A long established company that is rich in history and tradition, premiers name has been associated with a wealth of star performers in many musical genres not only at home in england but all over the globe. The company s sales more than doubled in two years from 6. From his first venture, advance drum company, to working with george b. History 1955 he returned to the ludwig division changed name to ludwig drum company 1966 purchase musser marimba made complete percussion company expanded. However, with so many years of history under its belt, accurately identifying the year of manufacture for a ludwig drum is a daunting task for those unfamiliar with the company s evolution. Finally, a book that thoroughly traces the rich history of the american drum industry. History of american drums planet drum metodi, libri, cd, dvd. We are here to answer your ludwig drum history questions.
In 1940 he authored an instructional book, modern dance drumming formerly swing drumming, which is still included in many teaching lists and published in two languages. In this book, author rob cook gives the complete history of the rogers drum company, whose drums, in the words of notsomodern drummer editor john aldridge, were the cadillac of the 1960swhose innovations in hardware design have been copied by almost every drum manufacturer in existence. According to harry canganys book the great american drums and the companies that made them, robert danlys contribution to the firms. The rogers book covers the company s east coast beginnings, the covington, oh era, english. Ludwig drum company history of theobald ludwig brother of william f. Centerstream publishing history of the ludwig drum company book discover one of americas greatest contributions to the music world the drum set. An unrivalled history serving drummers worldwide since 1922, premier has remained at the forefront of percussion design and development. In 1955 ludwig bought the name ludwig back from conn wfl drums had been directly competing with connmade ludwig drums in order to found the ludwig drum company. The ludwig drum company, under the leadership of bill ludwig ii and bill ludwig iii, would go on to become the most dominating drum company in history through the 1960s and 70s before it was sold in 1981.
History of the ludwig drum company book and more music. Unfulfilled in his current work and longing to reenter the drum. Additional innovations followed in lug design and materials. There he became known throughout the industry at trade shows and conferences promoting music education materials as well as the. Ludwig drum company family history william f ludwig.
Youll also discover why the best drummers ringo starr, joe morello, danny gottlieb, and others play ludwig drums. Centerstream publishing history of the ludwig drum company. Ludwig drum company history history of vintage drums. Once again innovation launched ludwig to the forefront of american drums. This unique publication uses extensive interviews with the ludwigs and photos from their personal collections to. History of the ludwig drum company by schmidt, paul william and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ludwig establishes a new drum company called wfl drum.
A brief history of the drum set todays common drum kit is just 100 years old, even though drums have been around for millenia. Here are links to the different ludwig drum company history sections on this web site that will help you pin point the year and type of ludwig drums you have. Gc conn threatened to sue ludwig over the name so ludwig soon changed his new company s name to wfl william f ludwig drum company. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. The ludwig drum company was the worlds largest drum company in the 1920s under founder william f. Many ludwig drums, including main line keystone and blueolive badges and standards, have dates stamped inside their shells or on paper labels. The histories of the bass drum pedal, metal shell snare drum, and the modern synthetic drum head are well documented. Ludwig universal speed master bass drum pedal, 1960s made by.
Youll also discover why the best drummers ringo starr, joe morello, danny gottlieb and others use ludwigs. The ludwig drum experts are here to answer your ludwig drum history questions. It fell out of favor with the advent of drum machines and sampling. May 07, 2012 origins week music the origins of ludwig drums. Rob cook, founder of the chicago drum show and author of the leedy way, gives us the complete history of the leedy drum company.
The history section of the leedy website written by rob cook, author of the complete history of the leedy drum company, isbn 0931759749. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. We truly appreciate your support of the ludwig family and keeping the history of the ludwig drum company going for many years. Schmidthistory of the ludwig drum company product information discover one of americas greatest contributions to the music world the drumset by exploring this book. At 61 years old, bill ludwig iii was at a crossroad. Created to be highly portable for the drummer on the go, ludwig s atlas classic series hardware is precision engineered for higher function and increased durability. The vintage drum forum can be found by clicking here. Moves forward to the 1920s and the the invention of the bass drum pedal and hihat pedals. Ludwig s expansive past is nearly as long as the line of drummers eager to get their hands on the company s legendary vintage gear. Aug 04, 2018 a brief history of the drum set todays common drum kit is just 100 years old, even though drums have been around for millenia. Dating guide includes catalogs, badges, colors, hardware, snare drums, and.
The george way drum company modern drummer magazine. Thank you for visiting our ludwig online store page. The simple, lightweight approach of our original flatbased stands is enhanced with modern. Centerstream publishing history of the ludwig drum company book. He joined the ludwig drum company in 1938, and except for 3 12 years of war service, guided its growth until the sale to selmer. The companys sales more than doubled in two years from 6. Discover one of americas greatest contributions to the music world the drumset by exploring this book. The ludwig book a business history and dating guide book book cdrom softcover history of the ludwig drum company. The ludwig book a business history and dating guide book and.
Ludwig and slingerlands historic drum rivalry reverb news. Theobald ludwig, brother of william f ludwig and also a professional drummer at the turn of the century. The history of the ludwig drum company ludwig drums ludwig drum sets. History of the ludwig drum company paul william schmidt. The ludwig book a business history and dating guide book bookcdrom. Ludwig ii was proud of the company his father started, largely based on the 1909 patented bass drum pedal, which allowed the drummer to sit down for the first time. Ludwig drums have a distinct advantage over gretsch when it comes to establishing a relationship between serial number and date. The slingerland drum company is a historic drum company that is linked to the rich history of jazz drumming.
