What do you think of this deal on Ludwig Classic Maples?

SgtThump · #1 06-09-2012, 04:49 PM

What would you guys say if I told you I just bought a 2005 Ludwig Classic Maple "Black Oyster" 6-piece kit locally for $628?

18x20" (virgin)
8x10" w/RIMS
8x12" w/RIMS
14x14" w/legs
16x16" w/legs
5x14" Snare

:)

I haven't seen it yet and won't pick it up until tomorrow, but the pictures show what appears to be a very clean set that was gigged, but always in cases (cases not included.) I'm unable to get the pictures, but here's the auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110891099351...#ht_500wt_1287

I don't need them and may end up selling them for a profit (or not), but I'm kinda shocked about this deal. LOL

SgtThump · #2 06-09-2012, 05:07 PM

I wish that 20" kick was shallower than 18", but don't confuse that for a complaint. he he

#3 06-09-2012, 05:23 PM

I had that exact kit and foolishly sold it years ago. (Maybe that's the same kit. LOL) The pearl was considered old fashioned -- now it's considered vintage cool.

Great drums and if they're clean, that's an amazing price.

Personally, I'd I'd sell the snare and 10" tom and get a chrome supra phonic and make it perfect. : )

Congrats. And enjoy.

SgtThump · #4 06-09-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

I had that exact kit and foolishly sold it years ago. (Maybe that's the same kit. LOL) The pearl was considered old fashioned -- now it's considered vintage cool.

Great drums and if they're clean, that's an amazing price.

Personally, I'd I'd sell the snare and 10" tom and get a chrome supra phonic and make it perfect. : )

Congrats. And enjoy.

Thanks! Could be the same kit! That would be funny...

I have a COB 6.5"x14" Supra, so I'm set there. :) I'm not sure if I'll keep this kit, sell a piece or two, or sell it all.

To be honest, it does compliment the two kits I have nicely (Fibes 1 up, 2 down and Corder 1 up 1 down.)

Bull · #5 06-09-2012, 05:37 PM

Nice kit and a nice deal!

eamesuser · #6 06-09-2012, 06:17 PM

Great deal,esp with the matching wood snare,I have seen a few 3 and 4 pc with no snare go for 600.00-700.00,but 5 pc with matching snare is a sweet deal.

SgtThump · #7 06-09-2012, 06:22 PM

Thanks guys. I'm pumped! I didn't expect to win them at all.

SgtThump · #8 06-09-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eamesuser

Great deal,esp with the matching wood snare,I have seen a few 3 and 4 pc with no snare go for 600.00-700.00,but 5 pc with matching snare is a sweet deal.

This is a total guess, but I'd think this wood snare could sell for $250 or so by itself. Yeah, I'm really excited to get these in my hands and check them out. I'll pick them up tomorrow.

I didn't list my other kits in detail earlier, but they are:

Fibes (Austin Era) - 22, 13, 16, 18
Corder ('80s) - 22, 10, 16

I've wanted to try a 20" bass drum for a while now, but not one that's 18" deep. That's the only somewhat not great news.

harryconway · #9 06-10-2012, 12:34 AM

Sweet deal. I'm not a big fan of super deep kicks, either. Have 4" cut off that kick. A 20X14 is a great size. Traditional. Classic.

Sell the snare, use some of that cash to finance the kick drum work, and you'll have a sweet 3rd kit.

Pocket-full-of-gold · #10 06-10-2012, 01:00 AM

Couldn't get a used Centennial for $628 in these parts, let alone a CM. The type of deal I can only dream about. Great score!!

KarlCrafton · #11 06-10-2012, 03:36 AM

Wow, great score!!! (!!!!)

Have fun!!!

SoCalSteve · #12 06-10-2012, 03:52 AM

Sweet!

Sellers really limit their market for buyers when they won't ship.

SgtThump · #13 06-10-2012, 04:37 PM

I'll get it home today and report back. Ill also take pics of it setup.

SgtThump · #14 06-11-2012, 03:13 AM

Got 'em home. Tuned everything up and the toms sound awesome! Snare sounds horrible to me. Has an Evans dry head on it and is very dead sounding. Will fix up with ambassadors for an open ringing tone.

Jury is still out on bass drum.

Quick question... The wrap is coming apart a little at all seams. Is that normal for Ludwig wrap?

NerfLad · #15 06-11-2012, 03:38 AM

Hopefully they didn't get wet... that would explain the great price.

SgtThump · #16 06-11-2012, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NerfLad

Hopefully they didn't get wet... that would explain the great price.

Are you saying that, because I said the wrap was coming apart at the seams? I sure hope that's not the reason for the great price either. The toms really do sound nice! The bass drum sounds about how I expected, which means it doesn't sound like anything's wrong.

