Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drums
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2021
- Here is a video on a few of the Ludwig Acrolite snare drums I own.
This is a relatively inexpensive drum that has a great sound. I show you a few versions of this drum and play them both with a variety of grooves.
The equipment used in the video is as follows:
Bass Drum - Peavey Radial 1000 22" x 16 "
Snare Drum - Ludwig 1967 5.5" x 14" Acrolite and a 1970's/1980's??? 5.5" x 14" Acrolite
Cymbals are:
Sabian 13" HH Hi Hat Cymbals
Sabian 12" Hi Hats to my right
Sabian Vault 22" Ralph Peterson Ride Cymbal
The microphones are two Sennheiser MKH 800 Overheads and an AKG D112 on the Bass Drum
Sold one to a friend 3 yrs ago, and regretted it ever since. I contacted this friend and asked if he would sell it back to me. He agreed to sell it back to me for the price I sold it to him. I'm now a very happy guy 😂
You play so well Rick. It doesn’t really matter what you play - it all sounds so musical and smooth.
Agreed!
Amen
I’ve got one of the 60s era drums. It was sold to me as a part of a kit. And at the time there was no bottom head. I used it as a tom. 35 years later I’m restoring it to its old glory with a P88!
Should have added a segment where you have them on a snare stands next to each other moving from one to the other in the beginning for comparison so the tones are easier to compare. Great job!
Wasn’t expecting such a good drummer when I clicked on this video
Love those drums so much. One of the most useful drums in my whole collection. No frills but sounds incredible. They love microphones too
Rick, love your drumming and these fab drums. Keep up the great work!!
Wow! Great comparison. Watching you play just blows me away. Thank you.
Your playing here outclasses so many. Wonderful.
We had a bunch of these as our high school concert band snare drums. It wasn't until many years later that I learned how nice they are.
Great drumming! I love my Acrolite. It always sounds just how I want it to
I have one from 67 as well, great drum, one of my favorite recording drums for sure.
Your playing blows me away. I think you could be playing a banana box and it would sound amazing! Love the ludwig snares! Any of them!
Thanks for the video. I love my Acro's. My favorite of them is a 1966, I have a couple of 70's and a great 80's black one.
Great video and xcellent playing! I dig that muffler! I have 3 Acrolite - 68, 71 and 73. THe 68 is my fave.
Rick I had this drum in the mid 70s then sold it for a 5x14 Ludwig Super Sensitive. Thanks for the video!!!
Thanks for great video . I have a New acrolite , very good snare !
Greetings for Fontainebleau , France, Rick !
Rick, I love your videos so much! Just a suggestion, it might be really cool to do a video series where you take a "deep dive" into certain famous drummers, maybe put together a bunch of their signature phrases? Just an idea, learning so much from your channel as it is!
Your playing style is so cool and unique. Really enjoyed watching this. Thank you!
Thank You Russ
Wow! Thank you for sharing this! Perfect timing as I’ve recently been looking to add a Acrolite to my stable!
The 60s snare seems brighter in attack but still dry, which I think is killer. But the 80s snare seemed to have the darker dryness and fatness!
Very helpful info shared reminding me about the different strainers too!!
After watching this I want to get both! Or maybe a 70s era? Any thoughts??
Extremely informative content as always, Rick! Now you gotta make a video just like this on supraphonics!
I know you are only wearing shorts, but your pocket is deeper than many I have seen on UA-cam :) Subscribed and looking forward to many more videos.
What a fun and informative video.
This is the underdog that under-promises and over-delivers every time. It's my favourite no frills go-to snare among several choice snare drums I have. Same shell as the Supraphonic but with 8 (not 10) lugs. For extra crack and volume, try a set of Puresound Blaster wires. Pure joy! Super playing on the video, as always, Rick!
You are amazing MAESTRO Rick! Love the 1960's Acrolite wat better than the 1980's Acrolite! You sound great Bra! 😉👍🏻♥️🙏🏻🥁🇺🇸
Thanks for great video. Own an Acro -76 for my son’s kit. Awesome drum that get compliments from visiting drummers. Agree on the strainer critique. Changed strainer for new Ludwig P88. Works like a Inde strainer, but keeps it “Ludwig”. Clear 2-ply heads and gels = funk & hip hop heaven! As most insiders know, shell is same as Supra, but w. 8 lugs (possibly) contributing to the tone difference.
Difference is clear. Purchased a Virtue aluminum and pleased with. Thank you.
Great Video - thanks for posting!
