Ludwig-Musser

Ludwig- Musser is a manufacturer of drums and percussion instruments. The company is now one of Conn - Selmer, Inc.

History

Early years

The American company Louis was founded in 1909 by the two sons of the German immigrant William F. Ludwig senior. First, the brothers Theobald (1888-1918) and William F. Ludwig Jr. (1916-2008) operated the company together under the name of Ludwig & Ludwig. Your first new development was better pedal for the bass drum. With this it was possible to have to play faster without sacrificing volume. It was followed by the development of a kettledrum, which was completed in 1916. In the 1920s, Ludwig & Ludwig expanded the product range to include banjos, but it made ​​losses, which resulted in the Great Depression, that the company was taken over by CG Conn. William F. Ludwig ran the business on behalf of Conn continued until 1936, before he decided to start his own company.

W.F.L. Drum Company

Founded in 1937 William F. Ludwig in Chicago his new company under the name of WFL Drum Company. The first product that he brought to the market, was the " Speed ​​King pedal ". 1955 to buy back Ludwig & Ludwig by CG Conn succeeded. Subsequently, the company was renamed Ludwig Drum Company.

The Beatles and the rise to a global enterprise

World fame, the company acquired by accident. Ringo Starr, the drummer for the Beatles did in 1963 to purchase a new drum set. Until that time, he played one of the company Premier. At the dealer Ivor Arbiter he saw a pattern of shade "Black Oyster Pearl ", which he liked, but was available only from Ludwig. So Ringo Starr chose this brand. There are also the famous Beatles logo with the dropped was ( German: a lowered ) T designed and painted on the bass drum. As the fame of the Beatles is also the name of Ludwig, whose logo was placed next to the band name on the fur of the bass drum used. Newly formed bands copied not only the music but also the clothing and equipment of the Beatles. So Ludwig could extremely increase production. This in turn had a multiplier effect, as well as other bands that played Ludwig, gained world-wide fame, whose supporters then also Ludwig preferred.

In 1966, the business was expanded with the acquisition of the Musser Marimba Company. Musser introduced percussion instruments such as vibraphones, marimbas and tubular bells ago. Therefore, Ludwig covered the full range from the field of percussion instruments.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Louis was the world's leading percussion company. For his contributions to Ludwig Ringo Starr received in 1964 by the company with a special snare.

Vista Lite

Ludwig was also known for its transparent acrylic drums that were offered in various colors and sampling under the name " Vista Lite " (mainly in the shade: clear, amber and blue). The launch was in 1972. 1979 the production of these drums was set. One of the most famous musicians on the Vista Lite was John Bonham.

Takeover by Selmer

1981 Ludwig was taken over by the Selmer Company.

From the 1980s, Ludwig increasingly lost market share. This was the one the up coming Japanese competitors like Pearl, Yamaha and Hoshino Gakki ( Tama ) owed, but on the other hand the lack of workmanship.

Tom holder

By the end of the 1960s, Ludwig mounted a slightly curved rosette on the bass drum. Due to the form of these will be referred to as so-called " Bananentomhalterung ". The mandrel on which the Hängetom was inserted and attached was pushed on the bass drum through these structures to the left or right and can be positioned (English " Rail Consolette ").

From the late 1960s moved to a new Ludwig tom mounting system that belongs to the current standard and is used, among others, of Tama. This was now centrally mounted. One reason for this was the increasing use of two rack toms. Here, a long pipe now was sunk in the bass drum, which now allowed a good height adjustment, where the fluted mandrels are mounted for Tomaufnahmen. These are easily adjustable in almost all directions.

Speed King

Legendary is the Ludwig "Speed ​​King" pedal, which set the standard for a long time. She was known to be particularly fast. The machine was in 1936 under the number - Engaged NTC patent - POSK.

Snares

Snares by Ludwig are legendary to this day. Here are the Black Beauty Super Sensitive to call or Supraphonic. The Supraphonic is distinguished by the sensitive -applied super parallel withdrawal from it. Due to the parallel withdrawal, however, is also produced a significant difference in sound. The Super Sensitive has been mainly used in the 1960s, while the Supraphonic is used by many rock and hard rock drummers / was such as John Bonham ( Led Zeppelin), Ian Paice, Ginger Baker, Carl Palmer and Steve Gadd. These are available in sizes 14 " × 5 and 14 " × 6.5 ". Latter prevailed in the hard rock area, because, in contrast to 5" is more assertive.

In the 1980s, the Ludwig Coliseum was much used. This is a wood snare with the dimensions 14 " x 8 ". They came in many productions typical 1980s snare sound.

Vintage

On the vintage market are drums and drums of Louis the most sought after percussion instruments and fetch high prices. This is especially true for the Black Beauty snares.

Known Ludwig drummer

Played many famous drummer or play drums by Ludwig. Some of these are:

Snare drum Acryloyl group Pearl Drums Steve Gadd Cream (band) Brian Bennett (musician) The Carpenters Birth Control (band) Asia (Band) Herman Rarebell Queen (Band)
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