Cooper’s Vintage Drums
VINTAGE DRUM
FINISHES
(Leedy, Slingerland and Ludwig & Ludwig)
In this section, the various Pearl and
“Duco” finishes will be discussed.
During the early to mid 1920’s, drum
companies offered drums mainly in either natural wood finishes or painted
finishes called “Duco”. However around 1926, unique colorful finishes were
introduced in the form of a thin plastic (nitro-cellulose based) covering material known as Pyralin. This
material was rather brittle and actually quite flammable. Most of the covering
material used by the drum companies was produced by the Dupont company and was
previously used on banjos and countless other non-musical products. Pyralin
became to be known as “Pearl” as it simulated the look of Mother of Pearl which
is found in the shells of mollusks. The term “Pearl” also refers to the various
sparkle finishes.
1920’s Dupont Pyralin Toiletware advertisement /
Pyralin covered banjo
Unknown
source
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HISTORIES OF LEEDY, SLINGERLAND, AND LUDWIG FINISHES.
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FINISHES
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