Logos on Ludwig Standard Other Projects - Papers and Articles - include:
1. A look at seven documented variations of the Gretsch Round Badge used from the 1930s until about 1969.
2. A look at serial number ranges for Ludwig factory born-together drum sets from the 1960s and 1970s.
3. A search for the impetus for the use of serial numbers in vintage American made drums. Published in June 2020 Not So Modern Drummer online magazine
4. A study of the frequency of each day of the week from Ludwig date stamps. Published in May 2020 Not So Modern Drummer online magazine.
5. A study of Ludwig's use of paper labels on main line and Standard drums in 1971/1972.
6. An analysis of why so many Blue/Olive badge Ludwig drums are incorrectly dated as being from 1976.
7. A look at serial number ranges for Gretsch factory born-together Round Badge drum sets.
8. Timeline of Anti-Galvanic Stamps and Stickers on Vintage Ludwig Drums 1968-1984
9. Logos on Ludwig Standard Throw-Offs and Butt Ends
10. Vintage Ludwig Badges without Serial Numbers
1. A look at seven documented variations of the Gretsch Round Badge used from the 1930s until about 1969.
2. A look at serial number ranges for Ludwig factory born-together drum sets from the 1960s and 1970s.
3. A search for the impetus for the use of serial numbers in vintage American made drums. Published in June 2020 Not So Modern Drummer online magazine
4. A study of the frequency of each day of the week from Ludwig date stamps. Published in May 2020 Not So Modern Drummer online magazine.
5. A study of Ludwig's use of paper labels on main line and Standard drums in 1971/1972.
6. An analysis of why so many Blue/Olive badge Ludwig drums are incorrectly dated as being from 1976.
7. A look at serial number ranges for Gretsch factory born-together Round Badge drum sets.
8. Timeline of Anti-Galvanic Stamps and Stickers on Vintage Ludwig Drums 1968-1984
9. Logos on Ludwig Standard Throw-Offs and Butt Ends
10. Vintage Ludwig Badges without Serial Numbers
Project 1. Gretsch Round Badge Variations
Some of the information available on the internet about Gretsch's use of badges appears to be incorrect. Contrary to some sources, Gretsch did not start using round badges on their drums in 1883 when the company was founded. Round badges did not begin to appear on Gretsch drums until approximately the 1930s. Round badges were used until about 1969. For about four decades, Gretsch used octagonal (Stop Sign) and Square badges on their drums. In about 2014, Gretsch reintroduced the round badge.
Attached is a paper which details some of the different variations seen in Gretsch round badges from the 1930s through the 1960s. Much thanks to Bill Maley of classicvintagedrums.com and collector Jim Beebe for their assistance Click below to read the paper, but do not copy it in whole or in part. Contact me if you would like to purchase a copy. Contact Rick.
Some of the information available on the internet about Gretsch's use of badges appears to be incorrect. Contrary to some sources, Gretsch did not start using round badges on their drums in 1883 when the company was founded. Round badges did not begin to appear on Gretsch drums until approximately the 1930s. Round badges were used until about 1969. For about four decades, Gretsch used octagonal (Stop Sign) and Square badges on their drums. In about 2014, Gretsch reintroduced the round badge.
Attached is a paper which details some of the different variations seen in Gretsch round badges from the 1930s through the 1960s. Much thanks to Bill Maley of classicvintagedrums.com and collector Jim Beebe for their assistance Click below to read the paper, but do not copy it in whole or in part. Contact me if you would like to purchase a copy. Contact Rick.
For a quick look, the seven badges documented in the paper are shown below:
Skinny Sticks Badge with Large Letters
This badge is a "Skinny Sticks" type generally seen on drums from the 1930s-1940s.
Skinny Sticks Badge with Textured Background
This example is of a different "Skinny Sticks" version of the badge, with large clear lettering. This particular badge has a cheesecloth-like textured appearance, which was not shared by all badges with Skinny Sticks and large lettering. This is linked to the later 1940s and earlier 1950s.
Skinny Sticks Badge with Maker's Mark on Back
This "Skinny Sticks" version has a maker's mark on the back indicating that it was made by Robbins Company of Attleboro, MA. Because most badges are still attached to their drums, it is unknown how many or what percentage of round badges have marker's marks on their backs. This also exhibits the cheesecloth-like texturing in the background of the badge. This style is linked to the later 1940s and earlier 1950s.
Skinny Sticks Badge with Smaller Letters
This example of a later "Skinny Sticks" variation has a smaller and less clear font and presents the "Drum Makers" phrase at a less severe arc than the prior version. This version was in use in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Thick Sticks Badge
This example is of the Thick Sticks" badge, which has thicker sticks than the "Skinny Sticks" versions. It revives a font of the "Drum Makers Since 1883" similar to the one originally used in the earlier version of the "Skinny Sticks" badge. There are several differences in the lettering and other characteristics
of the badge. This style is seen on drums in the 1960s.
Thick Sticks Badge, another variation
This is an example of a second variation of the "Think Sticks" badge. This version does not appear to be as prevalent as the other Thick Sticks variation. This is also a 1960s style.
