Bermuda, Weird Al's drummer, has ordered a kit for his next tour. Bermuda is a Ludwig endorser and already has Legacys and Classics. If he chose them they must be OK.

I have heard nothing but good about those kits, and they come in some cool colors!

There are a few examples on you tube where they sound pretty good to me.Some of the guys on DFO have then and say they like them,and say they are good bang for the buck.

This guy's Element sounds pretty good especially consider it's just the camera mic...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVqLdCJB2F4&feature=related"]Ludwig Element SE Mod Orange part 1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsV0_4NFhEA&feature=related"]Element SE Mod Orange part 2[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbPotUhfNL4&list=QL&playnext=1"]Element SE Mod Orange part 3 (outside) [/ame]

THANKS for all the input.

Are these made here in the States or overseas?

Ludwig isn't boasting NC USA on the build like the classic maple series for instance, so I would say it's overseas (considering that price point)

They're made in Taiwan. The only American made are the Legacy's and the Classic Maple's.

Plus the New Keystone Oak Maple core Oak are Made in Monroe.

They sound pretty good. I've played them in person, and was actually impressed. Then again, I'm also impressed by the Catalina Jazz kit. Good "bang for the buck" on these kits. Plus, the finishes (which is the main selling point, I'm sure) are great!

The only thing I was displeased with was the rail mount hardware. It seems odd that you can't just collapse the thing to fit it into a bass drum case (there's a couple of giant wing screws in the way that prevent this).