Restoring a 90's Ludwig "Blackrolite" Snare Drum // Black Galaxy Acrolite

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Ludwig P88 Mount: amzn.to/3Qxa6JA
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malonedrum
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The backing tracks used in these videos are from Tim Baltes Drumless Tracks collection available here: slouxrecording...
#ludwigdrums #snare #acrolite

[@malonedrum]

If you want to pick up one of the P88 throws, here's a link (that also supports my channel at no extra cost to you!). amzn.to/3Qxa6JA

[@sparknado]

This video is worth the watch just for the info on making the newer style butt plate fit older Ludwig snares

[@malonedrum]

That’s was real the life changing part for me.

[@RimShot_Studio]

Man!!! That info on the P88 butt plate is gold. I can now use the two for my Black Beauty’s that I couldn’t before. I wish Ludwig would get those drilled correctly for these vintage drums. Great video and thanks for the tip. The P88 is just leaps above the P85.

[@malonedrum]

It’s a huge game changer on it for me!

[@sweetfoampunishment3286]

3:54 is what we are all longing for! Thank you VERY much!!

[@malonedrum]

Yes, I know!

[@Globularmotif]

The Acrolite is by far my favourite snare, so many classic breaks feature an Acrolite mostly in higher tunings. That's when you get to hear the unique character of that particular snare the best...Great video dude!

[@malonedrum]

Thanks for checking it out, and I agree on the acros legacy!

[@aaronapter]

Acrolite is king of snares! It’s my bread n butter gigging snare! I have a black beauty and supraphonic and a Noble & Cooley alloy classic. The Acro is my go time gigging snare. Light, durable, and if it gets stolen from my car,, it’s not the end of the world.

[@malonedrum]

Desert. Island. Drum.

[@Tropicusa]

Just picked up a 1970s Acrolite! $50 Bucks, Loving it! Thanks for Sharing! Good stuff!

[@malonedrum]

That’s a great deal!

[@gscdrummer9422]

I have used mine off and on for live gigs for years. Adapts well in most any setting, especially in low volume, and the black tends to blend in most any environment.

[@malonedrum]

A great workhorse!

[@emrahercancakir]

Just scored one of these for $120 in MINT condition yesterday. I could not be happier. What a great snare!!!

[@malonedrum]

Nice deal!

[@emrahercancakir]

Thanks for the comment and the great video. Cheers!

[@matthewsherman9765]

I gave up and ended up getting the iNDE universal butt plate but good to know I kept the one that came with the throw. 😊

[@malonedrum]

I finally saw the new iNDE butt plate, and it's awesome. When I bought my first iNDE strainer, they came with a single point butt plate, which was useless for me at the time.

[@gregwonhoff7161]

Mike, I just love your interesting and informational videos. Each day when I get up, you and a couple other KZbin contributors are the first thing I look for. Thank you so much for all you do.

[@malonedrum]

Appreciate you always watching, but also commenting regularly. Not only is it nice to read words of encouragement, but it really does do a lot in terms of feeding the algorithm and helping more people see my vids!

[@BrianPatteson-dq8mt]

Me too!

[@zereds]

Thank you Mike, super useful once again!

[@malonedrum]

Thanks

[@BrianPatteson-dq8mt]

I love your shows!!

[@malonedrum]

Appreciate it.

[@keithdeen9320]

Just scored a black galaxy acrolite for $6 at a yard sale Needs a throw off and strainer what a score!!!

[@malonedrum]

Lucky!

[@BobOMKE858]

Mine is a 67 bought in Milwaukee from Beihoff Music (long since gone). Still have the original hardware. Love the sound.

[@malonedrum]

Nice! I believe those 60s ones were more a polished chrome look and less of a flat gray?

[@BobOMKE858]

@@malonedrum Correct. Really "hot" for the day. All the other companies were featuring sparkles.

[@macadoo2530]

LOVE my mid 70s acrolite. Actually prefer it to my 71 Supra most of the time. Both excellent tho

[@malonedrum]

Nice!

[@dustincassidy]

Song #3 is “Two Princes” by The Spin Doctors

[@malonedrum]

✅

[@woodypernell416]

Picked up a mint 90's Blackrolite for $50 with case. Installed an Inde throw and butt plate, works great, kept the original P85 to put back on if I ever sell it. Use the Blackro on various sessions and smaller room gigs or when I just want a change from my 402....Nice vids, keep up the good work! PS, I bought a rock and roller cart after watching your video on it, best $ I've spent on gear in a long time! Thanks for the heads up. Cheers!

[@malonedrum]

You'll thank yourself (and hopefully me for recommending) every time you use that cart!

[@soulgivesoul07]

I’m about to do this exact set up to my black galaxy snare, thanks for the info

[@malonedrum]

Good luck!

