How's this for a description on eBay ...... TMI ?
"For sale- a Vintage Stainless Steel Ludwig Snare Drum as pictured. That was my opening line when I first listed this thing. Which immediately drew the ire of Ludwig drum fans everywhere. It was pointed out to me that the drum was aluminum by many, some who were nice about it and others that decidedly were not. And dutifully I went and took a closer look and clearly the body of the drum, the cylinder if you will is in fact aluminum. Sue me. I would argue that the part of the drum that you see most clearly other than the top head is the piece, top and bottom that secures the head in place and i would guess that is in fact stainless steel. I don't think you could stamp aluminum like that and not have it break and even if you could chrome plating aluminum is a fool's errand. I don't know anything about drums but i do know a few things about metal. Brass plates well but I don't think you could stamp it like that, it has to be machined and that doesn't look machined. So if you want to continue to argue metallurgy I am all in.
And part of the problem with that original listing was that shortly thereafter the fine folks at ebay suspended my ability to create or edit listings because I refused to sign on to their mandatory "Managed Payments" plan, which benefits no one other than ebay. I have since been shown the error of my ways when they ended all of my listings. So I could either end the listing or let it run as it was, with FAQ questions and answers piling up but of course nobody reads those. So here we are again. ebay now Manages My Payments. I feel so much better.
Back to the drum. It would have been purchased new in 1964 or 65. No earlier, no later although I can’t account for how long the music dealer might have had it in stock. I would have had this out to make noise with for no more than a couple of years and only sparingly at that. I was at best the next to worst drummer in the fighting Riverside Elementary School band, and I am guessing the guy that I thought might be worse than I was might have some issues with my ranking. Heads are both original, top one autographed by yours truly. String securing the snares is wearing through but that looks like it could easily be replaced.
I had a Zyldjian Cymbal up for sale but that has sold. I can’t remember whether band was offered first in the fourth grade or the fifth. But I can remember distinctly that I sucked. The snare was a Christmas present one year, the cymbal the following year with I guess the thought process being eventually I would have a whole set. But as I came to realize exactly how bad I was I lost interest in the whole project and secretly dropped out. When my mom found out she made me go back because after all they had spent all that money on a drum and a cymbal. Ungrateful kid! But at some point I finally was able to call my drumming career quits. That would have been no later than 1967.
So you’re talking about a snare that has only been hammered on sporadically by a 100 pound ten year old. By used drum standards I would guess that’s about as good as it gets. Serial number 211108 if that tells you anything. I have a stand for it but obviously that would complicate the shipping. If you want that too I will invoice you for it with an extra ten bucks added in to cover the additional shipping, but you have to ask (and pay) for it or all you are going to get is the drum. The stand I think is missing one of the three rubber feet. I also have the original case which is a lot the worse for wear, shown in the last picture. You can have the case at no extra charge BUT the size of the box required increases dramatically. At that point I would have to consult fedex.com for a box 24x24x12, my zip to yours. You can look that up yourself but it won’t be cheap, so please, you need to really want the case which is not in great shape or the shipping cost will blow the deal out of the water.
The drum is roughly 14" in diameter and i measure the ALUMINUM side at 5 5/8" high. What you see is what you get. Please check out my other listings for more musical equipment, including the Zildjian Cymbal. Check back often!
Sold as is, as described, as pictured. Potential buyers are asked to please make sure you have read the listing carefully, and understand what you are buying. Ebay’s condition codes for used items, which I am required to choose from, might imply a degree of functionality that my limited time, knowledge, and facilities do not allow me to ascertain. If the functional condition of the piece is known it will be stated in the listing. Unless a warranty is specifically offered returns are not accepted regardless of any implied functionality.
Payment is expected within 7 days of the sale and I need to hear from you within 3 days to confirm the transaction. Please add $18.99 for shipping (just the drum) anywhere in the continental US. International shipments plus Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico ship based on whatever cost is determined by USPS.com."
