Special Feature: Drum Manufacturers—Ludwig Edition—

 

"Ludwig"—isn’t this brand something many drummers look up to?

Buddy Rich, who influenced not only jazz fans but also countless drummers with his impeccably precise, virtuosic technique and exquisite groove. Ringo Starr, whose individuality shone through even in his simple drumming and who continued to support the legendary band “The Beatles,” a group that sparked a massive social phenomenon.
Carmine Appice, who established the double-bass drum setup and heavy drumming style amid the increasingly loud rock sound. John Bonham, a member of the legendary rock band “Led Zeppelin,” who continued to influence many drummers even after his untimely death.
In an era where stage performances were becoming increasingly flashy and showy, Alex Van Halen of “Van Halen” captivated countless fans with performances backed by solid musical skill…

Ludwig, a brand cherished by countless star players, has surely left an indelible mark on the memories of many fans—along with their magnificent performances. With a history spanning over 100 years, from 1909 to the present, this long-established manufacturer stands out among the many drum brands. Let’s take a closer look at this giant of the drum world, “Ludwig.”

 

Founder William F. Ludwig (1879–1973)

Founder William F. Ludwig was born in 1879 near the Rhine River in Germany. At the age of eight, he moved with his parents to Chicago, USA.His father worked as a professional musician (playing the valve trombone and baritone). Growing up in such an environment, William naturally developed into a musician himself. Among the many instruments available, he chose the “drum.” After studying drumming, he began his career as a percussionist (performing not only as a drummer but also as a timpanist).
While working with various bands—including those performing in theaters (opera and musicals) and dance halls—a turning point arrived. He witnessed a drummer in one band using an all-metal-shell snare drum (European-made, with separate tension) that was rare at the time.Encountering a drum he had never seen before, William was profoundly shocked. The tone and power emanating from that drum were etched so deeply into his heart that he would never forget them for the rest of his life (in fact, a few years later, he would go on to manufacture an all-metal-shell snare drum with a separate tension system). He later described this event as “a turning point in my life.”

Later, while working with a band that typically required a two-person setup (a bass drummer and a snare/cymbal player), William found himself playing both parts by himself. This meant he needed to use a pedal to play the bass drum. Although pedals already existed at the time, their elaborate designs made them cumbersome, and they suffered from issues with “power” and “speed.”So, through trial and error, William set out to build a pedal. The pedal he created was very well-received. William had a younger brother named “Theobald,” who was also active as a drummer at the time.
Fitting it in between gig dates, the brothers worked together to build pedals. They opened a small drum shop called “Ludwig & Ludwig” in an old building. This marked the beginning of Ludwig, a brand now beloved by many players.

 

 

The Turbulent 1920s–1950s

Even Ludwig, which has now established an unshakable position in the industry, has experienced its ups and downs throughout its long history.
Let’s take a look at the particularly turbulent 1950s.

1909	William and Theobold founded “Ludwig & Ludwig.”
1929– 1930	Burdened by the effects of the stock market crash and the financial obligations associated with constructing a new company building, “Ludwig & Ludwig” was sold to C.G. Conn to ensure the company’s survival.
1937	At the age of 58, William made another attempt at the drum-making business and founded the “Wm. F. Ludwig Drum Company.”
1939	The company name was changed to “WFL.”
1951	C.G. Conn merged its “Leedy” and “Ludwig and Ludwig” brands to form “Leedy and Ludwig.”
1955	William bought back the “Ludwig” name from C.G. Conn. The company then made a fresh start as the “Ludwig Drum Company.”

Despite many twists and turns, Ludwig continued to produce exceptional drums. Thanks to these efforts, the number of players who favored Ludwig drums gradually increased. The company grew alongside the increasingly vibrant music scene, from the modern jazz of the 1950s to the rock of the 1960s.

 

Players captivated by Ludwig drums

As you know, there are countless players who have favored Ludwig drums.In addition to Buddy Rich, Ringo Starr, Carmine Appice, John Bonham, and Alex Van Halen—whom I introduced at the beginning—there are also Roger Taylor (Queen), Joey Kramer (Joey Kramer – Aerosmith), Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick), Eric Carr (Kiss), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Alan White (Yes), Rick Allen (Def Leppard), and many others—a veritable who’s who of drummers.

Here, I’d like to highlight a few of the many Ludwig users.

Ginger Baker (Cream)

Ginger, who started out as a jazz drummer, originally used a simple three-piece set. However, when he joined the legendary band “Cream” with Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton, he made a complete shift and began using a Ludiwg two-bass drum set.His setup consisted of two bass drums of different sizes (20" and 24"), along with 16" and 18" floor toms and 12" and 13" toms. He also had a distinctive setup where the toms were positioned almost horizontally.As a jazz drummer, he showcased excellent improvisation during live performances, which can be heard on Cream’s live albums. Although released after the band’s breakup, albums like “LIVE CREAM Volume 2” are highly recommended.

