Leedy & Ludwig Revisited
While I was working on my second book, I regularly ran into material on the theoretical third life of Leedy Manufacturing. Leedy Indianapolis was first, Leedy Elkhart was second, and then Leedy and it's sister company from 1930, Ludwig & Ludwig, were merged by Conn in 1950.
Leedy & Ludwig had about a four year life span. In 1954, Conn decided to sell the two names and their respective patents and copyrights to the highest bidder(s).
The eventual disposition of the companies to Slinglerand and WFL respectively, is well known. But for four years the employees of CG Conn Ltd., dedicated to drum building, continued the fine traditions of the two former competitors who became divisions of Conn in 1929 and 1930.
Check out our other story on Knob Tension Drums. For now, let us celebrate the high end L & L drums that carried Leedy hardware and the lower cost drums with Ludwig lugs.
Catalog 53's price list of May 4, 1953, which is probably the last price list, had 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 Broadway snares in pearl and chrome for $75.00 and complete 24/13/16 with a 6 1/2 Broadway and all stands for just $400!
Oh to have a time machine.
If you'd like to learn more about Leedy & Ludwig and other vintage drums, then I invite you to order my book from Modern Drummer, The Great American Drums. |
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