My ever-growing Ludwig classic maple kit

[RogerLudwig]

So last May I sold the Rogers Londoner kit I bought in 1973 and decided to order a new set from Ludwig. Ontario Music isn't too far away and it turns out that the owner, Todd Trent, was Ludwig's artist rep for years. I visited the shop and they have a couple of Ringo's snares, and one kit each from Bun E. Carlos and AVH. Cool stuff...and they really know Ludwig.

I started with the 8x12 rack; 14x14 and 16x16 floor toms, and a 14x 22 kick, along with a matching maple snare (5x14). I ordered it in July and it arrived in October. In between they got an LM400KT, so I got that, too.

Then in December I ordered a 9x13, which arrived in less than three weeks. Last Friday I ordered another maple snare, this time a 6.5x14 with mini-classic lugs and the Millenium strainer.

Finally, I hope to add a 14 x 20 kick in the next few months. Then I can configure a couple of different 1up/1down and 1up/2down kits with different snares. I don' t like to have two rack toms, so I can switch between the 12 and 13 depending on the venue.

And for the complete gear head, here are the specs:

Drums-Ludwig Classic Maple; 2008 catalog

Kick Drum LB842 14” x 22”
w/10.5mm Elite tom holder assembly; classic lugs; T-handle tension rods; heavy duty disappearing curved spurs

Floor Tom LF844 14” x 14” WMP
w/ 10.5mm Elite tom legs; classic lugs

Floor Tom LF866 16” x 16” WMP
w/ 10.5mm Elite tom legs; classic lugs

Rack Tom LT893 9” x 13” WMP
w/ Vibraband w/P7185AP Elite MT; classic lugs

Rack Tom LT882 8” x 12” WMP
w/ vibraband w/p7185AP Elite MT; mini-classic lugs

Snare LS401TM 5” x 14” WMP
W/ tone control; die cast hoops; tube lugs; Millennium strainer; P-33 butt plate

Snare LM400KT(M) 5” x 14” Ludalloy
Hand hammered; tube lugs; 2.3mm triple flanged hoops; Millennium strainer; P-33 butt plate

Hardware-
• LM926CS x 2 -straight modular cymbal stands
• LM936MBS x 3 -modular boom cymbal stands
• LM917HH -swivel base hi hat stand
• LM922SSL -modular snare stand; low
• LM815FPR -foot pedal with rock plate®
• LM446TH -modular throne
• LM474CBH – Add-on cowbell holder; attaches to bass hoop
• LR257TH – Elite single tom add-on holder with 10.5mm L-arm/ball
• LR2991MT – Classic Single tom holder; 10.5mm
• LR2992MT – Classic Double tom holder; 10.5mm

Cymbals-
• Avedis Zildjian
12” A Custom Splash (PT)
• Armand Zildjian
14” Armand Hi Hats (MT/M)
20” Armand Ride (MT)
19” Armand Ride w/ 3-rivets (MT)
18” Armand Thin Crash (T)
16” Armand Medium Thin Crash (MT)
10” Armand Splash (PT)

Accessories:
• Latin Percussion brand; Black Beauty Sr.® Cowbell LP228
• Claves; Ludwig; model LE2368
• Maracas; Ludwig; model LE2365
• Guiro; Ludwig; model LE2367
• Timpani mallets; Ludwig (Payson); model L305
• Wire brushes; Ludwig; model L194


the really neat thing about all this is that the money I got for the Rogers kit, including the matching maple Dyna-sonic, paid for all of the new Ludwig stuff.

[jayp]

Oh man, I am super excited for you, I have a ludwig classic maple in bop sizes and I know how happy I was when I got them, the sound of these drums compairs to none!

Congrats and hopefully you'll have these around to treasure for a long time.

Peace!

[Cast]

My dear Lord that white marine pearl is amazing. I might have just changed my mind from getting a blue oyster pearl to this white. Its just classy. A random question but do they age well? Hear that some white can slowly turn yellow or something. An amazing set congrats!