Recently acquired a 1965 acrolite that was spray painted red to match an 80s set of pearl exports. 🤦🏻♂️ but it sounds so freaking good. Love it. And it’s my new go to. It has a the red felt BB bat muffler which also works so much better than that hockey puck from the 70s and 80s Ludwig’s. Came to your video looking for head suggestions. Have an Evans reverse dot EC head on it now but I think I need to get back to basics with this drum. Love the sound you are getting with your RemO’s. Great comparison video by the way.
Dude nice playing!!
Great sounding snare drums, but... there are soo many drummers and good drummers but this man , well he can play the drums .A fine drummer, attention for fine details. Congrats Mr Rick.
Thanks Jose.
I have a '67 Acro and a '68 Supra. both sound amazing and no issues with either ever
Respect From Italy Brother 🇮🇹 great Man
Hey! I’m a big fan!
Love your style. I have 5 snares, & truly, the Acrolite is my *most wanted* snare. If I had one, I'd use it the most, being a progressive rock and/or prog metal player. That dryness. I'd love the 1979 version, the 60's version, or the Blackrolite (Black galaxy).
Either one and I'd be very happy. I love the dry punchy sound of them, without too much ring.
Truly, being in my mid-50's, I don't know how I didn't end up with one of these from school in the late 70's, early 80's.
You would also like the old Ludwig (or WFL) classic wood snares from the 1950's through the 60's. Dry and warm as they come with a nice, controlled ring for a thick backbeat.
Very musical drumming
To my ear the older one is brighter. I prefer it. Both are dry as dust. Good seventies funk/ pop rock sound. I have a Blactrolite (black galaxy) from the 90’s. I have it higher pitched on my bop kit. It has a nice crisp tight sound with controlled body to it. Sounds good on my recordings. I picked it up for $60 on OfferUp. A great deal!
great stuff
I've always prefered Acros over 400s. Ive had 5 or 6 400s but always sold them on. For me, the 400 doesnt open up enough, as i love the complex overtones the Acro gives. The mass of the 400 appears to tame the overtones (and yes provides a more focused 'crack' a lot of drummers desire). Dynamically and tonally, my Acros (a 78 and a 65) sit better with my approach as a drummer. They aren't my only go-to snare drums but because I'm known as a rock and jazz drumner, I can tease a lot out of the Acro (high and low tuning). If there's one thing which gets a group of drummers animated, its the pros and cons of the the Acrolite vs the 400. Interesting to note that in my neck of the woods, the Acro is the preferred snare drum of many highly resoected players. Maybe it's a UK thing. Another point of interest is, i actually swapped the P83 out for a new P85 on my 60s Acro. It allows me to use snare straps/ties rather than cords/string. Also, the P85 tends not tio back off when I'm rimshotting.. All thst said, tge Acro isnt my desert island snare drum. Its a close thing but I'd take my Mastertouch 5.5x13 anywhere. Its utterly unique and unlike any other Mastertouch (13 or 14) I've played. At a show, I've often been asked what snare drum I've used that night. When I i pull out the Mastertouch, often the reaction is, "......oh......" . 😅
I have 2. One from the 70s Paid $110. One from the 80s. Paid $65. Both great drums. Found out what great drums they are when I messing around on an el-cheapo set of drums belonging to a friends son. The kit sounded ok but the snare sounded GREAT! I was told that it was another friend’s school drum from many years before. I asked but he wouldn’t sell.
Another story.
Several years ago Guitar Center had an outlet store in Dallas TX just off north Central Expressway. They had two Acrolite re-issues at $150 each. Exact same drum as originals just without the internal muffler. I didn’t know anything about Ludwig snares so I passed on them. I did however buy my 14” Paiste Signature hats there for $120. They got a truck in every Thursday filled with stuff that had been in their other stores too long. Their goal was to sell pretty much everything before the next truck arrived so everything was priced really cheap. Sadly that outlet center is no longer there.
Thank you very much for your professional and also critical view on the instruments Mr.Dior.
Out of curiosity, what would be your "lonely-island-snare"? Also in the sense of "the best bang for the buck"
Greetings
Greetings for Athens Greece, Rick!
I also own an 80s acrolite 5x14 snare. The p85 strainer (if that's the correct model) is pretty known for its inconsistency. I 've changed it and put a P88 strainer, which works great.
It would be great, if you could do a video about ludwig 60s 3-ply Mahogany/poplar/Mahogany snares, with maple reinforcement rings, provided that you own one of those snares, of course.
PS: As I 've mentioned before your channel is THE MOST COMPLETE on the internet as far as drum education is concerned. Loved the recent one drop lesson!