Copper Thick Sticks Badge
Although it is sometimes difficult to tell after years of wear, polishing and "restoration" efforts, round badges had mutliple different finishes. However, the vast majority of badges were not made of copper like this one. It appears that this is the same design as the second Thick Sticks badge above, but it was not as deeply struck. A time for the use of this style of badge has not been established, but was likely in use in the 1960s.
Project 2. Brief Study of Serial Number Ranges of “Factory Born Together” Vintage Ludwig Drum Sets
This study is an attempt to gain a greater understanding of the actual distribution of serial number ranges in vintage Ludwig sets purported to be factory born together so that a benchmark can be established. A group of 437 reports of drum sets which appear to be factory original born together sets is analyzed. Additional analysis of this data and expansion of the study to include Gretsch drums is planned.
Click here to read the paper, but do not copy it in whole or in part. Contact me if you would like to purchase a copy. Contact Rick.
Project 3. Search for Impetus of Serial Numbers in Vintage American Made Drums
This is a paper about why American drum manufacturers starting using serial numbers on their instruments. The common belief is that there was a law or regulation that mandated the use of serial numbers, but I found no evidence of such a law or regulation. Click the tab below to read the paper (but no not copy it in whole or in part) or follow the link to the version published in Not So Modern Drummer in June 2020: https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2020/6/16/were-american-drum-manufacturersnbsprequired-by-law-to-use-serial-numbers-during-the-1960s?rq=GIER
Project 4. Study of Frequency of Day of the Week on Ludwig Date Stamps
This is a study of the frequency of each day of the week seen in Ludwig date stamps from late 1963 through late 1971. This may provide some insight into the production practices endured by Ludwig during this time period. Click the tab below to read the paper (but no not copy it in whole or in part) or follow the link to to the version published in Not So Modern Drummer in May 2020: https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2020/5/26/study-of-vintage-ludwig-date-stamps-to-determine-frequency-of-days-of-the-week?rq=GIER
Project 5. Study of Ludwig's Use of Paper Labels in Main Line and Standard Drums in 1971/72.
This is a study of Ludwig's use of paper labels in its drums in 1971/1972 time period. Some had date stamps while others had a mysterious Date Code. This paper provides insight into interpretation of the Date Code, although a complete explanation of the Date Code is still sought. This appeared in August 2020's Not So Modern Drummer. Click the tab below to read the paper (but no not copy it in whole or in part) or follow the link to to the version published in Not So Modern Drummer www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2020/8/29/ludwigs-use-of-paper-labels-in-19711972-date-stamps-and-date-codes
Project 6. How America's Bicentennial Impacted Ludwig Drum Dating
This is an analysis of why so many 1970s Blue/Olive badge Ludwig drums are misidentified as being manufactured in 1976. This was posted in Not So Modern Drummer on September 30, 2020. Click the tab below to read the paper (but no not copy it in whole or in part) or follow the link to to the version published in Not So Modern Drummer. www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2020/9/30/how-americas-bicentennial-impacted-ludwig-drum-dating
Project 7. Brief Study of Serial Number Ranges of “Factory Born Together” Vintage Gretsch Round Badge Drum Sets
This study is an attempt to gain a greater understanding of the actual distribution of serial number ranges in vintage Gretsch Round Badge sets purported to be factory born together so that a benchmark can be established. Eighteen sets which possess reliable documentation of their "born-togetherness" are studied. In addition, a group of 304 reports of drum sets which are likely to be factory original born together sets is analyzed. This was posted in Not So Modern Drummer on December 6, 2020. Click the tab below to read the paper (but no not copy it in whole or in part) or follow the link to to the version published in Not So Modern Drummer. https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2020/12/6/serial-number-ranges-of-born-together-vintage-gretsch-round-badge-drum-sets
Project 8. Timeline of Anti-Galvanic Stamps and Stickers in Vintage Ludwig Drums 1968-1984
This article develops a timeline for the use of different Anti-Galvanic Stamps and Stickers used by Ludwig on its chrome plated drums from 1968-1984. The President of Reliable Plating Corp contributes some recollections about plating drums shells for Ludwig in Chicago. This was posted in Not So Modern Drummer on July 30,2021. Click the tab below to read the paper (but no not copy it in whole or in part) or follow the link to to the version published in Not So Modern Drummer. https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2021/7/29/understanding-ludwigs-use-of-anti-galvanic-stamps-and-stickers-on-chrome-drums-1968-1984
Project 9. Logos on Ludwig Standard Throw-Offs and Butt Ends
This article documents the use of different the Script and Block logos on Ludwig Standard Snare Drums. This was posted in Not So Modern Drummer on October 31, 2021. Click the tab below to read the paper (but no not copy it in whole or in part) or follow the link to to the version published in Not So Modern Drummer. https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2021/10/29/logos-on-ludwig-standard-snare-drum-throw-offs-and-butt-ends
Project 10. Vintage Ludwig Badges without Serial Numbers
This paper documents the use of badges without serial numbers on vintage Ludwig drums made after 1963. This was offered to Not So Modern Drummer in December 2021 and is likely to be published soon. Click the tab below to read the paper (but no not copy it in whole or in part).