let me know what you think of these vintage LUDWIGS

[beatsMcGee]

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/418253360.html

so I've been looking around for a 4 piece kit and have been checking the local craigslists. I found these, and while at first i was disgusted with the finish, for some reason they grew on me. anyway i don't know squat about vintage Ludwig's besides the fact they are old.. could anyone tel me what type of Ludwig drums these are, if they are quality drums, what they are really made of and if the fact that they are old compromises their structural integrity ( they wont break or falter just cause they have been around 40 years?) also last but not least is this a good deal for the price? worth going after? thanks so much

[aydee]

Though it is similar, I dont think that is quite the Ringo Ludwig finish. There are lots of Ludwigians on this forum, who I'm sure, will shed more light.

[latzanimal]

Ask the seller if they are 3 or 6 ply shells. Check them out in person. If the drums are taken care of, age is not a factor. In fact, there are many who search for older drums for that 'vintage sound'. See if you can get more pics.

I used to run the vintage section of the drum shop I worked at (under the tutiledge of a guy who knows frickin' everything) and I would say at $650 I'd buy it. As soon as I saw the finish I knew it was a re-wrap job - and a lot of collectors wouldn't think about buying them - but most of those guys don't even play! At least not out here in Los Angeles! We had a lot of Japanese guys buy the drums to sell in Japan because they can buy them here for $1500 and sell them over there to some collector for $5000...That's where all the vintage drums are going these days: Japan.

If you're gonna play these drums then buy them. Unless there's something totally awful going on with the shells they will sound great. Some good heads and some "Moleskin" on the bass drum head - and those puppies should pur.

Buy them or I will! (The wrap...I would get a new wrap job..)

[harryconway]

The add is full of "doesn't add up" statements. Ringo did not make famous the Psychedelic Red finish. That would be Black Oyster Pearl. John Densmore, of the Doors, might have played Psychedelic Red Luddies. I seem to remember that but...? And a 12x9 tom? Usually they go, 12x8, 13x9, 14x10. 1970 shells would be 3 ply. Ask questions and go see them. The fact that they are re-wrapped pretty much makes then a "players" kit rather than "collectable". Good for you in a high-dollar sense. The pictures "bite", but the kick looks like it has a clear maple interior. The price is no "great deal", and since he doesn't say "firm", I'd offer the cat $400. A Ludwig Ruby Strata kit just sold on eBay for around $550. That has the same shells (if these are 3 ply) but different hardware (standard, not classic). I'd say it would be worth "negotiating".

[beatsMcGee]

yea this kit would be heavily played if i bought it, not to be collected. the finish being famous or what ever doesn't matter to me at all. i just want quality drums that sound great.

round cornered badges = late 70's early 80's 6 ply....

[beatsMcGee]

so its a 6 ply for sure? im not sure but hearing that it could possibly be 3 ply makes me think the drums are fragile.. is that a unnecessary worry?

[harryconway]

3 ply vs. 6 ply, lots of people prefer and collect the 3 ply. Some people prefer the 6 ply. As far as fragile goes, don't throw the drums down stairs and they should be fine. The photo is so bad, I'm not gonna commit to that bein' a blue/olive badge with round corners. Since the drums were recovered, the badges might not even be the ones that came with the kit.

beats, ...
get the serial numbers off of the bagdes, but most importantly, get a picture of inside the drums, then we'll know more :)