Going to do this EXACT change to an 80s Acro. I got the drum as just a shell with lugs. Friend of mine gave me a P86. Very detailed and informative video. Cheers!
Fix it! P-85 is the best strainer if you do “the hack”. You have to sand (120-240) the edges on ALL the inner parts, touching each other. 😉 Then drip a drop of oil and it will never ever be stuck again. It will be so smooth that you can use your pinky. 👍 The problem in all p-85 is that the edges on the inner parts are sharp from the factory. After a little time like with all other metals, when a little corrosion happens, the parts touching each other will move sluggishly or stuck, because of the sharpness of the edges that have become a little rough... Sand them round and you wil never have that problem again! 😉 It’s a 5-10 minute fix and you only have to do it one time! 😉
Removing the original strainer is easier if you remove the lower portion of the original strainer (just keep unscrewing it, and the adjustment screw will come out of the lower part, it's the only thing holding the bottom on). This will reveal the head of the bottom screw, and the adjustment screw will then swivel out of the way of the top screw. Always use a proper size wrench and screwdriver to remove and install parts on a drum shell. Pliers are a no-no.
Hey Guys, There is another option in store its called a Ludwig P88AC Throw-Off, Throw-Off & Butt-Plate Pack, fits all snares with former P83/P85/P86 throw offs, wave-lock technology in the tension knob for consist tension under rigorous playing. Ludwig made these as ''Cheaper'' replacements for the p85! Good luck have fun playing!
Man, this was an excellent video!! I’m looking to sell my mid 90’s Ludwig 5.5X14 snare. I’m replacing the snare w/ a PURESOUND and Ludwig P88 throw-off.
You've replaced the most famous & talked about snare strainer of all time, the mighty P--85. It is so amazing UA-cam's algorithms pushed your 6 yr old video into my feed. And I wasn't even looking up strainers. Will DW's mag throw-off get so much "love" ?😁
I own a 1965 (mint condition), a black galaxy sparkle (new) and a 2011 6.5x14 Supraphonic (mint condition) as well as a maple 1980s Rockers snare. Love em all. Definitely an Acrolite man myself
Never had any trouble with my p85 except for screws coming loose and having to use string on the side of the throw off... and only cheap drums come with plastic washers. Plastic washers make for hard tuning. But acrolites are so tuner friendly. The fact that I tune my snares really tight and the p85 still holds up is proof of its quality.
This is exactly what no one understands. 98% of drum hardware issues come from ancient lubrication simply drying out or collecting too much dirt over the years. And some use WD40 on hardware, thinking that will solve problems only to find it's made the problem worse after a time. Sewing machine/gun oil will work but white lithium grease is really what you want to use.
Very helpful demonstration. Just changed mine on my '76 Supraphonic, and i have to say that it does look nice..However, i have heard that the P-86 can get wobbly and there are specific screws that tend to loosen over time. I guess i have to wait and see.. At the price i just paid for it, i certainly hope it doesn't. I don't know what it is, but i can't understand why Ludwig have not addressed their throw off problem by completely redesigning a completely new throw-off.. Ron Dunnett who has previously worked closely with Ludwig in the past, would be the only choice to design a new throw and butt for Ludwig, and making them retrofit the old P-85 and P-32 butt.. The only reason i changed mine out is because the P-85 only uses a string hole face, and as this gentleman said, he prefers the nylon strap over the nylon string, as do i.. However, my original P-85 still functions perfectly and smoothly, without any issues. A little maintenance every now and then, such as taking it apart and lubricating all moving parts, will help in keeping it in playable shape.
I don't know what the complaint is about the original strainer. My classic Acrolite snare has one that is approximately 50 years old now. I bought it used and have never had a problem with the strainer. If you are doing this modification I would suggest keeping the old strainer in case you ever want to restore it's original condition. The Acrolite is a great drum just the way it is.
Thanks Paul. My complaint is the P85 on mine was horrible. That's the complaint. I really wanted the P86, so I put one on it and made a video... simple as that. I don't really care about keeping it for pristine original-ness. I want this to be my work-horse, and it is holding up to the job very well. I'm glad to hear your Acro is kicking on for 50 years. Testament to Ludwig's snare drums.
Yes I would recommend them over metal ones. I can't however tell you the science behind this decision, I just prefer to have no metal to metal contact with these particular components.
The worst part about the P85 I've found anyway, is that it rattles around when played with the snares off. Not sure if there's a way to fix that or if it's just mine, but it's the reason I want to change it.
That is why the mag throw off switch was invented by dw drums. They made that to easily turn on and off the snare wires with just one flick and its either on or off and no complications. Lugwig drums of course is popular by many people and really I don't care for drum brands or anything like that. To me, if a drum sounds good that way it is, then there is no need to find that perfect drum set. And of course I perfer dw drums but if I can get any other drums, tama, pearl, Yamaha, mapex, whatever drums that already sounds good to my ears, then its fine.
