LUDWIG & LUDWIG FINISHES
The early 1920’s were rather unremarkable for Ludwig
& Ludwig as far as pearl finishes were concerned. Until 1928, the company
offered natural mahogany, maple, or walnut hand rubbed wood finishes, solid
color painted finishes, as well as gold and imitation gold (“Deluxe”) plated
snare drums which were often adorned with fancy “Deluxe” engravings.
1920’s LUDWIG & LUDWIG NATURAL
WOOD DRUMS
Starting in the early 1920’s, Ludwig & Ludwig
offered ornamental finishes on select snare drums that included decorative hand
engraved designs and fancy plating. “DeLuxe” finish
was an imitation gold plating and was applied to rods, lugs, hoops and strainer
in combination with a black plated and hand engraved shell. “Genuine Gold
Trimmed” models featured gold plated parts and shells that were not engraved.
Shells were available in black nickel, white or black enamel and “Ludwigold” (see below). “Genuine All-Gold” models had a
satin gold plated shell and parts but were not engraved. Special “Triumphal” models could be had with
genuine gold plating on all parts, including the shell. Decorative engraving
was applied to these drums. The shells were hand burnished.
NOTE: In 1932, the name “Classic Gold” was used to
replace “DeLuxe”.
1929 CATALOG ILLUSTRATION
(Dave Brown Collection)
STIPELGOLD and LUDWIGOLD
While not a Pyralin
covering, the first decorative covering was called “Stipelgold”.
Introduced in early 1926, Stipelgold was a textured
gold coating that was applied to metal shell snare drums as well as wooden
shell snare drums and bass drums. This
finish is quite rare. In a 1926 Ludwig
& Ludwig publication it was described rather eloquently as, “…a special composition producing a
marvelous ‘Stippled’ effect in a bright golden hue. It is hard and durable,
adhering tenaciously to the drum shell of metal or of wood. The effect is of
bright yellow gold with a high burnish on a stippled surface. No other finish
compares with it for scenic splendor in the orchestra ensemble and under the
lights or spot it gleams with the golden hue of a brilliant sunset.”
1926 STIPELGOLD SUPER-LUDWIG SNARE
DRUM WITH STIPELGOLD FINISH
(this particular example may have been painted
over at some point with a gold spray paint)
Some drums were affixed with a special Stipelgold
badge
Photo courtesy of Dave Brown
Toward the end of 1926 a similar finish called “Ludwigold” was introduced.
It was described as: “…an iridescent golden finish possessing a
brilliant glitter or sparkle.”
Interestingly, both Stipelgold and Ludwigold
were available concurrently for a time in 1926. The Stipelgold
finish proved to be less durable than advertised and was discontinued by late
1927. Ludwigold
was offered from 1926 until the early 1930’s.
1927 LUDWIG & LUDWIG ADVERTISEMENT
FOR LUDWIGOLD
(Note that both Ludwigold and Stipelgold
were available in 1926-27)
1927 ADVERTISEMENT FOR LUDWIGOLD
1929 LUDWIG & LUDWIG ADVERTISEMENT
(Dave Brown Collection)
LATE 1920’s SUPER-LUDWIG SNARE DRUMS
WITH LUDWIGOLD FINISH
Photo courtesy of Dave Brown
Photo courtesy of Felix Knusel
PYRALIN FINISHES
The first Ludwig & Ludwig drums covered in
decorative Pyralin finishes did not appear until late
1928. At that time, the new finishes that were introduced were Avalon Pearl
(white marine), Peacock Blue Pearl, Emerald (mottled)
Green Pearl, and Lavender Pearl.
Although not officially listed as a pearl finish, “Golden Flash” was
offered as an option in the fine print in the 1928 and 1929 catalogs. Listed
near the bottom on the right, as “765- CGF Golden Flash Pearl Shell”.
1929 CATALOG
(Dave Brown Collection)
1920’s Ludwig & Ludwig bass drum
in Lavender Pearl (photo by Mark Cooper)
PEACOCK PEARL
(Dave Brown Collection)
Photo on left courtesy of Corey DeMello Photo on
right courtesy of Rich Kalinsky
Photo courtesy of Mike Curotto
Photo courtesy of Corey DeMello
(Dave Brown Collection)
Emerald Green Pearl
In 1929, two new pearl finishes were added to Ludwig
& Ludwig’s roster. Streaked Opal and Rose Pearl were first introduced in
the “Ludwig Drummer” periodical in the Fall 1929
edition. However, Rose Pearl was not listed in the 1929 catalog. These new
finishes were described in quite “colorful” terms:
Streaked Opal: “It
is one of the nicest finishes that we have ever made, and because it is black
and white it has dignity.”
