StaggerLee
Silver Member
Ok... i have been holding back on this for a long time, mainly as im afraid someone is going to come up and tell me "its not special its just crap".... but my curiosity has got the better of me, and im really hoping that bermuda helps out on this as I imagine he would know best.
OK so the story:
In 2009 ludwig were the rage again, 100 years and all that. They had lots of new lines, including the element line. Now I wanted one, BADLY, as I always wanted a luddy, but I couldn't afford one. Few years down the line and I see an add saying:
"Custom Ludwig Element"
With the footnotes saying:
A custom sized element from the 100th anniversary element series used for photography and drum clinics, a professional version! 20x14, 12x8, 16x14. Badges removed but supplied.
Now being young I was hooked, it wasn't that bad money wise and I pulled the trigger. They were lovely 60s sizes (and the same ones I had played on a friends slingerland). So it arrived and I loved it and paid no heed to the badges etc and just loved the kit But recently a friend got himself one of the older birch/poplar elements like I have, but they dont sound at all similar.... so we started taking them apart to have a look. First difference was his were around 3mm out of round, mine was utterly perfect... ok not what im used to with a taiwanese made kit but ok. Secondly mine had some sort of clear coat inside, wheras his was a bit rough. Again a bit unusual. Then we checked bearing edges and his were basic 45 degree but mine were 45 degree with a slight round over and the tip of the bearing edge was further into the drum rather than right at the edge.... again a bit unusual. So we then looked online and both my finish (a matte black with some thin lacquer) was not on there, neither were the bass drum and floor tom sizes.... Here is a pic, any clues anyone? I havent heard of ludwig putting out a really high spec version of a midline drum just to sell more of them, only when the REO speedwagon guy got an epic that was custo specced and interior finished etc
OK so the story:
In 2009 ludwig were the rage again, 100 years and all that. They had lots of new lines, including the element line. Now I wanted one, BADLY, as I always wanted a luddy, but I couldn't afford one. Few years down the line and I see an add saying:
"Custom Ludwig Element"
With the footnotes saying:
A custom sized element from the 100th anniversary element series used for photography and drum clinics, a professional version! 20x14, 12x8, 16x14. Badges removed but supplied.
Now being young I was hooked, it wasn't that bad money wise and I pulled the trigger. They were lovely 60s sizes (and the same ones I had played on a friends slingerland). So it arrived and I loved it and paid no heed to the badges etc and just loved the kit But recently a friend got himself one of the older birch/poplar elements like I have, but they dont sound at all similar.... so we started taking them apart to have a look. First difference was his were around 3mm out of round, mine was utterly perfect... ok not what im used to with a taiwanese made kit but ok. Secondly mine had some sort of clear coat inside, wheras his was a bit rough. Again a bit unusual. Then we checked bearing edges and his were basic 45 degree but mine were 45 degree with a slight round over and the tip of the bearing edge was further into the drum rather than right at the edge.... again a bit unusual. So we then looked online and both my finish (a matte black with some thin lacquer) was not on there, neither were the bass drum and floor tom sizes.... Here is a pic, any clues anyone? I havent heard of ludwig putting out a really high spec version of a midline drum just to sell more of them, only when the REO speedwagon guy got an epic that was custo specced and interior finished etc