Twin Ludwig Super-Sensitive Snare Drums Reunite After 50 Years

July 15, 1970 was probably like any other day in the Ludwig factory in Chicago ... pumping out some awesome metal that shaped an entire generation of drummers. Fast forward to 2020, those vintage snares - Supraphonics, Black Beauties, Super-Sensitives, Acrolites - have all become highly sought after and prized drums for players and collectors alike.

In a complete coincidence, two drums born on the same date found their way to me. They didn't journey together though. From the factory, they each went their separate ways (that's a Journey reference - LOL) and five decades later were reunited at Vintage FM Drums. I'm talking about one LM410 5x14 Super-Sensitive with Ludwig blue/olive badge serial number 792186 and one LM411 6.5x14 Super-Sensitive with Ludwig blue/olive badge serial number 792130. Both of these incredible snare drums are stamped July 15 1970 inside. 

Super-Sensitive snare drums are no longer manufactured by Ludwig. But take that with a grain of salt. I mean the shell is still a Supraphonic shell with Imperial lugs. However, Super-Sensitive models are outfitted with the P-70 parallel strainer. It was around 2015 that Ludwig stopped producing the Super-Sensitive (again). If you know Ludwig history, you likely know the original Super and Super-Sensitive models of the '20s-'30s were discontinued pre-WWII. 

I think I'd call the Super-Sensitive a polarizing drum. Some players love it. Others can't stand it. And it's all about that P-70 parallel strainer. It's bulky and protrudes about 3 inches from the shell on both sides. This makes it a bit challenging for kit players, especially double kick players, but there is that sweet spot position where it works. 

Super-Sensitives produce incredible tone with pleasing snare sensitivity and a wide tuning range. That's one of the reasons Orchestral and Jazz players gravitate to the drum. But you rockers and metal heads shouldn't overlook these models ... brain-splitting attack is easily achieved.

Enough rambling. Here's the restoration on both of these awesome Ludwig Super-Sensitive vintage snare drums. BTW, I should mentioned the LM410 model was re-converted to use the P-70 strainer. Somewhere throughout its life, it was drilled and came to me with a P-85 throwoff. So yes, it has four extra holes in the shell that are predominantly covered by the P-70.

​I hope you enjoy the photos.