[trkdrmr]

Pure class!

With the Armands + WMP+ Ludwig it looks like the 60's has forged your kit. I always thought Luddies curved spurs looked cool!

That 1st outdoor shot looks like it belongs on a Calendar!

When I get the ambition, I am going to make myself a wall calender with a different kit each month.

[Mendozart]

That's such a classy looking kit, and in great sizes too! It looks like you've made some very good decisions on a great kit, congrats.

[PaiceFan]

That is one sweet lookin kit. Just really tasteful. very nice choices.

[baz]

...Roger.

Check your family tree, as I think we must be related.

Great set ups you have there, and even though mine are very similar I still feel a twinge of envy.

your cousin barry.

[drumhedd]

beautiful! diggin' the classic lugs and WMP!

[Nickkk]

..that kit actually makes me angry its so nice. nice work RogerLudwig. very impressive! and i thought i liked my luddies!

[fusssion]

There is SOMETHING about the way a Ludwig kit looks,....it's just soooo .....classy!

Also, no offense, but the tube lugs just don't look right to me w/ the Ludwig classic lugs (in combination) I don't know what it is, but for me it doesn't look right..

Now...would I take your kit!! HELL YES :) !!!

[Whitedrummer]

One of nicest looking kits I've seen on here, very classy.

[RogerLudwig]

There is SOMETHING about the way a Ludwig kit looks,....it's just soooo .....classy!

Also, no offense, but the tube lugs just don't look right to me w/ the Ludwig classic lugs (in combination) I don't know what it is, but for me it doesn't look right..

Now...would I take your kit!! HELL YES :) !!!

Thanks to all of you for your nice comments. I thought long and hard about lugs on the snare before I went with the tubes, but heck, I like 'em.

Last week I picked up a matching 6.5x16 LS403. I requested the mini-classic/ split lugs and was told that Ludwig no longer builds maple snares with the mini-classics. I could only select from tube and classic....so I went with the big 'o classic bowtie lugs. And it looks great. Particularly with the vintage look I was trying to get with the rest of the kit. I'll post some pics of it in a few days.

[RogerLudwig]

My dear Lord that white marine pearl is amazing. I might have just changed my mind from getting a blue oyster pearl to this white. Its just classy. A random question but do they age well? Hear that some white can slowly turn yellow or something. An amazing set congrats!

I had a set of Rogers WMP for 35 years and it did change color slightly. the key is to make sure your shells are all covered with plastic from the same run. I had a kit with three drums from the Covington factory and two from Fullerton. The Covingtons aged to have a real nice sort of greenish hue to it, but they looked beautiful. I think that is one of the beauties of WMP. However, the Fullertons never changed color over the entire 35 years that I owned them

the photo shows the two rack toms. The top one discolored (a Covington shell) and the bottom one didn't (Fullerton shell).

[zambizzi]

Man that's *shaaaaarrrp*! The look and sound of Ludwig drums are second-to-none. I don't know why...but I love 'em. Love the snares, too!

[The Big Beat]

Roger, nice set of luddies. I am loving all over that finish. They are absolutely beautiful man. Congrats.

[RogerLudwig]

The LS403WM arrived...nice drum, but I'm still a little ticked off that they wouldn't put mini-classic lugs on it. Oh well, it sure sounds good!

I've added a 9x13 and the 6.5x14 LS403 since the first pics. I'm sure glad everyone has enjoyed them..I know I do. Thanks for looking!

[Mendozart]

Damn Roger, your drums drip of pure class! The mini classics would have been so cool on that snare. There's a couple pics of my snare with the mini classic lugs in this thread.
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48355

[rmandelbaum]

Very cool and Todd is a great guy. He has been the Ludwig guy for years, he has worked with a ton of great Ludwig endorsees, ask him some time ;-)

And I miss Ca, have a Double double for me will ya?