[@jeffbrown8821]

I have 2 Acrolites and 1 Blackrolite. I play the Blackrolite for live gigs and use an Acrolite tuned identical as a backup snare. Love them! So versatile.

[@malonedrum]

Nice!

[@KlashDrums]

Sounds great! Very informative thanks Mike 😃

[@malonedrum]

You bet guys!

[@yvanmessier5764]

Again a very good video Sir.

[@malonedrum]

Thanks!

[@jemmace2586]

100 % spot on! I've owned a few acrolites, they're THE BEST drum for the money ever produced, for a drummer just past starting out and with the development of their ear for that great snare sound, they're the one to go for. Brilliant video and I hope budding drummer's watching take note, there are no better snare drums out there for the money, than the ever ready and easy to tune Acrolites. Thanks Mike and thanks Ludwig drums. 👍

[@malonedrum]

It's really a must have drum, even for a guy like me that mostly prefers wood drums.

[@jemmace2586]

@@malonedrum definitely have a great tone, somewhere between a maple and bronze sound. What's not to like. I've had discussions with other drummers about Acrolites and the Supra sound and build specs, it's surprising to me that there are some terrible snobs out there. The fact that Ludwig's supra's and acro's are the most recorded snare drum sound, ever! And used by some of the greatest drummers and producers again, ever! I think the snobs get hung up on all of the new materials out there now, carbon fibre, titanium and even concrete of all materials! Anyway, I know what I like and that's a affordable and reliable way of achieving a good recording and the confidence that is gained from the near field sound, they're unbelievable drums, considering, again the value. Cheers again 👍

[@robwestndrumr7648]

Cool vid. I picked up a mint 90s blackro with the p88 n butt done already, $220. I feel like i got great deal. Love it.

[@malonedrum]

That feels like a good deal.

[@frankspikes7858]

I had an acrolite for a few years. Picked it up for 60 dollars at main streets music in tracy CA. Great sounding, multi use snare. Even came with the plastic half round shell case. Loved the "puke green" on your first project. Very unique!!

[@malonedrum]

Puke green is far in the past!

[@besenkopf77]

Excellent video, as always!

[@malonedrum]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikezisk5009]

Very nice!

[@malonedrum]

Thanks!

[@JulianFernandez]

cool project!

[@malonedrum]

Thanks!

[@tonydeaugustine588]

Great job. Yes that drum is a perfect addition I also have the galaxy version and it is still like new. I bought dunnett Rl4 throw for that snare but never put it on. The p85 still works well. Someday….😂

[@malonedrum]

I’d trust anything with the Dunnett name on it!

[@timm1139]

My first Acrolite is a 1971 with the grey finish that I won’t on an EBay auction for less than $25. The only thing wrong with it was that the tension knob was bent. Best drum purchase I ever made.

[@malonedrum]

That's a great deal! When was it?

[@timm1139]

@@malonedrum Thanks. I think that was about 13 years ago. My most recent one is an 80's? "Blackrolite" that only needs a new set of heads for $130 off of Reverb a couple of months ago.

[@jorymil]

Whoa! Someone else has tapped a P88! I did this with my old 14x10 marching snare/SNOM conversion. If you don't care about 8-32 screws, an M4 tap works even better with no drilling needed.

[@malonedrum]

Hmmm, so you just used the preexisting holes?

[@jorymil]

@@malonedrum Exactly. Lots of tap lubricant and went very slowly in case the diameters didn't work out. I'm sure that if I were a professional repair person, I'd have an 8-32 tap, a #29 bit, and use the included Ludwig screws. As it stands, M4 is just that little bit narrower, so it works out.

[@MM-ig1iv]

I love it, sounds killer. I just ordered the same exact drum for $125. supposed to be in very good condish? but if it needs an overhaul.. I'll probably do the same thing you did. That sounds perfect in all tunings. tight!

[@malonedrum]

I'd highly recommend it!

[@markwiitanen8949]

sounds great mike. i sold off my Blackrolite, now i may want to find another one. :)

[@malonedrum]

You should!

[@editbyStar]

Beautiful! You have to like that Blackrolite with all those updates. About the songs: #1 Satisfaction #2 Smell like teen spirits #3 & #4 sounds eally familiar but can't gess them

[@malonedrum]

You got #2

[@dye182]

Black chrome tube lugs would look killer on this and take some black circuit vinyl and cut strips and do inlays in the hoops.

[@malonedrum]

Sure would, although the price of tube lugs deterred me from messing around with it.

[@leorleorleor111]

Awesome! I'm totally going to do this now. Which drill bit did you use to wide the holes on the shell?

[@malonedrum]

I have a set and just creep my way up to a size that works, really can't remember the specific one.

