11 piece Ludwig kit?

[KONA]

I was in a local drum shop today and they're selling a used Ludwig kit. It's an eleven drum kit with what looks like a steel-like silver shiny finish over some kind of wood ply. It's a single bass with a couple of huge floor toms and lots of other toms and snare. They're asking $1,500 for the drums and they even with throw in hardware. I never really had a good look at the whole kit - it was stacked up on a display.
I started to think about it after I left the store. It sounds like a good deal I guess.

Does anyone know anything about what model of Lugdwigs they might be? I don't know much about Ludies.

Thoughts?

[harryconway]

Sounds like chrome-o-wood finish.

[KONA]

Sounds like chrome-o-wood finish.

Thanks.

I searched around and located some photos of Ludies with chrome-o-wood finish. That's what the 11 pc kit is alright. I had a close look at the finish on these drums and they were scratched a lot. I'm thinking the finish doesn't hold up too well - either that or the drums have been knocked around a lot. But, $1,500 seems like a good deal for all these drums.

[ludwigvondrumcrazy]

Kona, as Harry so accurately stated and you have since confirmed the finish could only have be Ludwig’s “Chrome-o-Wood.” You are absolutely correct that it wasn’t the most durable finish offered, being quite prone to scratching & scuffing………..

Not knowing more about the Outfit in question it’s hard to say if that’s a fair asking price or not, which all depends on what line it is, Ludwig’s 6-ply (Maple / Poplar), or the Rocker / Rocker II Series. The main things to look for are what type of Badges it has, Blue & Olive or Black & White parallelogram, the number of Lugs on the Bass(s) and if only eight Lugs per side what type of Spurs do they have. A couple of other things to look for is the type of Bass Hoops, are they metal or wood? If wood do they have inlays?? What type of interior finish do they have, clear lacquer or painted??

Below is the Rock Power Outfit as shown in the 1978 Catalog. Note 10 Lugs per side on the Bass Drums & the Inlays in the Hoops, both characteristics that a “high end” Kit should have, this, as well as clear lacquer interiors……..

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL770/2917504/19049440/304098420.jpg

Below is a mid-80’s Rocker Outfit that has been on the local market for almost a year now with an asking price of $700, which has had many lookers but no buyers. The main drawbacks with this Kit are the fact that they are Rocker’s, the excessive scuffing to the finish and the fact that the Snare is an entry level TKO / CB type. Note the Black & White Badges and that the Bass Drums only have eight Lugs per side as well as metal Hoops…...

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL770/2917504/19049440/304098309.jpg

While eBay has leveled the playing field somewhat the local markets since dictate what something is worth so you would be in a far better position to know if they are worth the asking price than others elsewhere. With that said, my advice to you, without seeing them, is that if they are Rockers, or Rocker II’s, $1500 would be pushing it even though it is an eleven piece Outfit, which could possibly be turned into two separate Kit’s. The only thing that could really affect this advice is if a Supra Phonic, or some other desirable Snare, is part of the deal………..

LVDC

[harryconway]

Chrome-o-wood wraps are the worst to deal with. Not only is it a real metal sheet (cut your hands) over wood, it's riveted to the shell. As much fun as working with barbed wire. Most shells I've seen bought or sold (because of scratches, dents, etc.) went for the sum of their usable parts only. Lugs, T's & claws, hoops, etc.

[Pontiadict]

I have an original COW set from 1979 and there are no rivets anywhere on this set.I think the Rivets method of securing the wrap was started sometime in the early 80's and was not exclusive to Chrome-O- Wood wraps,as I've seen it used on an assortment of other wraps of the period.
John

[ludwigvondrumcrazy]

I have an original COW set from 1979 and there are no rivets anywhere on this set.I think the Rivets method of securing the wrap was started sometime in the early 80's and was not exclusive to Chrome-O- Wood wraps,as I've seen it used on an assortment of other wraps of the period.
John

You are correct John, I've heard a couple of reasons why Ludwig had to rivet their wraps for awhile, one had to do with a new type of glue that they were forced to use due to new EPA Regulations that wasn't up to the job of securing the wrap.
Another version, one that I tend to believe, was that they were getting their wraps from a new Supplier, I heard from Italy, that exhibited excessive shrinkage when compared to the wraps from their previous Supplier(s) and it was pulling loose at the seams, as well as splitting, as a result. I've seen a few different riveted wraps, including White & Red Cortex as well as White Marine Pearl................

LVDC