[baldmann]

Beautjful set. WMP is just such a classic finish. I have a classic maple set also. They sound fantastic, best value drums going around IMHO.

[RogerLudwig]

Very cool and Todd is a great guy. He has been the Ludwig guy for years, he has worked with a ton of great Ludwig endorsees, ask him some time ;-)

And I miss Ca, have a Double double for me will ya?

In-and-Out....that's what a hamburgers all about! Hope things are okay it T

Todd is the reason I purchased my kit there..a really knowledgeable and nice guy.

[RogerLudwig]

Damn Roger, your drums drip of pure class! The mini classics would have been so cool on that snare. There's a couple pics of my snare with the mini classic lugs in this thread.
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48355

Todd, the owner of Ontario Music and former artists rep for Ludwig, told me last week that Conn-Selmer has a new president and that he mandated studies to cut costs without cutting jobs...sounds good. Since the mini-classic lugs take twice as long as the Classics (2 vs 4 holes) to install and aren't a very popular option, they decided to drop them on snares. Why they just don't charge more, like they did to put the tube lugs on the LS401, I'll never know.

Your snare is georgeous....and just the way I wanted mine!

Don't get me wrong...I like mine, alot, alot, alot.

[Mendozart]

Todd, the owner of Ontario Music and former artists rep for Ludwig, told me last week that Conn-Selmer has a new president and that he mandated studies to cut costs without cutting jobs...sounds good. Since the mini-classic lugs take twice as long as the Classics (2 vs 4 holes) to install and aren't a very popular option, they decided to drop them on snares. Why they just don't charge more, like they did to put the tube lugs on the LS401, I'll never know.

Your snare is georgeous....and just the way I wanted mine!

Don't get me wrong...I like mine, alot, alot, alot.

Like you said, it would have been a cool option, but that snare still looks awesome!

[RogerLudwig]

Well, its funny how life turns out sometimes. I ordered a new 20" kick drum to augment the rest of the ever-growing kit, and its been nine weeks tomorrow since I ordered it. Pictures of all the new stuff will follow. HOWEVER,

On another unmentioned forum, one of Ludwig's representatives has surfaced and is answering questions, dealing with rumors, and generally being a good citizen. I told him my story about the Classic vs. Mini-Classic lugs on the LS403 snare and he tells me there must be a misunderstanding?! He tells me that they are still installing mini-classic lugs as a no-additional-cost option. In fact, he just ordered a Ludwig CM kit for himself with an LS403 snare and mini-classic lugs.

I sent the email to Ontario Music (where I've been ordering all the Ludwig stuff displayed on this thread, and within five minutes they offered to order a new drum for me...just like the one I originally wanted....and they'll swap it out for the one I've been playing for six months. These guys, especially Todd Trent and Gil Cante, are really first class folks and I'm really glad that I order my stuff through them. I can't imagine the hoops that Guitar Center would make be jump through to get them to replace the snare.

Sometimes persistence pays off. Now I want to get them to sell memory locks for their top of the line hardware...they have them, they just don't sell them. More about that later

So, pictures when it arrives in a month or two.

[Cymbalrider]

The Krupa kit will never get old. I want one for myself and Ludwig is always a favorite of mine.

[Ashton Drum's]

I just jizzed in my pants such a nice kit

[White Rabbbit]

What kind of heads are you using on those? They're beautiful and I'm sure they sound fantastic.

[RogerLudwig]

What kind of heads are you using on those? They're beautiful and I'm sure they sound fantastic.

The batterheads on the toms and snares are Remo Vintage A's and the reso heads are Ludwig clear mediums on the toms. A ludwig snare side on the snare. I use an Evans Emad2 batter and a Remo Fiberskyn3/Powerstroke3 reso on the kick when I'm playing with an acoustic group and a Ludwig clear Powercollar batter with a Ludwig smooth white Vintage head on the reso side (w.4" port and a felt strip) when I'm electric.

