Another Ludwig Question

[Chunkaway]

I'm looking at picking up a new Ludwig Classic Maple kit, but I have a couple of questions, so I'm hoping someone on this forum can help.

I don't live near a Ludwig dealer, so I can't actually play a Ludwig, although I have played them several times in the past. Does anyone have any comments about how the Ludwigs sound compared to other kits? I have a Pork Pie kit right now, so that is what I'm going off of. (I'm a long time Ludwig fan, so this kit has an emotional attachment for me, but I'm curious as to what people have to say about their sound.)

Does anyone know if I can get the bass drum hoops with an inlay? I'm looking at getting the kit in a gold sparkle wrap, and I'd like the bass drum hoops to have a gold sparkle inlay, if at all possible.

Anybody have any comments about the bass drum spurs? It looks like I can get the curved spurs, the new "modern" spurs or the old 60s looking spurs. Anyone have any ideas about function, form, etc...?

Thanks!

[Porker69]

Ok just to let you know I will be slightly biased towards Ludwig because every drummer in my family has played them going back to my grand dad.

I own some vintage Luddies so I cant really speak for the classic maples now a days since I dont play one regularly except they were my favorite sounding kits when I played them at guitar center. They will sound more vintage than modern though.

You can get the vintage style inlay with the black painted hoops, look at the green and purple sparkle Ludwig Bonham kits that are on the forum here.

Ludwig lets you choose between a few different types of spurs. The elite spurs seem fine but it your going for the look the curved ones should be sturdy enough as well. I like the curved ones because they hide away in the drum.

According some people their hardware isn't as as high quality, but If their good enough for Alex Van Halen...

I think you should definately be satisfied especially if you have a fondness for the company. Plus they sell for pretty good prices compared to some of the more popular companies.

[Jusstickinaround]

I also have a vintage Ludwig kit with the six ply maple shells, the kit sounds great. Maybe you should think about buying a vintage kit, look up a music store called Rockin Robin in Houston, Tx., they have tons of vintage Ludwigs, or look on ebay. Just a thought.

[cjl71178]

Hey Chunkaway!

Ludwig has come a long way in the recent years. I know for a while, they had problems and they kind of fell out of the limelight as far as a good drum company. But they've come full circle nowadays and it seems a lot more drummers are playing Ludwigs.

I own both a classic maple and classic birch kit, and I couldn't be more happy. Unfortunately, I really would love to own a set of vintage Lud's someday.

If you have a chance, check out both of my kits posted here on DW (in my signature block).

To answer your questions:

Yes, you can get bass hoop inlays as well as the curved spurs because I have both of them on my maple kit. I'm not 100% sure, but there may be an upcharge for the curved spurs. And the curved spurs are only available on bass drums 22" or bigger.

Click here (http://www.ludwig-drums.com/content/guides.php?css=) to check out their classic maple order form.

I do have the elite spurs on my birch kit and they're nice too. For someone who is gigging a lot, I'd recommend the elite spurs just because of setting up and tearing down. However, the Ludwig bass drum looks cooler with the curved spurs!

Where are you from since you said you don't have a Ludwig dealer nearby?

Best of luck to you...hopefully soon...fellow "Ludwiger".

[OldHippy]

I have the gold sparkle set and it is beautiful. Those are not true inlays on the hoops- they are just strips of wrap glued on top, but from a couple of feet away you won't know the difference.

My kit is all mixed up. Bass, tom, and floor tom are classic maple, snare is supraphonic, and the hardware is a collection of DW and Pearl. It wasn't planned that way but I upgraded my beginners kit one piece at a time.

[Chunkaway]

I also have a vintage Ludwig kit with the six ply maple shells, the kit sounds great. Maybe you should think about buying a vintage kit, look up a music store called Rockin Robin in Houston, Tx., they have tons of vintage Ludwigs, or look on ebay. Just a thought.

I will say I LOVE vintage Ludwig kits! I used to own a 1967 blue sparkle in jazz sizes! Oh, how I regret selling that kit. The problem with me buying a vintage kit is it is almost impossible to find a gold sparkle vintage kit in the sizes I'm looking for.

[cjl71178]

I have the gold sparkle set and it is beautiful. Those are not true inlays on the hoops- they are just strips of wrap glued on top, but from a couple of feet away you won't know the difference.


Really? They must have changed that in the past 2-3 years because my Ludwig maple kick has hoop inlays.

[cjl71178]

I had to go back and look at your kit again OldHippy. :)