Good Deal on Vintage Ludwigs?

[Velimor]

I came across someone selling a set of Keystone badge Ludwigs today for $650. The snare is metal and has 10 lugs, baseball bat thing, and red muffler- does that mean its a supraphonic or could it be an acrolite as well? The serial began with 101, but I didn't get the last numbers. The rest of the drums were around 107xxx. He said that they had been covered in a black wrap, some of which he pealed back. He said there was a yellowish-green sparkle underneath. Also, the inside of the toms had been painted black, not sure about the bass drum. Does this affect the sound in any way? I might be interested in finishing it myself, so I don't care too much about collectability or resale value.

I really know almost nothing about vintage drums, so if someone could tell me if this a good deal, I'd be most appreciative. Is there a way to tell if these are hi-end or beginner quality?

[Jusstickinaround]

The snare sounds like a supraphonic, as far as I know Ludwig did not have any low end kits back in the sixties, not with the keystone badge anyway. Do you have any pictures? The black paint on the inside should not effect the sound, but why would anyone paint the inside black? It boggles the mind. Those 3 ply shells sound great, and if the wrap under the outer wrap is in good shape then it might be worth it although I would offer him less.What sizes are the drums? How many drums? Try to post some pictures so we can see what you're dealing with.

[Velimor]

http://images.craigslist.org/010207010311010410200706181184db24d422a5c06e006ae4 .jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/01010401020101040620070618a6d0d7572048aab3f2004a42 .jpg

These are the only two pictures he has and he says he's not able to get any more. He didn't know what sizes the drums are, but its a 5 piece. He's not really a drummer, just got them to mess around on.

Juststickingaround - How much would you offer (given the little info you know)?

[fusssion]

They would be from 1964 more than likley....serial numbers w/ red felt would be the clue.
Yes, sounds like a surpaphonic .....tough call.....as far as I'm concerned, he ruined them w/the black inside paint and the re-wrap (whether he did them or not) ....it's not worth 650 though .......what hardware???

it all depends........

[Velimor]

It comes with hats, ride, and crash, all with stands and all Sabian B8's I think. He had a neighbor look at it and he said the stands were from the 70's.

Is there some way I could get rid of the black on the inside? And what are the chances I can salvage the wrap underneath? Any idea what I should offer?

[harryconway]

I came across someone selling a set of Keystone badge Ludwigs today for $650......I might be interested in finishing it myself, so I don't care too much about collectability or resale value.

I really know almost nothing about vintage drums, so if someone could tell me if this a good deal

If you want a players kit, there's plenty of ways to go. Once you take the black wrap off the original, who knows what you'll find. Sometimes people re-wrap drums just to change color, other times the re-wrap is hiding minor or major flaws. You'll only know once you "dig in". As far as the paint inside the drums, run non-clear heads on the kit and no one will see it. Hardware alone on the kit is worth something. All the T's and claws, lugs, hoops, leg and tom mounts. But only if you're "that kinda guy". Guitar Center is blowin' out the old Pearl Export kits for $399. Certainly, I'd rather have a beater "vintage" Ludwig kit over a Pearl Export.

[Jusstickinaround]

I would offer him $400 for everything.

[fourstringdrums]

I'd check around on Ebay personally just for the fact that while $650 could be a good deal on these drums, he gave you some really lousy pictures. There could be more cosmetic problems than he is telling you about, and you can't really have a good view of the drums anyway.

The black paint may or may not affect the sound. Gretsch uses the famous "silver sealer" paint on the inside of their Renown and USA drums as supposively it reflects the sound differently inside the drum. The black paint could have a similar effect, but it could be a effect, or a good one.

[Velimor]

Well, I'm going to check them out tomorrow night.

I know next to nothing about paint, but I assume there would be a way to remove it if I desired without ruining the drum?

[Velimor]

Just to update everyone (not that you care), I took a pass on the drums. He told me that the 12" tom had no badge, but when I looked at it, it had a completely different muffler and didn't have the baseball bat. At least two of the drums had some ply separation going on at the bearing edge. There were some holes drilled partway through some of the drums, etc. The heads were so crappy that you couldn't even tell what the drums sounded like.

I did make him an offer on the snare, though, which only had some minor pitting. If he isn't able to sell the whole kit, he'll give me a call.