I am looking to substitue the newer Ludwig smooth white Vintage with power collar on the reso side for the electric set-up so I don't have to use the felt...or maybe even the port.

[White Rabbbit]

The batterheads on the toms and snares are Remo Vintage A's and the reso heads are Ludwig clear mediums on the toms. A ludwig snare side on the snare. I use an Evans Emad2 batter and a Remo Fiberskyn3/Powerstroke3 reso on the kick when I'm playing with an acoustic group and a Ludwig clear Powercollar batter with a Ludwig smooth white Vintage head on the reso side (w.4" port and a felt strip) when I'm electric.

I am looking to substitue the newer Ludwig smooth white Vintage with power collar on the reso side for the electric set-up so I don't have to use the felt...or maybe even the port.

Are you finding any QC issues with the Vintage A's? I was intrigued by the idea of it but I wasn't sure how they sounded.

Also, what type of hardware do you use for your floor tom legs and tom mount? I'm on the fence about the Elite tom hardware or the standard Ludwig LC5023TL stuff. Trying to find the option that looks the most basic (probably vintage).

[RogerLudwig]

Are you finding any QC issues with the Vintage A's? I was intrigued by the idea of it but I wasn't sure how they sounded.

Also, what type of hardware do you use for your floor tom legs and tom mount? I'm on the fence about the Elite tom hardware or the standard Ludwig LC5023TL stuff. Trying to find the option that looks the most basic (probably vintage).

I haven't had any problems with the Vintage A's. The drums came with Ludwig medium coated heads, which I think are kind of like Ambassadors, and I used those for a while. By comparison, the Vintage A's are just slightly muffled, and I mean very slightly, but enough to take any annoying ring of really high frequency from the toms. I use Evans E-rings on the toms when I play accoustic and they muffle the sound quite well. When playing electric I play them wide open.

I ordered the elite leg brackets and the elite tom mount with vibrabands. I like the look...check it out in the photos of the original post, and there are more on my page here at DW. the Elite 10.5 mm tom mount looks remarkably similar to the Classic 9.5 mm. The double tom mount does not.

I like the Elite hardware because I think they are better designed and more secure than the Classic 9.5 mm leg brackets and tom mounts. And I have the curved spur on the 22" kick, but I am waiting for a 20" that I ordered and it had to come with the Elite spurs...only drums 22" and larger can get the heavy duty curved spurs.

[Drums_a_Dream]

Hey man ... nice kit, i have a ludwig cs custom elite power ... bytheway where are made from urs? mine are from china so i just wondering...

[RogerLudwig]

Hey man ... nice kit, i have a ludwig cs custom elite power ... bytheway where are made from urs? mine are from china so i just wondering...

Hecho en los estados unidos amigo. Yo he estado trabajando en la costa norte, en Pacasmayo, hace doce anos. Soy arqueologo y mi especialidad es Chimu y Lambayeque. Tengo muchos amigos a PUCP tambien.

Where in Lima do you live..I have friends in Mira Flores, Surco, Pueblo Libre, and near the INC Museum.

Your kit sounds very nice kit...post some pictures.

abrazos,

[Mendozart]

I sent the email to Ontario Music (where I've been ordering all the Ludwig stuff displayed on this thread, and within five minutes they offered to order a new drum for me...just like the one I originally wanted....and they'll swap it out for the one I've been playing for six months. These guys, especially Todd Trent and Gil Cante, are really first class folks and I'm really glad that I order my stuff through them.

This is great news Roger! Todd Trent is definitely the man. Can't wait to see the pics.