Dose that p-85 had a half circle on the bottom? And gets wedge? I trying to find a diagram and see what it looks like on the back. I have a same problem.
Thanks for this! I have a ludwig acrolite with P85 strainer and the plastic ribbon slips/moves at the butt end (screws are as tight as can be). So I can't put the snares on as tight as I'd like. Known issue? fixes for it?
This is odd as it's difficult to have the issue you describe. Either time to replace the butt plate or the ribbon with something thicker. The female (screw) part of the butt plate is not threaded is it? You should be able to torque that down good. hmmm.
I was happy to see a video on how to upgrade the P-85 to P-86...but I'm surprised to see that it's almost half an hour long?? It would take me far less time to just go and do it myself...
Going thru the process of changing my P85 strainer on my Black Galaxy now. What a piece of junk Ludwig puts on an otherwise great drum. I didn't even stay with a Ludwig strainer on the replacement. I want to be able to tighten the snare bands with a drum key instead of a phillips head screw driver,
Going to do this EXACT change to an 80s Acro. I got the drum as just a shell with lugs. Friend of mine gave me a P86. Very detailed and informative video. Cheers!
It was necessary only to lubricate P-85. I personally greased the P-85 with gear oil 4 years ago and still it works flawlessly.
Fix it!
P-85 is the best strainer if you do “the hack”. You have to sand (120-240) the edges on ALL the inner parts, touching each other. 😉 Then drip a drop of oil and it will never ever be stuck again. It will be so smooth that you can use your pinky. 👍
The problem in all p-85 is that the edges on the inner parts are sharp from the factory. After a little time like with all other metals, when a little corrosion happens, the parts touching each other will move sluggishly or stuck, because of the sharpness of the edges that have become a little rough... Sand them round and you wil never have that problem again! 😉
It’s a 5-10 minute fix and you only have to do it one time! 😉
Removing the original strainer is easier if you remove the lower portion of the original strainer (just keep unscrewing it, and the adjustment screw will come out of the lower part, it's the only thing holding the bottom on). This will reveal the head of the bottom screw, and the adjustment screw will then swivel out of the way of the top screw. Always use a proper size wrench and screwdriver to remove and install parts on a drum shell. Pliers are a no-no.
Hi Ian. I upgraded to the P-86 on both my Ludwig 402 and my Black Beauty. Huge difference! Thank you for posting this video!
Hey Guys, There is another option in store its called a Ludwig P88AC Throw-Off, Throw-Off & Butt-Plate Pack, fits all snares with former P83/P85/P86 throw offs, wave-lock technology in the tension knob for consist tension under rigorous playing. Ludwig made these as ''Cheaper'' replacements for the p85! Good luck have fun playing!
Loving my conversion to the drum key strainer and butt plate.
Man, this was an excellent video!! I’m looking to sell my mid 90’s Ludwig 5.5X14 snare. I’m replacing the snare w/ a PURESOUND and Ludwig P88 throw-off.
Informative, thank you. I'm going to use the p86 on my Supraphonic restoration.
You've replaced the most famous & talked about snare strainer of all time, the mighty P--85. It is so amazing UA-cam's algorithms pushed your 6 yr old video into my feed. And I wasn't even looking up strainers. Will DW's mag throw-off get so much "love" ?😁
very useful vidéo. thank u so much !!! i'll upgrage quickly to p86
I restore drums an strainers an other drum related drum items ,cleaning the p85 an some oil it works like knew .
P86 is nice though
I own a 1965 (mint condition), a black galaxy sparkle (new) and a 2011 6.5x14 Supraphonic (mint condition) as well as a maple 1980s Rockers snare. Love em all. Definitely an Acrolite man myself
just replace my P85 to P86 thanks for the video
Never had any trouble with my p85 except for screws coming loose and having to use string on the side of the throw off... and only cheap drums come with plastic washers. Plastic washers make for hard tuning. But acrolites are so tuner friendly. The fact that I tune my snares really tight and the p85 still holds up is proof of its quality.
Hi Ian, you don't need to cut the ribbon, just pass it through the cut in the plate, between the screws, and pull it down. =)
My p85 doesn't stick or jam at all after dabbing a couple of drops of 3 in 1 oil on the friction points. And that was like 7 years ago.
This. Its actually the easiest fix, but next to no one tries it first lol. Too funny.
This is exactly what no one understands. 98% of drum hardware issues come from ancient lubrication simply drying out or collecting too much dirt over the years. And some use WD40 on hardware, thinking that will solve problems only to find it's made the problem worse after a time.
Sewing machine/gun oil will work but white lithium grease is really what you want to use.
Thanks. Glad I seen this before I wasted 50 on a strainer
Nice video, have a set of puresounds ready to go on my 70s acro, but just cant bear to use the string, gotta have the nice nylon straps
My P83 still works great on my 64' Acro.