Jim jumped at the chance to work for the ludwig drum company in the early 1980s. Historic information, personal anecdotes, and hundreds of black and white and color photos from the golden era of american drum manufacturing. This is the official ludwig family page and thanks for visiting. The ludwig book by rob cook is an extensive and historic guide of the ludwig drum company. The origins of ludwig drums bleader chicago reader. In paul william schmidts 1991 book, history of the ludwig drum company. This unique publication by paul william schmidt uses extensive i. History of the ludwig drum company paul william schmidt on. Meanwhile in 1937 bill ludwig reentered the drum business and started the william f ludwig drum company. The ludwig drum company was established in 1909 by william f. Nov 01, 2003 the ludwig book by rob cook is the definitive business and historical guide to this legendary drum manufacturer. Buy the history of the ludwig drum company by paul william schmidt isbn.
There on ringos bass drum was my name, ludwig iii said in the book the history of the ludwig drum company. The name vistalite refers to the translucent plastic that the shells were made out of. The great american drums and the companies that made them. Ludwig musser is a leading producer of drums and other percussion instruments. Rebeats vintage drum history chicago drum show vintage. Over 150 photos and illustrations make the book history of the ludwig drum company an invaluable reference for all drummers. According to harry canganys book the great american drums and the companies that made them, robert danlys contribution to the firms success was critical. Ludwig ii begins with his childhood recollections of home life and his fathers drum factory. Ludwig was forced to buy different types of wood to mold. History of the ludwig drum company paperback august 1, 1991 by paul william schmidt author. Ludwig drum history theobald ludwig ludwig drum company.
Complete business history and gretsch drum dating guide in the pattern of rob cooks books on ludwig, slingerland and rogers. George way may not be a household name to all drummers, but he was one of the greatest innovators in american drum history. The ludwig drum experts ludwig drums history vintage. Ludwig became the national rudimental champion and member of the famous. History of the drumset takes you from the late 1800s with brass bands and the founding of ludwig drum company.
A ludwig employee designed a new bass drum pedal dubbed the speed king. Includes dozens of interviews, a 64page color section, a dating guide including every catalogued ludwig snare drum and outfit, and a handy cdrom. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Vistalite drums were a line of acrylic drums produced by the ludwig drum company, introduced in 1972. Steve maxwell vintage and custom drums leedy history. Ludwig drums were in such high in demand that proper lumber for classic shell molds were becoming scarce. This club idea met with such favorable response that it decided to adopt the name of national association of rudimental drummers and to further encourage the study of rudimental drumming.
Dating guide includes catalogs, badges, colors, hardware, snare drums, and kits. This unique publication uses extensive interviews with the ludwigs and photos from their personal collections to recall the origins, development, and tools of the craft. Jim catalano loved playing drums as a small boy but never imagined a life in music. A history of ludwig drums and the ludwig black beauty snare. Innovation that paved the way for all custom drum builders ludwig drum company history in 1909, the brothers ludwig, william and theobaldner, were the founders of what is now the ludwig musser company, which is owned by steinway musical instruments. Jul 02, 2014 ludwig drum company history in 1909, the brothers ludwig, william and theobaldner, were the founders of what is now the ludwigmusser company, which is owned by steinway musical instruments. Here are links to the different ludwig drum company history sections on this web site that will help you pin point the year and type of ludwig drums. Welcome to the william f ludwig drum company family page. Bill followed in his fathers footsteps by leading the company, overseeing the companys reorganization following world war ii, the beatles boom of the 1960s, and. In paul william schmidts 1991 book, history of the ludwig drum company lots of cool pictures, william jr. This book and other drum history materials are available from rebeats at. The history of drums country drumming a short article covering the introduction of drums into traditional country music years ago. History of the ludwig drum company book sale price.
The ludwig book by rob cook is the definitive business and historical guide to this legendary drum manufacturer. A ludwig stainless steel drums showcase bonham reissue kit and 1979 kit duration. Schmidthistory of the ludwig drum company percussion. Over 150 photos and illustrations make this an invaluable reference for all drummers. Ludwig drum company family history ludwig drums history. The start of the ludwig drum company, and the most famous name on drums 1909 william f. Ludwig drum company history information ludwig drums history. Ludwig drums is a us musical instruments manufacturers, focused on percussion. The 48 page music book is in good condition with edge wear, sticker removal mark at top right hand corner, slight stain along fore edge and some browning to cover,there is a small whole at the bottom of the first page but it does not affect the text. The history of the ludwig drum company by william schmidt.
The histories of the bass drum pedal, metal shell snare drum, and. Interviews with the ludwig family and photos from their personal collections recall the ludwig drum company from its origins to the present. Scarecrow press, 1st edition 1991, 2nd edition 1998. He published the book the ludwig drum and bugle manual in 1956, followed by the ludwig tympani instructor in 1957. If you are learning about your ludwig drum set or ludwig snare drum and want help then please ask the drum experts. Includes a history of gretsch artist relations includes an alphabetic list of every gretsch drum endorser from 1936 to 2012 with photos of over 200 of them. As time goes on we will add more ludwig drum company history and never before seen ludwig family photos.