[RogerLudwig]

Well, the new snare, kick drum, and 800 series hardware arrived Thursday. When I went to pick them up I just had to order a new brass Supraphonic, hammered, tube lugs, millenium strainer. I'll post pics when it arrives. Meanwhile, I now have two four piece kits or one 7-piece...I set it up as the 7-piece just to see what it looks like. I either play a 4-piece or the five-piece way down in post #1

The new 6.5 x 14 maple snare is a killer, and the 14 x 20 kick is like a cannon; I love it with the heads it has on it. I only had to add a felt strip.

The 100 year anniversary badge is great looking IMO.



Enjoy

[Mendozart]

Hey Roger,
The new additions look fantastic! I really love the color and sizes of this kit. You should be able to cover any gig with these drums. So, what's next? ;-)

[RodneyZepa]

Hello...My 1st post on Drummerworld...Currently, I'm using a Gretsch Slate Silver Sparkle Renown Maple Kit:

- 20x22 Kick 9x12 Rack (In snare stand) 16x16 Floor 6.5x14 Matching Snare

- DW 5000 Pedal Gibraltar 600 Series Hi-Hat & Stands

- 17" Sabian B8 (Bottom) 17" Zildjian ZBT (Top) Hi-Hat combination

- 20" Zidjian ZBT Ride 20" Meinl Heavy Ride w/ Chain for sizzle 18" Paiste Alpha Crash

- Remo Fibreskyn Snare Evans G Plus on Toms Evans EMAD Kick (Batters)

Kit sounds great...All of these drums have excellent tone...I am in process of ordering a Ludwig Classic Maple Kit - Power 4 configuration with 1 add on:


18x24 Kick 11x13 Rack 16x16 Floor 8x14 Matching Snare 14x14 Floor (Add on)

I'm asking for a 16x26 kick instead...Do you know if this is a problem for them ? Not terrible big deal if I can't swap kicks but I would like 16x26...Going to go with Vintage Black Oyster Pearl wrap...Any comments on these drums, wrap ? Cymbals...I'd like to outfit with Constaninipole (Whatever) for most part or Paiste 2002...Anyone interested in trades for Z or Paiste cymbals for Gretsch Kit and/or Cymbals I've listed plus others ? (Dano & Fender Squire guitars, Congas as well)...Lots to talk about...Lots of questions for fellow Drummers...Thanks and Peace Ya'll...RS...

[wy yung]

WOW! That is a gorgeous kit/kits.

I was looking over my Ludwig catalog over the weekend and have been thinking about getting a Ringo kit. We had one in arctic glitter finish some time ago and it was simply beautiful.

[RogerLudwig]

Hey Roger,
The new additions look fantastic! I really love the color and sizes of this kit. You should be able to cover any gig with these drums. So, what's next? ;-)

Hey, were you the guy selling the green Blaemire Fiberglass tee shirts last weekend at the Hollywood Drum Show?

Anyway, here is the latest addition, a LB442KTWM , now I have a maple and a metal snare for each four piece kit.....its all about having choices. I've since swaped the die cast hoops from the Classic Maple for the triple flanged on the 442 and I like 'em both a lot better.

Cheers....

[Mendozart]

Hey, were you the guy selling the green Blaemire Fiberglass tee shirts last weekend at the Hollywood Drum Show?

Anyway, here is the latest addition, a LB442KTWM , now I have a maple and a metal snare for each four piece kit.....its all about having choices. I've since swaped the die cast hoops from the Classic Maple for the triple flanged on the 442 and I like 'em both a lot better.

Cheers....

That was Jerry (Drumjinx), but I was helping him at the booth. BTW, that's a great drum you picked up.

[RogerLudwig]

That was Jerry (Drumjinx), but I was helping him at the booth. BTW, that's a great drum you picked up.

I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself, but it was almost impossible to talk over the drums anyway.

Cheers,

[volvoguy]

Neat!

For the Ludwig addicts (like myself), it's handy to see all of the specs! What heads are you using on the toms? Vintage A's over ?

How do you like the throne?

Thanks again for the pics! This thread is always handy when I need a "fix". :-)

-Ryan

[RogerLudwig]

Neat!