Don Henley (Eagles)

The Eagles are known for their melancholic melodies and beautiful harmonies. Don Henley, the band’s drummer and vocalist, was also a devoted user of Ludwig drums.He treated us to wonderful vocals and drumming on classics like “Hotel California,” and he used a Ludwig single-head kit with added timbales (BD 22", FT 16", TT 16" or 15", 14", 13", 12" + timbales). His distinctive, deep, resonant tone on heavy songs and his light, airy drumming on country-style tracks are particularly memorable.In an Eagles documentary, he once mentioned that the band was formed largely as a result of being deeply inspired by the Beatles.Glenn Frey and Don Henley took on the roles of Lennon and McCartney, and they reportedly selected band members on the condition that everyone could sing. Now that you mention it, with four members at the time of their debut, they really did give off the vibe of an American version of the Beatles. If you’re hearing Don Henley for the first time, I recommend checking out albums like *A Night to Remember* and *Hotel California*.

Ringo Starr (The Beatles)

He’s arguably one of the people who brought Ludwig the most recognition. The Black Oyster Pearl kit he used to play remains a coveted masterpiece among drummers (all over the world) to this day.Early kit: BD 20", FT 14", TT 12", SD 14"; cymbals (Zildjian) RD 20", CR 18", HH 14" — Mid-career and later: BD 22", FT 16", TT 13", SD 14"; cymbals (Zildjian) RD 20", CR 18", HH 14" (or 15") —and the late-period natural maple BD22", FT16", TT13", TT12", and SD14", with cymbals (Zildjian) RD20", CR18", and HH14" (or 15")—I imagine there are many fans who are particular about the differences between these various periods, aren’t there?His playing is simple yet distinctive, and even when listened to today, it still feels fresh. I doubt there’s anyone out there who hasn’t heard him… But if there are any younger listeners out there who’ve “only heard him as background music on TV,” please pick up any of his albums—any one will do (I highly recommend all of The Beatles’ works).

John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)

Even after his untimely death, John Bonham became a legend and continued to have a profound influence on future drummers. There’s even an anecdote that he started using his signature Ludiwg drums after being introduced to them by Carmine Appice, who had originally used them. Bonzo is known for his many outrageous stories, and his playing—which reflects his personality—is just as bold and unrestrained (though he certainly had moments of subtlety as well…).The drum set he used was a powerful one, centered around a 26" bass drum. From around ’69 through ’73, he used a natural maple set (BD 26", FT 18" and 16", TT 15") and a covering maple set (BD 26", FT 18" and 16",14" toms); from 1973 onward, he used amber-colored VistaLite (26" bass drum, 20", 18", and 16" floor toms, 14" tom-tom); and from around 1977, he also used a stainless steel set (26" bass drum, 18" and 16" floor toms, 15" tom-tom).As for the snare drum, he favored the LM402, which is also very popular at our store (the secret to its popularity is, of course, largely due to Bonzo’s influence). There’s nothing more difficult than recommending a Led Zeppelin album, but if you’re focusing specifically on Bonzo’s drumming, it would have to be their seventh album, *Presence*, released in ’76.Led by his powerful, virtuosic drumming on the opening track “The Last Battle of Achilles”—which runs over 10 minutes—this album features a series of performances so intense that you might even mistake it for a Bonzo solo album. Please be sure to check it out.

Steve Jordan

He is a multi-talented artist who is active both as a drummer—embodying the world’s finest groove—and as a producer (his production work has even won a Grammy Award!). He has performed with and earned the trust of countless artists, from the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and B.B. King to Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, and many others.While he’s known as a Yamaha drummer, he actually loves playing Ludwig drums as well. He owns a 1963 Black Oyster kit (perhaps influenced by Ringo Starr!?) and uses it for recording sessions and other projects. (You can hear him play on countless recordings,) and apparently, he also used the Black Oyster kit on The Verbs’ recent album *And Now...*, so if you’re curious, be sure to check it out.

 

Ludwig has captivated countless other drummers as well. Since so many players use them, this is just a small sample—but what did you think? Your favorite drummer might actually be using a vintage Ludwig set in their recordings. If you’re curious, why not dig a little deeper?

 

Introducing Ludwig’s Masterpieces

 

Pedals

~Speed King~
Since its debut in 1938 as the Twin Spring Speed King Pedal, this product has become a long-selling staple and the face of the company.
From “The Final Version” onward, there have been almost no changes to the specifications—it’s truly astonishing how refined the design was back then.

 

This is “The Final Version” from the 1950s WFL era:

A Vintage Speed King that is still highly prized today

Snare

~A Ludwig Icon: “Black Beauty”~

This is one of the company’s flagship models, with a history dating back to the 1920s. It is a masterpiece featuring a brass shell with a black-nickel finish.
With its gold hardware and intricate engraving, it is a truly stunning model.

This 1920s Black Beauty features stunning decorative patterns known as “Ocean Wave Patterns.”