Hi Jim
I just did one on a great Mahogany WFL Ray McKinley drum I own. I will post soon
Thanks for watching
Rick
Love my late 70’s/early 80’s blue olive badge Acrolite. The throw is starting to work my nerves tho. Thinking about buying a Trick throw with an adapter for it for $100 bucks. I sold my black galaxy Acro (dumb me) so looking to buy another to keep this time! Thanks for this video!
Don’t bother with the Trick throw, check out the new Ludwig P88, it’s a beauty and not as bulky as a Trick
Thanks for doing this video on the Acrolite. I have just been “souping up” my late 70s Acrolite a bit with mixed results. The strainer is well known to be the weakest part of this and other Ludwig snares. So, I retrofitted mine with the INDe strainer and butt plate. A little pricy but a dramatic improvement. I’m also using a Fiberskyn Diplomat batter which gives an even warmer sound to me. However, the snares needed replacing so I installed Puresound 20 strand wires and I’m not satisfied with that result. What snare wires are you using on the newer drum?
Both drums have the original Ludwig snares that came with the drum. I have found that these sound best to me.
I've got a Slingerland model 140 aluminum that was given to me as just a shell. Installed an INDe strainer and butt plate since the Sling one's are super hard to find in good condition. Some MIJ Gretsch style die cast hoops I stole from another drum and a Puresound 24 (i think)..currently has a G1 batter, but I'm a big fan of Fiberskyn diplomats on any metal drum...especially steel and brass. It's become one of my favorites. It'll tune up high for jazz and funk, medium for those Bonham sounds and low and crunchy. It's not an Acrolite, which I love but sold the last one I had. But, it's similar and kinda has it's own thing going. I especially like that no one has another like it. Personally, I agree with rickdoir, Acro's sound best with stock Luddy snares and probably a Remo Coated Ambassador or Dimplomat...that's the classic sound we all hear in our heads.
Might be of interest, Acrolite with Litik transparent calfskin head. Kenichiro Ogawa site.
cant really hear the drum w muffling. glad you played them without m too... arent acros 5"
Can anyone please tell me why Ludwig isn't producing the Acrolite anymore? Is it just a material shortage???
I knew Ralph Peterson, from my home town, (Near Erskine and Mason) knew his father in a professional capacity. Very good man! God bless him.
Acrolite was my first snare, I rebought one recently (30 years later) and I have to say I was disappointed. Didn't have the sensitivity and tuning range that I've been spoiled with..just wasn't the same. I wanted to love it
The Acrolite is a pretty limited drum when it comes to multiple sounds. It has a slim tuning range where it sounds good and the multiple versions of it sound very different.
@@rickdior trudat
I refer to them as nude,battleship, and galaxy. I think the nudes sound more...lively? I've got 2 battleships and a galaxy. Want a nude, but they are getting too pricey these days. Love your playing by the way. I can only dream of being that good, but I still have fun playing.
Nice playing 👍 11:56 - 12:04
Thank you
I have on of those 80s Acrolites. The gray powdercoat finish looked so dull and covered in fingerprints - that in my foolish youth I spray painted it a terrible orange color (trying to match my gold sparkle kit) but now I'd like to strip off that paint and polish the aluminum shell to look more like the 60s version. Anyone have any tips on accomplishing this with good results?
Anyone else fail to notice the extra hats until about 9 minutes in
👏👏👏👏
Excellent Rick, i have a july 67 one myself. The blue olive you have might be 70s as the 80s logo went to a black/white look.
Thanks Sal
You would be correct, I own a 70s Acro and it's a beast.
Acro is like the og dry snare sound -- what is that ride cymbals btw ? sounds great in the mix !
That's a Sabian Ralph Peterson ride.
22"
How would these compare to my Yamaha recording custom aluminum???
Check it out man. He tuned the batter head to A and the snare resonant head to F#.
Are all of your 4 or 5 acrolites off round? It so how would you fix that I have owned a few of this and they all were offround
Yes, my acros are all in round.
It is a bit difficult to fix an out of round drum. You need to strip off the hardware and make a plywood template with a perfectly circular 14" inner diameter circle and fit that over the drum as you gently tap it with a rubber mallet. It may or may not stay. Brass drums will, wood will not. Aluminum might.
How do you tune the 60s? Can't get mine to sound like yours
Top to an A. Bottom to an F#
Use a Remo Ambassador on the top, Diplomat snare head on the bottom.
Keep the strainer at medium tension and that will do it.
I don't have one of these because I have a hard time saying Aluminum. :)
Amlunimnimum
You're both wrong. It's Alumin-lumin-lumin-num.
Rick Dios
Never liked them... they always sounded choked off