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| Ludwig Acrolite with P88AC Strainer |
I have a 1976-1977 Ludwig Blue & Olive badge Acrolite snare that I bought with a bent P85 strainer adjustment. I had a hard time turning the knob to adjust the snare wire tension and wasn’t getting the full range of snare tension adjustment. I would have to lift up the handle before engaging the snare. The experience felt off to me for a snare with such a great reputation. I thought I had gotten a dud until I read about other users’ experiences. It was the first drum that I had bought and I had no idea how to maintain it.
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| P88AC (top) and P85 (bottom) Front View. The bend of the P85 is visible. |
The P85 knob was bent, and difficult to turn. The P88AC is much more smooth in use, although the original P85 is 40+ years old at this point. Time will tell how it holds up. The P88AC's knob is detented, which I like. Like other users, I can only adjust the tension while disengaged.
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| P88AC and P85 Rear View |
The P88AC allows me to use snare wires with straps, although I am reusing the cord-tied Gibraltar SC-4467 20 strand snare wires that I previously used with the P85.
I knew going in that I would have trouble installing the butt plate, but the holes did not even appear to line up on my snare. The stock butt plate works well, and I am not concerned about the mismatched aesthetics.
Edit - 08/18/22 - I bought a B-Stock Ludwig Supraphonic snare and it came with the P88AC already installed. No need to upgrade.
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| Ludwig Supraphonic with P88AC throw off. |