This is a 1920s “Black Beauty” featuring the “12-Leaf Patterns” design

This is a “Black Beauty” from around 1929 to the early 1930s, featuring the “6-Leaf Patterns” design

 

~Universal Model~

A simple 6-lug metal-shell snare drum. A true masterpiece that embodies Ludwig’s history. It’s a snare with excellent projection and a dedicated following.
Models produced before the company was sold to C.G. Conn are particularly popular due to the substantial weight (thickness) of their shells.

This is a 1920s Universal Model.

This is a 1920s Universal Model. It was manufactured during the Chicago factory era, and the “CHICAGO” inscription is clearly visible.

This is a Universal Model from the 1930s. The hoop is stamped with “ELKHART, INDIANA.” This model was produced after the company was sold to C.G. Conn.

This is a Universal Model from the 1930s.

 

~SUPRAPHONIC LM400~

I’m sure many of you are familiar with this one. It’s the SUPRAPHONIC LM400, one of Ludwig’s flagship models. It’s a long-running bestseller that continues to this day.From approximately 1955 to 1960, brass was used for the shell. Both chrome-plated and lacquered versions existed (both with brass shells). Starting around 1961, Ludwig began using its proprietary Radialloy (an aluminum-based alloy) for the shell. Since the shell material differs from current models, it might be interesting to collect examples from each era. The size is 14" × 5".

This is the 1966 LM400.

This is a 1970 LM400. ~UNNUMBERED~

This is a 1976 LM400.

This is an LM400 from around 1978–1979.

~SUPRAPHONIC LM402~

This is another model well-known to everyone: the SUPRAPHONIC LM402. It remains a highly popular snare drum today, partly because it was favored by the “Big Three” of rock drummers: John Bonham, Cozy Powell, and Ian Paice. Designed in the late 1960s, it has remained virtually unchanged to this day, a testament to its high level of craftsmanship.Like the LM400, the shell material was Radioloy from the 1960s through the 1980s. More recent models also have their own merits, so it might be fun to collect them by era. The size is 14" × 6.5".

This is an LM402 from around 1978–1979.

This is an LM402 from the 1980s.

This is a Bronz Shell Supraphonic.
It’s from the 1980s and is a rare item that hardly ever comes into stock.

 

~Acrolite LM404~

First released in 1963, the Acrolite LM404 is a long-running bestseller that remains in production to this day. As its name suggests, it is characterized by its aluminum shell. It produces a warm tone and is a very popular model at our store. The dimensions are 14" × 5". The 6.5" model, the LM405, was introduced (according to the catalog) in 1994.

Here is a 1967 LM404.

Here is a 1976 LM404.

Here is an LM404 from the 1980s.

 

~Super Sensitive LM410~

This is the LM410, a version of the LM400 Series with a snappy overall sound.

This is an LM410 from around 1961–62. The shell is chrome-plated brass.

This is an LM410 from the 1970s.

 

~Super Sensitive LM411~

This is the LM411, a version of the LM402 with a full-surface snappy design.

This is a model from the 1970s.

This is a model from the 1980s.

 

~ Vistalite ~

The Vistalite Series debuted in 1972. Since the shells were made of acrylic, which allowed for a relatively wide range of colors, a diverse array of variations was released, including Clear, Yellow, Amber, Red, Blue, Green, Rainbow, Solid White, Solid Black, Smoky (Dark Gray), and Tivoli (with built-in lights).Because of their striking visual appeal and how well they stood out on stage, many musicians used them during live performances. John Bonham was among them. You can easily watch footage of him playing these drums on YouTube and other platforms, so if you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check it out.

Here are some from the ’70s:

 

~Pioneer~

This Pioneer model was manufactured from 1960 to 1974. The shell features a 3-ply construction of mahogany, poplar, and mahogany (a 3-ply maple, poplar, and maple configuration was also introduced in 1968). It features a 6-lug design and is available in 14" × 5" and 14" × 6.5" sizes.

This is a 1967 Pioneer.

This is a 1966 Pioneer. ~Black Oyster~

 

~Barrett Deems / Jazz Festival~

This is a masterpiece produced from 1956 to 1970. Initially known as the Barrett Deems, it came to be called the Jazz Festival starting in 1960. This model also features a 3-ply construction of mahogany, poplar, and mahogany (a 3-ply maple, poplar, and maple configuration was introduced around September–October 1968) and includes reinforcement.It features a 6-lug design and measures 14" × 5.5". This is a highly popular vintage snare drum at our store.

This is a 1958 Barrett Deems. Given its age, it incorporates parts from the WFL era, and you can see the engraving on the strainer.

This is a 1961 Jazz Festival.

This is the 1962 Jazz Festival.

This is the 1967 Jazz Festival.

This is the 1967 Jazz Festival.
　*The shell is the traditional 3-ply construction of mahogany, poplar, and mahogany.

 

~Down Beat~

This is a Down Beat model manufactured from the 1960s through the 1970s. Like the other Wood Snare models, it features a 3-ply construction of mahogany, poplar, and mahogany (a 3-ply configuration of maple, poplar, and maple was also introduced around September–October 1968). The size is 14" × 4". It is a rare gem that comes in very limited quantities.

This is a 1963 Down Beat.

This is also a 1963 issue of Down Beat.