DRUMMER CAFE - Community Forum

I just pulled the trigger on a '66 acrolite.  Details and pics to follow pursuant to the requisite 3-5 days of shipping...and there will be questions about refurbishment and polishing aluminum.  Cheers, Bob

Welcome to the club.  Your membership card and jacket are in the mail (allow 4-6 weeks).  We meet every other Thursday at the Old Country Buffet.  :)

Ahhh - I thought I sensed a strengthening in The Force...   8)

Yeah.  ;D

I've been up all night crafting models of the Acrolite with mashed potato.  ???

LOL!!!

Mashed potatoes...Country Buffett?...Hmmm.
These meetings, no one mentioned what time they ocurred. 4pm blue-hair special? If so, I'll have the chickenfried steak w/ a side of Lipator.  As for the drum, if only I can use this power for good...perhaps the council can enlighten me on the 10 appropriate uses of the acrolite? Or is that part of some sacred initiation rite?

Bob

ps: I prefer to make my prototype drums from paper mache...

 

You're also probably starting to feel a compulsion to buy some 42-strand snares.

Don't bother trying to resist - it's futile.

(http://www.keithcronin.com/drumstuff/assimilated_42.jpg)

Of course England won their one and only soccer World Cup in 1966.
So I suggest you christen your drum 'Willy' after the team's mascot.
I would also suggest you have the 3 Lions emblem engraved on each panel of the drum, but that might be going a bit far.

The '67 Acro with the 42 strand makes a really keen avatar, too!

I love it! Welcome aboard!!!

Remember this?

Next, convert him to the dark side - BLACROLITE!!!!!

Bwah-ha-ha.

boomerweps

Here's the new "assimilated 42" for you Mr. A:

LOL!   ;D

Ok,
1) you all have way too much free time on your hands...

2) pic below.  I was incorrect, it is not a '66. It is a '65.  Very clean, the strainer and baseball bat work perfectly.  Some very minor scratches on the shell, but what do you want for 43+ years?  I'll disassemble it completely, clean, polish and oil everything, set up with new heads and snare wires.  She's a keeper, thats for sure.

Cheers, Bob
Acrolite Rookie

(http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7222/acrolite004ce3.jpg)

I think I'm going to run on this Acrolite club idea!

Let's try something:
If you own a Acrolite, take some photos of the drum and write down the specifics (year, strainer type, rim type, etc.). If you need help let us know! Also take a photo with you holding your Acrolite.

I'm going to run a special feature on the Acrolite in the upcoming weeks and I would like to include everyone that I can.

Also, if you are up for it, shoot some video of your Acrolite as you describe and talk about it. I'll include everyone on a future episode on DCTV. More on the video thing later!

This thread is brilliant! Star Trek AND drums in the one thread :D

Bart,

Do you want the photo's posting here or emailed to you?

Also what format do you want the video in?

Cheers

N

yeah I'd be up for the acrolite idea. Just let me know if anything is happening Bart.
Jack

I would suggest posting the photos here ... but keep a high resolution on file so I can contact you for it at a later date.

No need for video, I'll just put together a montage using everyone's photos. If, however, you'd like to shoot some video to be used on DCTV, I'm happy to consider that.

What d'yu think of this brotha?
http://a227.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/123/l_1846c8ac695f0d33fdb97480a239e382.jpg (http://a227.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/123/l_1846c8ac695f0d33fdb97480a239e382.jpg)

http://a383.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/48/l_57567d10478790deecdd943c1a7678fe.jpg (http://a383.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/48/l_57567d10478790deecdd943c1a7678fe.jpg)

I'd be delighted if you used that in DCTV Bart. I think it's really cool doing a segment on the acro.
I know my snare is 1968, I used to know the day but I have forgoten (shocking I know) Apart from that I'm unsure as to strainer type or rim type.

Jack

I'm in

Here's the story...

I'm have always wanted to own a ludwig with ludalloy shell whatever it's a Acrolite or Supraphonic (or both) and in april I sold my boat so I had little money spared for a good deal. I was lurking eBay for some times now for bargain on an Acro, unfornately I missed a deal on ebay Canada 3 weeks ago so I didn't discourage myself and last minute bidded on a dirty & rusted Acrolite on eBay U.S. last week which I won.

Now the bad part is that snare have probably seen many stick and many bad weather including hurricane Katrina (the seller is from Lafayette, Louisiana). I got the snare for 52$ and the shipping to Canada was 25$ which isn't that bad. I knew I would have a long moment cleaning that baby but I never thought it would take that long (about 6 hours) but at the end it was worthwhile, I gave a second live to this "legend".

To proove it happened...

That box arrived to my door tuesday morning.

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Girftbox.jpg)

Very dirty & rusty (in two words "bad shape")

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Acrolitefrontdirty.jpg)

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Acrolitefrontdirty2.jpg)

Closer look - it was rusty all inside out the hoops - lug - tension rods - throw-off.

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Acrolitenearwithrust.jpg)

Now after a hard & good clean up with many products and greasing lugs & thow-off, here's the result which leave me satisfied. I think it give back that snare all its glory.

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Acrolitefrontclean2.jpg)

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Acrolitesidethrow-off.jpg)

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Acroliteside.jpg)

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Acrolitetop.jpg)

With it's good friends for couple of hours

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Acrolitesidecleaningproducts.jpg)

Closer look of its friends which help it to regain some pride.

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/New%20snare%20drum%20Ludwig%20Acrolite/Cleaningproducts.jpg)

Now as for the sound of this Acrobaby, well found out yourself because that snare is the snare that every drummer should at least own in their arsenal. Warm crack (just like the one found on girls), sensitive without overtone just nice warm harmonics pleasant to the ear. I understand now why I always hear that Acrolite is very versatile because they are lighweight but heavy in presence (rimshot).

I'm Happy ! 

Now the Acrolite I own is probably born after 1980 (before 1984 though) with serial # 3016996 and has the 2mm triple-flanged hoops. It also has the original throw-off (which I might replace) and the original 12 strands snare wire.

I got my acrolite shell for free and ended up putting 80 bucks into it.

I needed a new strainer, hoops, wires, a few inserts, T Rods, heads of course.  I think I even had to get a butt plate.

I should try and get that thing back.  Either that or do a keystone one.

Okayyyyy, I'm in too!!! Sorry, no pictures yet.  I have it pulled apart tonight so that I can install new heads and snares.  I hope to use if for a straight ahead jazz gig on Saturday.  It is a B/O but I have no idea what year. I am very excited.
Oh, yes, about that club jacket, does it have epaulets?

Bill 8)

Yes, but they're more like the ones on those old 80's Members Only jackets - as opposed to the ones Michael Jackson and Captain Stubing wear.  :)

Is the corners of the B/O badge pinpoint or rounded ?

The top right hand corner and lower left hand corner are pointed. Does that make sense? I hope so, any thoughts on how old? Thanks.
Bill

Uhmm, based on my age and musical preferences I think we're talking Members Only style jackets.  ;D

Then it would make your snare dated from 1969 to 1979. Also with serial # we would be able to better tell the approx. year.