Rose Pearl: “…a
red hot finish for red hot drummers. It has the Zipp,
and the Pep, and is just what the collegiate chap has been looking for.”
ROSE PEARL*
*Rose Pearl was also offered by Slingerland (see
“Slingerland Finishes”).
1929 ROSE PEARL
STANDARD SENSITIVE
Photo courtesy of Mike Curotto
Also new for 1929 were Marble Pearl and Turquoise Blue Pearl.
“FLASH PEARL and FLAKE PEARL”
Sometime during the year 1931, Ludwig & Ludwig
decided to add some sparkle and “pizzazz” to their drum products with the
introduction of Silver Flash Pearl and Gold Flash Pearl. A 1931 advertisement
declares, “Countless thousands of tiny
facets that sparkle and gleam with all the verve and fire of a perfectly cut
diamond, dazzling and distinctive behind the footlights or under the spot and
appropriate in any setting….Silver Flash and Gold Flash Pearl Shell Drums are
the latest, and probably the most outstanding of the Ludwig Pearl Shell
Drums….”. The metallic sparkles were very fine and had a “mist” look to
them. In later years, the size of the sparkles was increased.
It wasn’t until 1932 that an actual illustration of
the finish appeared in a catalog. By that time, the name had been changed to
“Gold Flake”.
1930’s GOLDEN FLASH PEARL BASS DRUM
WITH DELUXE GOLD HARDWARE
(note the
very fine sparkles)
In 1933 a new, extra durable painted finish was
offered called “Hi-Luster” and was advertised as being several times harder
than ordinary paints. This automotive grade painted finish was available in
blue or green and could be ordered with decorative diamonds and Pearl inlaid
hoops. At this time, “Full Dress” diamonds were optional on most drums, both “skeleton” diamonds or full diamonds. The following
year (1934), multi-colored Duco lacquer finishes
became available. These two-tone painted finishes could be had in Blue and
Silver, Green and Gold and other combinations. These were usually accompanied
by Gold Flash Pearl or Silver Flash Pearl inlaid hoops and gold fittings.
1930’s LUDWIG & LUDWIG HI-LUSTER
BLUE STANDARD MODEL
Unknown Source
The term “Flash” as in “Golden Flash” or “Silver
Flash” was changed to “Flake” in 1932.
Then in 1936 (the Silver Anniversary year), the size of the metal flakes
or sparkles was increased and the name was changed to “Gold Flash”. These new
light catching chunks of metal added even more sparkle to Ludwig & Ludwig
drums. Along with Silver Flake and Gold Flake, Green Flake was also offered. Finshes seemed to come and go, according to the catalogs of
the 1930’s. While Emerald Green Pearl was no longer listed, Streaked Opal,
Avalon, Peacock, and Lavender Pearls were still on the list of available
colors. Curiously, Lavender Pearl drums were often listed in catalogs under the
heading, “Rainbow Pearl Outfit”.
GOLD FLASH PEARL
1935-36 Gold Flash Pearl Standard Model with Classic Gold hardware
(courtesy of Mike Curotto)
Ludwig & Ludwig returned to the name “Flash” in
reference to their sparkle finishes in 1936. Perhaps the term “Flake” did not
do justice to their flashy sparkling drums which were now available in Red
Flash Pearl, Green Flash Pearl, as well as Silver Flash Pearl and Gold Flash
Pearl. Also new for 1935 were Abalone Pearl and Black Avalon Pearl. The very
popular Peacock Pearl, Lavender Pearl and Streaked Opal Pearl were
discontinued.
LUDWIG & LUDWIG PEARL FINISHES
1935-1939
In addition to decorative Flash
Pearl diamonds, other geometric shapes could be ordered on Ludwig & Ludwig
drums at additional cost. These were usually composed of two or three
contrasting colors and were applied over top of the finish.