The snare does need some serious work, though. Not structurally, but it needs the heads I like the most and needs to be dialed in for more "ring!."

Drumolator · #17 06-11-2012, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtThump

Thanks! Could be the same kit! That would be funny...

I have a COB 6.5"x14" Supra, so I'm set there. :) I'm not sure if I'll keep this kit, sell a piece or two, or sell it all.

To be honest, it does compliment the two kits I have nicely (Fibes 1 up, 2 down and Corder 1 up 1 down.)

How long have you had the Corder set? I used to have one (and wish I still did). Congrats on the Ludwigs! Peace and goodwill.

SgtThump · #18 06-11-2012, 05:15 PM

Here they are cleaned up and at my place.

As mentioned, the wrap is coming up at the seams. I'm almost positive this is from the original owner keeping these in a trailer or something (heat and cold.)

The wrap on the bass drum is also kinda weird. It's like the wrap doesn't go all the way up to the front hoop. You can see wood there by/under the front hoop where the wrap isn't covering the shell. Not sure if that made sense, but that looks like a manufacturing thing to me. Is that a rare thing?

Other than that, these drums are in fantastic condition. The toms are singing very nicely right now. The snare needs alot of work and the kick needs a little work, which I plan on doing today.

I'm also most likely going to buy some new heads today and get it all in top condition. If I can get that snare to sound really good, then I'll be happy with this purchase. I was kinda surprised by the wrap coming up at the seams, but I'm not going to dwell on that.

larryz · #19 06-11-2012, 05:19 PM

Wow, that's a great deal. I'm happy for you. Thing is, I've seem awesome deals on kits on ebay that offer only "local pickup", but I'm never close to that city. Maybe I should move to the midwest and be centrally located :)

So with that kit and your Fibes I'm really jealous now. Good job.

SgtThump · #20 06-11-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drumolator

How long have you had the Corder set? I used to have one (and wish I still did). Congrats on the Ludwigs! Peace and goodwill.

I got the Corders set not too long ago. It was rewrapped by the last owner (and he did a good job) and it no longer has the Corders badges on it (I think they were stickers anyway.) It also has a "Fibes" bass drum head, but only 'til I can find a Corders one.

It has a 10" rack tom and 16" floor tom. Sounds like a strange combination of sizes, but I'm actually liking it alot.

SgtThump · #21 06-11-2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryz

Wow, that's a great deal. I'm happy for you. Thing is, I've seem awesome deals on kits on ebay that offer only "local pickup", but I'm never close to that city. Maybe I should move to the midwest and be centrally located :)

So with that kit and your Fibes I'm really jealous now. Good job.

Thank you very much sir! This seller was no more than 10 miles away. I know selling locally sure does limit the audience, so I just decided "what the heck" and put in a max bid. I was sure surprised when I woke up and saw I got it for that price!

opentune · #22 06-11-2012, 06:22 PM

Awesome kit and deal. Great find! I love the finish, only thing I'd change is a white coated bass drum reso with the smaller Ludwig logo.
I'd prefer 14 x 20 as well, but 18 x 20 must have some 'ooomph'.

NerfLad · #23 06-11-2012, 07:59 PM

Oh, those looks great! I imagined the wrap separation being much worse.

Drumolator · #24 06-11-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtThump

I got the Corders set not too long ago. It was rewrapped by the last owner (and he did a good job) and it no longer has the Corders badges on it (I think they were stickers anyway.) It also has a "Fibes" bass drum head, but only 'til I can find a Corders one.

It has a 10" rack tom and 16" floor tom. Sounds like a strange combination of sizes, but I'm actually liking it alot.

I wish you much luck in finding a Corder bass drum head. Those are great drums. Peace and goodwill.

wildbill · #25 06-11-2012, 09:02 PM

Looks like you got yourself a really good deal. They look great - nice sizes too.

SgtThump · #26 06-11-2012, 10:03 PM

I bought some heads today and just cleaned up everything and put them on. Nothing fancy, just clear Emporers on tom batters, SuperKick II on the bass batter, and Ambassadors on the snare.

First of all, the Super Kick II made an enormous difference on the kick. I knew it would sound better, but it's even better than expected. It had a Remo Powerstroke or something like that on it before. Very deep and punchy.

The snare also sounds a million times better. Definitely more open sounding. Still need to experiment more on this.

The toms are killer. I still have the stock reso heads on there for now, but I'll swap those at some point too.

This is a really nice sounding kit!

SgtThump · #27 06-11-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opentune

...only thing I'd change is a white coated bass drum reso with the smaller Ludwig logo...

Yes, I totally agree!