on the hardware but it’s in remarkable condition for a drum that’s 85 years old.

Often people will hunt out solid shell Slingerland Radio King snares, but I find these Ludwig solid shell offerings are built much better and don’t suffer the tightness of fitting heads that some Slingerlands often have.

See photos for condition. 

Freshly stripped, cleaned and polished in my workshop November 2023.

Fitted with brand new Remo Vintage Ambassador and Ambassador Hazy heads with brand new Puresound Custom Pro Steel wires.