Cause people like chrome.

Hoppy the reason you are getting the answers your getting is because this subject is like the discussion of the chicken and the egg, there is no disconcernable difference in weight from the acoustic perfect shells weight between ludalloy and brass or bronze shells, also this is from rob cooks ludwig book page #246 the first catalog to include the model 404 was #64 of 1963 where the shell was described as Ludwigs new acoustic perfect shell design the same catalog described the already venerable supraphonic 400 as having a new one piece acoustic-perfect seamless shell, Coincidence?? Not when you consider that they were made from the same ALUMINUM shells, the only difference were the number of holes drilled and the surface texture(to date acrolites from 1963-1993 use the production clues for the supra phonic, snare beds,badges, etc)while the supra phonic was drilled for ten lugs and the acrolite was drilled for eight lugs the supra phonic was chrome plated and the acrolite was anodized, there are also ten lug acrolites just to make it more confusing for the novice's also, and I'm done on this OK!! this is a very old subject to us old vintage guys really!!

OK, "Ludalloy" is a marketing gimmick. It is aluminum. The chroming of aluminum "brightened" the sound of this already accidental tourist. Yes, it did provide a "low-end" price point, however, the Acrolite and conversely the Supraphonic have become two of the absolute best sounding snare drums of all time. Since the introduction of the Acrolites and Supraphonics, they became the most produced snare drums in history. And because of "Ludalloy", it was a unique sound and had an as un-yet heard crack that no other shell in history had. It is nothing more than a marketing gimmick, that name.

And why chrome plate it? Add a couple extra lugs, use the best we have, and make a few hundred more dollars per copy, at a minimal cost increase...Brilliant marketing, and still, one the most sought after drums on the market. Every Acro that goes on sale, with very few exceptions, sell for more than they ever sold for new. Look at a mid 70s Acro...new they were what, 75-80 bucks? Now they still sell for the same, real time money, 150ish in good to excellent condition. And Supras? 250 and up, even with some pitting of the chrome. Why? Because. They sound good, no great, no the best sounding modern snare available, still today, even thought the Acrolite is no longer produced in it's simplest form.

I don't get what is being saught out here. Ludwig family says it's aluminum. Why is there doubt? Where is the discrepancy in the drum? Atomic weights have no bearing here unless you can define variables such as density and full alloy disclosure. Are we seeking the number of moles of atoms in a lug or something? What the heck?

Exactly.....

And I still like my BLT on untoasted white bread..........Cool Dude

....and you are still a freak of nature for it. RAW bread!

Well... what I'm trying to get around to is figuring out what type of drum I have. I posted in another thread and will have more details to follow. that's leading me to ask more about the metalurgy. One of the things that I wanted to know was if Ludaloy was a coating or a principle proprietary alloy or just a full blown aluminum shell.

"there is no disconcernable difference in weight from the acoustic perfect shells weight between ludalloy and brass or bronze shells,"

So nobody here has tried to find out first hand? I find it difficult to believe and only will when presented with the facts...shell to shell. There should be little difference between the brass and bronze alloys but the aluminum will be discernable.

"acoustic-perfect seamless shell"

What does this marketing term mean? It could refer to absolutely anything on or about the drum...from shape/design to material of construction... or a subjective sonic quality.

"I don't get what is being saught out here. Ludwig family says it's aluminum. Why is there doubt?"

Because there are inconsistancies in the catalog and the samples I have in my possession. Some may be incorrectly evaluating certain drums and overpaying. I didn't think passing of information and sharing knowledge was a bad thing.

"Are we seeking the number of moles of atoms in a lug or something? What the heck?"

Let's focus on the shells, we'll start another thread for the lugs.

Well, what if I could tell you what the shell composition was of any given sample? Would that be of interest? ehhh... Probably not... sounds like you guys have already covered it all.

Read this thread: http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=9441

I created it almost a year ago, and David stickied it......it should clear some things up for you.

I really wish the noobies would learn what the search function is for before dragging us all into these kind of discussions over and over again.....Sumo Dude

I just went to great pain to also Illustrate this, my 402 ludalloy weighs 10 1/2LBS my Brass 402 weighs 11LBS the 1st one has steel rims the 2nd has brass rims if they both had Identical rims the weight would be the same, also as the sticky will tell you the ways to tell the difference's without scraping the holes and doing damage to your drum! and the lugs are fusion diecast! no other thread needed!

"you want butter or jam on that toast?" "no ma'am, dry."