For sale is a beautiful and rare Ludwig Thermogloss maple 3ply 24x14 bass drum with Rail Consolette, Shell mounted cymbal holder and 4 sliding legs (1969 style like John Bonham's).
Please Note: This listing is for the 24x14 bass drum with legs, rail consolette tom holder and shell mounted cymbal bracket ONLY. Cymbal holder, rack tom and floor tom are NOT included. Rack Tom and Floor Tom have already sold. I am throwing in a FREE 24x14 BEATO deluxe soft case!
The pointed edge Blue/Olive badge has a serial number of 921776 which dates to early 1972, but the badge location, bass drum spurs and amber color of finish all date the shell to 1969. This drum is all original with no extra holes or aftermarket modifications. Edges are also in great shape as well. The chrome is excellent and the condition of the rail is great.
For those of you in the know, you will understand the price. For those who don't it breaks down like this:
1. Finish: The Thermogloss nitrocellulose is the rarest finish by Ludwig. It is also known in the drumming and recording community to be the best sounding Ludwig's ever made due to their thin maple veneer in place of a plastic wrap. They vibrate more freely and have an incredible open tone.
2. Size: A 24x14 with sliding spurs, rail consolette and cymbal arm is a highly desirable size and configuration. These options are in place of the much more common center tom mount with curved spurs. Ludwig simply didn't make very many 3ply thermogloss drums from 1968-76 and of the kits produced in this finish many were traditional sizes. Any 3ply Maple drum in thermogloss finish goes for a premium over the standard wrapped drums but drums like this which were definitely a custom order are much more valuable, rare and sought after.
3. Condition. While thermogloss Ludwigs do occasionally appear for sale online, their condition is all over the map. While the thin nitrocellulose finish (when properly taken care of) looks and sounds amazing, it is quite fragile, meaning many surviving drums have rough finishes, or have been refinished in Polyurethane drastically reducing their value.
"Thermo-gloss" refers to the clear coat lacquer which was a thin Nitrocellulose clear lacquer. It was heated up so it would spray evenly, hence the name "Thermo-gloss". In time as the nitrocellulose ages and is exposed to UV light it gets a beautiful Amber color. The Beatles' Ringo Starr is one of the first drummers to have made this finish popular as seen on the rooftop concert in 1969. Thermogloss drums have no wrap and instead have a thin maple veneer on the outer ply almost making them almost a 4ply shell. The result is a truly remarkable tone, unique from wrapped drums. They are said to be the best sounding (and looking) drums Ludwig ever made and have been used on countless albums. Rock legends like John Bonham, Ringo Starr, Carmine Appice, Mitch Mitchel and Bun. E Carlos all used Thermogloss Ludwigs to name but a few.
If you have any questions please ask you BEFORE committing to purchase.