1930’s GOLD FLASH
PEARL DRUM WITH FLASH PEARL DECORATIONS
SILVER FLASH PEARL
(faded to “ginger-ale” color)
By 1940, most of the exotic finishes had been discontinued
in favor of more standard pearls and sparkles.
1940-41 CATALOG PAGE
In 1940, a new, less expensive
finish was offered on an experimental budget line of drums that also
incorporated plastic (bake-lite) tension casings. The finish was called White
Crystal and was described in the 1940-41 Ludwig & Ludwig catalog: “This exciting new finish gives you a drum
outfit which has all the smooth, eye appealing beauty and attraction of higher
priced finishes and is extremely durable, too….. Crystal is a laminated
sheeting similar to Pyralin, but with a smaller flake design….you’ll agree that
the Ludwig & Ludwig Crystal finish is the most beautiful you have ever seen
at such an amazingly low price!”.
1940-41 LUDWIG &
LUDWIG MODERN BI-TONE DRUMS
1940 LUDWIG &
LUDWIG WHITE CRYSTAL DRUM
Unknown Source
Also new for 1940 was
a vey unique finish called “Top Hat”, which featured a design made up of
decorative top hats, musical notes, canes and gloves. This design was printed
over the avalon pearl and sealed within the Pyralin laminate. This attractive
finish was discontinued with the onset of World War Two. As a result, very few
Top Hat drums exist today and are extremely rare and valuable.
1940-41 LUDWIG &
LUDWIG TOP HAT “SWING SENSATION” DRUM OUTFIT
TOP HAT
During World War Two drum production was drastically
reduced for the duration. Ludwig &
Ludwig continued to produce drums on a limited basis and the finish options
were few. Duco
(lacquer) finished drums were offered as well as Black and White Avalon Pearl.
Sparkle finishes may have been available but I have never seen any wartime
examples.
White Avalon Pearl Victory drum set with White Duco floor tom
Victory snare drum in Black and Gold Duco
After World War Two, Ludwig & Ludwig resumed drum
production. The company, now located in Elkhart, Indiana began churning out
drums that were very much the same as their pre-war drums. The finish options
listed for 1948 were reduced to only four Pearl finishes: White Avalon, Black Diamond
Pearl, Gold Flash Pearl and Silver Flash Pearl. Of course, duco
lacquer finishes were also available. Around 1949-50, Blue Flash Pearl was
added to the roster. Green Flash Pearl may also have been available at that
time as well.
GOLD FLASH PEARL (two slightly
different versions)
1950 LUDWIG &
LUDWIG SPARKLING BLUE PEARL STANDARD MODEL
In 1950, the Ludwig & Ludwig Drum Company was
merged with the Leedy Drum Company. The newly formed
company was aptly named Leedy & Ludwig and was in
existence until 1955. For finishes on these drums please read the previous
section entitled “Leedy Finishes”.
1950’s Leedy & Ludwig Zebra Stripe
drum set
Photo by
Bun E. Carlos
In 1956, William F. Ludwig (owner of the W.F.L. Drum
Company and original owner of the Ludwig & Ludwig company), purchased the
Ludwig name and started The Ludwig Drum Company in 1956. That year, drums were
available in Sparkling Green Pearl, Sparkling Red Pearl, Sparkling Blue Pearl,
Sparkling Silver Pearl, White Marine Pearl, Black Diamond Pearl and Jet Black
Ebony Pearl. Multi-colored duco lacquer finishes were
also offered.
In 1959, several new and interesting finishes were
added. Colors like Oyster Blue Pearl, Oyster Black Pearl, and Oyster Blue Pearl
were reminiscent of the older exotic finishes. Of course, many duco lacquer combinations as well as natural wood finishes
could be ordered as well.
OYSTER PINK PEARL CONGA DRUMS
By 1962, Oyster Pink Pearl was dropped from the list
of available finishes, while Sparkling Pink Champagne Pearl was added. Around
1963, a color simply called “Galaxy” was introduced.
In 1964-65, Oyster Black Pearl was made famous by Ringo Starr of the
Beatles and his Ludwig drum set.
TO
CONTINUE OR RETURN TO ANY OTHER SECTION IN THIS GUIDE OR TO RETURN “HOME”, CLICK ON A LINK
BELOW…
CONTENTS:
LUGS
STRAINERS
DRUM
FINISHES
MISCELLANEOUS
RETURN
HOME