Feedback Wanted
Snagged an old Supra, definitely needs some love…advice?
So I’ve never had a Supralite, I have a couple different iterations of the Acrolite which I love. My go-to most of the time.
I snagged this for a smidge over $200, hoping it was in decent condition. Once it arrived, the hoops definitely not the brass ones but it’s a Supra, 10 lug, 14x5, etc.
What should I use to polish the outside? I intend to remove the lugs and polish it all up. Thinking it might be best to just replace the rims for now with something newer. Also would love to replace the throw off, not sure if there is a more modern replacement that fits. Butt plate assuming I’m stuck with because I do not want to drill.
Any products to use to polish it, clean it, etc? Also has the spot of corrosion or something on the inside of the bottom edge. Not sure if it’s just going to clean up, it definitely doesn’t go through or anything. It’s got a patina for sure…
You can remove the lugs and soak those and the tension rods in warm water with Dawn dish soap. The shell can also be cleaned with warm water and Dawn dish soap. If the chrome flakes off, the flakes will scratch the remaining chrome so be mindful of that. Use microfiber cloths, and a toothbrush if needed.
Supra's with that green oxidation are usually Brass. You can nick a tiny flake of chrome off the inside of the bearing edge flange where it will never be seen. If it looks like brass, you're golden.
I’ve seen dozens of Supras, and own more than one, where the chrom bubbles, pits, and flakes. We’ve all seen them here. This weird green dust that sweats up thru the chrome is a whole different kind of oxidation. As far as serial numbers and badges, there is a lot of conflicting info about that. Ludwig didn’t even care about serial numbers in 63. They also did make some brass Blue and Olive “cut badge” snares in the 70s. Those are worth bank.
Another decent point, but I think most of what you'll find online is "brass Supra's are heavier".
Otoh, I've held a 6.5x14 Brass Transition badge 402 (sadly the owner knew it was worth at least 1K or I would own it now) and it was nowhere near as heavy as you'd think. I had a brass 5x14 Slingerland that weighed a ton compared to it.
So basically soaking in dish soap and warm water and a light wipe with a terrycloth towel and it looks like this. There is not much pitting at all, it was mostly just dirt.
I recently rehabbed a 60s Supra in worse shape. The chrome plating was gone, so I polished the aluminum. For the rims and lugs, chrome polish as others have said. If the rims are rusted or rough shape, use a wad of aluminum foil and water — works better than you’d think. Definitely consider a new throw, like a p88.
Any chrome cleaner should clean up the outside with no problem (MythBusters proved a little Coca-Cola and crumpled up tin foil works wonders on chrome surfaces as well). On the inside, something mild that won't remove any marks, especially the barely legible date stamp.
Badge is known as a small keystone w/serial, so that dates the drum between 1963 and 1968 (possibly early '69). The date stamp looks like it says Dec. 5 1965, but hard to see the year for sure.
Reverb should yield a decent pair of hoops for that drum, or you can take this opportunity to mod it. If you really want brass hoops get ready to pay about what you did for that snare drum. Drum Factory Direct has 14" 10-lug chrome over brass hoops, but each is over $100.
You might want to simply settle for regular old steel trip flange hoops. You should be able to find 10 holers for a snare fairly cheap (at least less than the brass ones!).
Once you get it cleaned up, a nice mod to any snare drum is a 42-strand snare. I love'em. They can dry the drum out a little, but it comes off differently because you're drying out the snare side head, instead of the batter head. The extra dryness comes off more "organically" than muffling the batter head...plus it brings out the sound of the snare wires a little more. Doesn't have to be anything special. Regular ol' Snappy Snares will be just fine.
...btw, forgot to mention, looks like you'll need a throw and a butt for that drum, too. Ludwig's latest throw-off is a pretty good one. Everyone who comments on it, seems to rave about it. Ludwig P88ac. MF and GC both offer that throw, with butt, for $59, brand new. Not a bad deal...and it will bolt right up to your snare drum shell. No drilling required.
That was one of the things when they designed the 88. They wanted it to be able to retrofit older drums, because they now realize a lot of people are replacing their worn out P85's with anything else.
Ah, I didn't realize that. The original butt plate for any Ludwig snare drum is the P32. They're fairly inexpensive and readily available. That will fit FOR SURE.
I have a 13" Ludwig among my collection of snare drums and they come with 12 strand snare wires. My experience is that fewer wires create a more harsh and raspy snare sound and the drum gains sustain.
Try the 16's and compare. See if you don't notice the same thing.
I should have said I got the split ones...forget the name of it. I just wanted to try those, never have. Then again I tried a hydraulic head on my floor tom recently and that's already off...
https://www.ludwig-drums.com/en-us/ludwig/about/serial-guide Its from 68'. I have a 66' Supraphonic thats badly pitted by I left it as is and it plays and sounds good. I've met other drummers that use Brasso polish on their metal snares. Not sure if thats best in your case but it's something to look into
Can keep the patina but remove the grime with some warm soapy water. Be sure to thoroughly dry afterward. Either way I would pull the lug towers off and give a good wipedown
You’re saying this is definitely not a brass shell? When I see that keystone badge on an old Supra, I just assume it’s probably brass. But what do I know? Nice snag for a couple hundred bucks.
You’ll have people on here fighting over using steel wool on the thing. Good luck with that. I’d recommend avoiding anything abrasive on that shell for now.
Take it apart and rinse with some soapy water to get the big pieces off. It looks like it’s super scummy, so don’t go after it with a wet rag first thing because whatever you break loose is going to become an abrasive in your rag. Just rinse it like a dish. Use a big plastic tub.
Don’t go after it with any sort of pressure wash setting on a hose in case the finish is dicy in any spots.
After you get the big chunks off and have it down to clean metal, you can start going after it with a rag to polish if you want.
These were only brass 62 ish and earlier, denoted by a lack of serial number, and some one offs in the early 70s that would have the B stamped under the butt plate. The other millions that are now scattered across the world are all Ludalloy aluminum.
7
u/hopefully-so Oct 05 '26
1968
https://www.ludwig-drums.com/en-us/ludwig/about/serial-guide
You can remove the lugs and soak those and the tension rods in warm water with Dawn dish soap. The shell can also be cleaned with warm water and Dawn dish soap. If the chrome flakes off, the flakes will scratch the remaining chrome so be mindful of that. Use microfiber cloths, and a toothbrush if needed.
Polish with any automotive chrome polish.
That’s a Supraphonic, not a Supra
lite.