For the Ludwig addicts (like myself), it's handy to see all of the specs! What heads are you using on the toms? Vintage A's over ?

How do you like the throne?

Thanks again for the pics! This thread is always handy when I need a "fix". :-)

-Ryan

Thanks, Ryan,

I use Remo Vintage As on the batter heads and Ludwig clear mediums on the reso heads on the 13/16, while the 22 has a Ludwig clear power collar batter and a Ludwig smooth vintage logo head on the reso (with a 4 inch port). This is the classic rock kit.

I just changed the heads on the 12 and 14 yesterday to Remo Fiberskyn Diplomats on the batter and Ambassador coated on the reso heads. the 20 kick has a Remo Powerstroke 3 coated batter head and a Ludwig vintage smooth white with power collar. I'm using this kit for accoustic jazz and I'm still trying to find the sound I like, hence the new heads on the TTs.
the snares:

LS401: Vintage A Ambassador
LS403: Ludwig medium coated
LM400: Vintage A Ambassador
LB442: Ludwig medium coated

all of the snares have the stock Ludwig snare side head


Finally, I have a bony ass and the throne is really comfortable. We practice every Sunday from 2-8 PM and I walk away feeling pretty good. However, I gave up a throne from the early 60s when I acquired this one, so anything would have been a great improvement.

[volvoguy]

Thanks for the info!

Having all of these part numbers makes this thread a real handy reference for a fellow Ludwig junkie!. We may be the only two "all Ludwig stuff" people on the forum. :)

I've been using coated Emps over coated Ambs on my new Element kit. A little bit too heavy, I think. The Vintage A's should be a nice compromise, I hope. I'm also using the smooth medium Weathermaster's on the reso side of my toms.

How do you like the Ludwig Power Collar on the bass drum batter? How does it compare to the PS3?

Thanks!
-Ryan

[RogerLudwig]

Thanks for the info!

Having all of these part numbers makes this thread a real handy reference for a fellow Ludwig junkie!. We may be the only two "all Ludwig stuff" people on the forum. :)

I've been using coated Emps over coated Ambs on my new Element kit. A little bit too heavy, I think. The Vintage A's should be a nice compromise, I hope. I'm also using the smooth medium Weathermaster's on the reso side of my toms.

How do you like the Ludwig Power Collar on the bass drum batter? How does it compare to the PS3?

Thanks!
-Ryan

Hi Ryan,

Yeah, I'm the kind of geek that needs everything to match right down to the drum keys. Its a sickness that I can't shake. I've always been this way

So, I like the PS3 coated better than the Ludwig clear power collar. I think it has to do with the coated vs clear; I'd order a Ludwig coated power collar without any hesitation.

[latzanimal]

Nice Drums!! What size Holz is that in the 22"?

[RogerLudwig]

Nice Drums!! What size Holz is that in the 22"?

Thanks, the hole is 4"

[volvoguy]

Hi Ryan,

Yeah, I'm the kind of geek that needs everything to match right down to the drum keys. Its a sickness that I can't shake. I've always been this way

So, I like the PS3 coated better than the Ludwig clear power collar. I think it has to do with the coated vs clear; I'd order a Ludwig coated power collar without any hesitation.

Thanks for the info!

I'm a Ludwig geek as well... all the way down to the pedals:

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~ridgely/Drums/IMG_0881a.jpg

I have a FiberSkyn PS3 on my Element bass drum. It's a cool "round" sound, but I dunno how it's going to fly with our loud blues-rock band. :) I might need something a little "punchier". My Classic Maple bass drum has smooth Weathermaster's on both ends and a pillow inside. That works well.

Ludwig actually does have a "psuedo-coated" power collar head, which is what comes on the resonant end of the bass drum on the import kits. I pulled mine off and was surprised to find the power collar on the inside as I was replacing it with a regular Weathermaster.

-Ryan