[@1thess523]

I ordered the P85 because i didn't want to dish out the cash for the P88 but I think it would help with making the Snare really stand out when I tighten it up.

[@malonedrum]

I think so

[@SalMichael]

Really cool Mike . Which metal polish do you use? I love working on older drums as well.

[@malonedrum]

It really depends on the project, but honestly a lot of times I don’t even polish per see. But I like brasso, chrome auto polish, and turtle wax on drums from time to time.

[@SalMichael]

@malonedrum thanks Mike. I tried this stuff called cape cod they are treated pads ,took forever to get the film off a chrome plated snare.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

🤣 leave it Ludwig to put out a "student drum" that became a pro favorite. I love my Frankensteined 12 lug 6.5x14, but I was putzing around with my Supraphonic 6.5 on the shelf the other night, and I almost want to put her back on the church kit. Great snare.

[@malonedrum]

I know, they've done it time after time. Wonder if drummers are going to be raving about rockers down the road.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

@@malonedrum I've never heard, or heard _of_ that line, but I wouldn't be surprised. They do look a little low end, though 😂

[@maprow]

Hi Mike, I enjoyed the video and I'm a big fan of Acrolites and Supraphonics as well. Curious as to why you didn't just leave the original butt plate on the drum?

[@malonedrum]

That’s a great question, and if you saw my video fixing a whole lot of Ludwigs, I didn’t swap the butt plate, but since you have to buy the butt plate with the strainer, and it is more convenient with a drum key tightening mechanism, I wanted to use it here. And also, since my friend informed me of that hack for drilling new mounting holes, I wanted to try that as well.

[@leandrosinco]

Love a blackrolite. I want a 6.5 so bad.

[@malonedrum]

I believe those are quite rare, but I saw one on Reverb not too long ago.

[@madt0wn1]

Back in the early 00's, used Acrolites would come to the shop I worked at all the time for $25-50. We actually stopped taking them for a while. Kind of kicking myself for not buying them all and selling in the current market.

[@malonedrum]

It was a different time! Sometimes I wonder what is the thing drummers see as value-less now that in 40 years we'll be kicking ourselves for just throwing away.

[@macadoo2530]

@@malonedrum I'm thinking those early 2000's Mexican pdp kits are real sleepers personally.

[@jordanposnik6663]

2 princes!!!

[@malonedrum]

You know it.

[@ifount]

Any chance you can share what type of drill bits/tools you used. I’m trying to replicate this but am having trouble figuring out what to get exactly.

[@malonedrum]

It was years ago, so I really couldn't recall the exact size or brand, but I typically just use the screws as my guide for finding the right size.

[@1thess523]

That tuning at "name that tune 3" is what I like, I got my Blackrolite for $64. It's all trashed but it plays well, I just might paint it sparkle green 😉 (i actually like sparkle green)

[@malonedrum]

Speaking from experience, you may end up regretting that paint job.

[@1thess523]

@@malonedrum 😂, Sparkle is actually my favorite finish

[@ronaldzeoli7528]

Do you have a sound video of the wood hoop acrolite?

[@malonedrum]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGjFnpx8qNKrqMUsi=XcwDNEuEyVmusHfo&t=43

[@waskerbasket9601]

wish my music go round was like that

[@malonedrum]

They seem to be hit or miss.

[@elieberdy6581]

Hi- I am strongly considering purchasing an Acro lite / Acro black snare and making the same mods. Is it possible to list a step by step with the materials and tools needed maybe with some links and what was used for what as far as the tools go (to appropriately do the holes and mods correctly). I would hate to mess anything up.

[@malonedrum]

It’s all in the video I believe, and you can get a drill set with bit and threading tool!

[@elieberdy6581]

@@malonedrum you go a bit too quick even after watching the video a number of times. I was hoping you can provide the exact tools used with the sizes of them for the drill bit size and brand to make the holes bigger as well as the tool and size to create a newly threaded butt plate for the opposite throw off side. I don’t want to mess it up. Thanks. Even better if you can provide Amazon links of drill bit with appropriate size and tool to make appropriate sized threading as well as size of drill bit if different from the first drill bit to drill out the hole. Thanks so much. I really like your bideos

[@MattHoffmanMade]

Great video, Mike. Do you have a link to the nylon ribbon you use for your wires?

[@malonedrum]

I bought this spool like 10 years, and it's still lasting me, but basically any 5/8" crossgrain nylon ribbon is what you're looking for, but here's some links that help my channel! amzn.to/3TN07By Or just buy the Gibraltar style (already cut to size) sweetwater.sjv.io/c/5015118/937020/11319?prodsku=SCRST&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FSCRST--gibraltar-cloth-snare-mounting-tape&intsrc=APIG_7338

[@sweetfoampunishment3286]

Does anyone know if the screws that come with the throw off have inch or metric thread? Thx in advance!