Very helpful demonstration. Just changed mine on my '76 Supraphonic, and i have to say that it does look nice..However, i have heard that the P-86 can get wobbly and there are specific screws that tend to loosen over time. I guess i have to wait and see.. At the price i just paid for it, i certainly hope it doesn't. I don't know what it is, but i can't understand why Ludwig have not addressed their throw off problem by completely redesigning a completely new throw-off.. Ron Dunnett who has previously worked closely with Ludwig in the past, would be the only choice to design a new throw and butt for Ludwig, and making them retrofit the old P-85 and P-32 butt.. The only reason i changed mine out is because the P-85 only uses a string hole face, and as this gentleman said, he prefers the nylon strap over the nylon string, as do i..
However, my original P-85 still functions perfectly and smoothly, without any issues.
A little maintenance every now and then, such as taking it apart and lubricating all moving parts, will help in keeping it in playable shape.
I don't know what the complaint is about the original strainer. My classic Acrolite snare has one that is approximately 50 years old now. I bought it used and have never had a problem with the strainer. If you are doing this modification I would suggest keeping the old strainer in case you ever want to restore it's original condition. The Acrolite is a great drum just the way it is.
Thanks Paul. My complaint is the P85 on mine was horrible. That's the complaint. I really wanted the P86, so I put one on it and made a video... simple as that.
I don't really care about keeping it for pristine original-ness. I want this to be my work-horse, and it is holding up to the job very well. I'm glad to hear your Acro is kicking on for 50 years. Testament to Ludwig's snare drums.
Good luck with your drum. I think it is one of the best there is.
Hi Ian, thank you for posting this. Are those nylon washers on the tension rods? And would you recommend those over metal ones?
Yes I would recommend them over metal ones. I can't however tell you the science behind this decision, I just prefer to have no metal to metal contact with these particular components.
Really helpful video, the P85 I have at the moment is terrible - do you know if the P86 will fit a Ludwig Supralite?
Thank you. Yes, it sure will.
The worst part about the P85 I've found anyway, is that it rattles around when played with the snares off. Not sure if there's a way to fix that or if it's just mine, but it's the reason I want to change it.
Is there a work around to using the screwdriver? I’d really like to have a drum key access rod where you thread the wires
That is why the mag throw off switch was invented by dw drums. They made that to easily turn on and off the snare wires with just one flick and its either on or off and no complications. Lugwig drums of course is popular by many people and really I don't care for drum brands or anything like that. To me, if a drum sounds good that way it is, then there is no need to find that perfect drum set. And of course I perfer dw drums but if I can get any other drums, tama, pearl, Yamaha, mapex, whatever drums that already sounds good to my ears, then its fine.
My p85 from 1977 works like butter, but a brand new silver face p85 jams like shit in the off position lol
Dose that p-85 had a half circle on the bottom? And gets wedge? I trying to find a diagram and see what it looks like on the back. I have a same problem.
Thanks for this! I have a ludwig acrolite with P85 strainer and the plastic ribbon slips/moves at the butt end (screws are as tight as can be). So I can't put the snares on as tight as I'd like. Known issue? fixes for it?
This is odd as it's difficult to have the issue you describe. Either time to replace the butt plate or the ribbon with something thicker. The female (screw) part of the butt plate is not threaded is it? You should be able to torque that down good. hmmm.
The 86 is okay. I prefer the 85s.
I was happy to see a video on how to upgrade the P-85 to P-86...but I'm surprised to see that it's almost half an hour long?? It would take me far less time to just go and do it myself...
Me too if I wasn't making a video on it. :)
Often a little spray lube is all those Ludwig strainers need to not "stick".
Are your nylon washer flat?
Unreal.i just bought a used Acrolite, and the top of the strainer handle sits ABOVE THE RIM! Not handy if you play rimshot.
question what size is the washers that you use
Not sure, I just visited a 'nut&bolt' establishment and took a tension rod with me.
Would this be possible on a lm402 supraphonic?
MaxMapex Yes the P86 works on an LM402. Same hole spacing
I think P85 gets a bit of a bad rap. I'm not having a problem at all with it. I kind of like it actually.
With my P85 I can engage the wires silently without them slapping against the reso head. Aesthetically I find the P85 preferable to the 86 as well.
Going thru the process of changing my P85 strainer on my Black Galaxy now. What a piece of junk Ludwig puts on an otherwise great drum. I didn't even stay with a Ludwig strainer on the replacement. I want to be able to tighten the snare bands with a drum key instead of a phillips head screw driver,
I hate having to remove the snare head, because I'm always afraid to temper with its sound and durability. I would remove the upper one instead.
I don't think the P-85 is as bad a you make it out to be. Cheers.
Probably. Mine totally sucked however.
p85 is so awful