[@malonedrum]

No idea.

[@zacklagana1351]

What drill bits and taps did you use for the butt plate retrofit?

[@malonedrum]

I believe it’s in the video the exact number/sizes you need!

[@ceilingphan8575]

everywhere i go i have seen some crazy prices for acrolites. idk how you do it in these videos. i have snagged a blackrolite once for $120 and that was like after a year of searching. Ill be hoenst i really went insane looking for one but i still want either the 60s or 70s model.

[@malonedrum]

I very regularly search sites like Craigslist and Marketplace, along with local shops. Always keeping an eye out for projects and good deals.

[@miyagawatsuyoshi3414]

良い音！！

[@malonedrum]

Thanks

[@RockerBug17]

I got mine for free when I was in high school. It was my first drum and it now sits in a closet 😂

[@malonedrum]

I think there are a lot of stories just like yours with these drums. Always makes me wonder what piece of gear we consider in todays market to be "throw away" will be prized to drummers 40 years from now.

[@nicklangmusic]

Tune 1: Superstition Tune 2: Smells Like Teen Spirit Tune 3: Two Princes Tune 4: Use Me

[@malonedrum]

We have a winner. You must just know well, because I sure didn't play them perfect.

[@Funkybassuk]

Ahhh - I missed Tune 3 but I know that tune! 😢 Well done!

[@mikej3888]

Tune #1- Superstition by Stevie Wonder. Thanks for the video!

[@malonedrum]

Nailed it!

[@tomkelsey2303]

I had one. Great snare, but sold it to thin the herd. And sounds like "Superstition." Played that one many times.

[@malonedrum]

Sorry to hear that

[@Luigi64]

that superstition pattern is so good

[@malonedrum]

Agreed, Stevie is such an underrated drummer.

[@thIDthIRreenactor]

Is tune#1 superstitions

[@malonedrum]

yup.

[@Funkybassuk]

Name that tune… 1. Superstition - Stevie Wonder 2. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana 3. ? 4. Use Me - Bill Withers

[@malonedrum]

3/3….. last one is a 90s jam

[@robthedrummer1]

I'd like for you to really wack that snare a few times to hear what it really sounds like! Hit them harder

[@malonedrum]

I mean, I feel like I laid in about as much as I would on some of the "name that tune" segments. Overall, when drums are being picked up by microphones, I think there's a volume threshold where you get a diminishing return by whacking harder. Not sure, I'm there on this specific video, but something I consider when playing under mics.

[@robthedrummer1]

@@malonedrum Thx for the reply,I still feel like you need to hit harder,like a rock drummer does,bring your arm up higher and put some power into it,hit it dead center then you'll get the full sound of what that drum sounds like!

[@malonedrum]

@@robthedrummer1 Rock on Rob.

[@KaiOwensDrums]

I don’t personally own one yet. They seem to have a strange almost gated sound

[@malonedrum]

Internal muffler maybe?

[@KaiOwensDrums]

@@malonedrum yeah it’s pretty cool! No hate on the sound it’s just interesting

[@jimmyjames7809]

4:09 Butt plate solution

[@malonedrum]

Definitely an awesome solution to a consistent problem I've had with these mounts.

[@jimmyjames7809]

Thanks Mike! I replaced my throw off with the p88 and was so disappointed when the butt plate would not fit because the holes don't line up. Now we have a solution and I am very grateful! 🥁

[@NEALBABBITT]

I still prefer the P-85 to the P-88 variants.

[@malonedrum]

I have some to sell you then!

[@NEALBABBITT]

@@malonedrum if you tie them a certain way there's no problem.

[@NEALBABBITT]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZiUZ5SLZqmnnbc

[@malonedrum]

@@NEALBABBITT I'm gad to hear you've enjoyed yours!

[@MikeFortnerDrums]

#1 Superstition, #2 Smells like teen spirit, #3 Twin Princes

[@malonedrum]

Aside from exchanging Twin for Two, perfect

[@evannewell7985]

# 1 Superstition #2 Smells Like Teen Spirit #3 ??? #4 Use Me

[@malonedrum]

Two Princes! Otherwise nice work.

[@evannewell7985]

Oh I should have gotten that!

[@vishnunath1524]

Tune 1: superstition

[@malonedrum]

Nailed it!

[@jonathanwise47]

Superstitious

[@malonedrum]

Very Supersitious….

[@tommymc091]

Very superstitious....

[@malonedrum]

Ding ding!

[@foxxzenetic]

Superstition!

[@malonedrum]

Got it!

[@foxxzenetic]

@@malonedrum Arigatou! ...from Japan.