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Restoring 62 Ludwig Champagne Drums

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Hi guys, I’m new to the forum and looking for some input. Several years ago I purchased a Ludwig 1962 pre-serial Downbeat kit ( 20,14,12) in original champagne sparkle wrap ( I also have my first drum, a pre-serial 5x14 Supraphonic COB that was with my original 1962 Super Classic kit and matches up well with this kit).

The kit has two major flaws;

1) The 20” bass drum has 4 extra holes drilled for the tom mount.

2) Although the kit has aged together, the bass drum has a mottled look to it. Overall the kit looks rather bronze in color.

My questions are;

1) Should I try to restore and even out the finish of all the drums (including patching the extra holes)

2) Is it possible to use the wet sanding method on a sparkle finish such as this

3) Should I just leave them alone

By the way, the toms are in excellent condition inside and out; I could just experiment with the bass drum and if things don't work out I would just sell the toms and use the bass drum parts for other projects.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
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Hi and Welcome to the forum. My first reaction is just give them a good cleaning and play the heck out tof them. Thae bass drum does look weird, almost as though somone made a poor attempt to buff it with a buffer. You can plug the hole's by useing wrap form underneath one of the lugs. Wet sanding wont do a thing for it, in my oppinion. If you not happy with the drums then sell them to me, lol!


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
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Welcome my man! Those drums in the sizes you have are a desirable set. The toms look really good from what I can tell in the pictures. If they were mine, id clean them up good and play them. If the wrap is bothering you that bad, you may consider have the bass drum re-wrapped maybe....although the new wrap on the bass may not match perfectly with the aged wrap on the toms. You can always keep an eye out for another pre-serial 20" bass drum in the same color as well..

Good to have you here on the forum! There are lots of fellas on here that know a great deal about vintage drums. Ive learned so much in the relatively short time that Ive been a member.

-Justin

"People might look at you a bit funny, but it's okay. Artists are allowed to be a bit different."- Bob Ross

"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music..." - Aldous Huxley
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
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Thanks Brewkowski, yea the bass drum DOES look strange, I've never seen anything like it before. I saw a video of a restoration of a Sky Blue Pearl drum that was brought back to almost original by sanding it with wet sandpaper down to 1500 grit which in effect prepares the drum for polishing etc.. My real question is can sparkle finishes be sanded without destroying the sparkles. I'm tempted to try it on the bass drum and if it fails I'll probably use the parts and sell the two toms.

And yes I didi play the heck out of them until I found this 64-65 Champagne Down Beat which is a keeper without a doubt.

I'm an old school guy and have always wanted one of these, the 62 partially fulfilled that dream until I was able to find the 64/65 ....completed with the 4x14 snare and the 1964 "Ringo" Hi Hat.

A picture is worth a thousand words.....

Posted on 11 years ago
#4
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Wow, dual spurs, downbeat snare, champaign.

Please don't part out the 62' downbeat.

As far as I know the sanding will work, just don't get too carried away.

The sanding is more like a fine polishing. I also understand novus plastic polish may be of some help.

I'm piecing together a '67 blue sparkle set and some I'm the drums are far from perfect, but they are original.

Beautiful drums...... BOTH sets.

I like Drums...
1963 Ludwig Downbeat Champagne Sparkle
1964 Leedy (Slingerland) Blue n Silver Duco
1964 Ludwig Club Date Sparkling Silver Pearl
1966 Ludwig Super Classic Sparkling Silver Pearl
1968 Gretsch round badge modern jazz orange stain
1972 Slingerland 85N Pop outfit Light Blue Pearl
1976 Ludwig Vistalite clear
1981 Gretsch SSB Gran Prix Rosewood
1987 Yamaha Turbo Tour Custom Mellow Yellow
1991 Pearl Export Ferrari Red
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
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Thanks for the comps. I really don't like the idea of parting out the 62 kit but at this point it comes down to the bottom line. I need to thin out my herd of drums and cymbals because I'm just not playing much anymore. Being new to this forum I'll have to do more research before I make any decisions. Any ideas as to the value of the 62 as is?

Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 1525 Threads: 127
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You might try some Meguires PlastX headlight cleaner. It did wonders for my gold sparkle set. Or the Novus 2. Nice kit. If you do part it out I would be interested in the 12" Tom. I have seen wraps that look like your bass drum. Kind of uneven looking. I have a floor Tom like that. Once I cleaned it up really good it was not that noticeable and definitely would not rewrap it.

Posted on 11 years ago
#7
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I still think sanding will do no good but if you do it please post some photos and updates so we can follow along. Im perfectly fine with a , I told you so, lol!

I saw the video also and was amazed at the results. I am thinking on buying a really bad drum shell on ebay to experiment with. I dont remember all of the details in the video, how did he keep water out of the holes? Pack them with bees wax or something?


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375
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Nickname the bass "Freckles"

Love her, play her, and leave her as-is.....

You'll never match her up to the 12 and 14 rewrapping, and you'll never be able to repair the mottled finish by any means.....

The word I hear about the old Champagne wraps that mottle in appearance is that the copper flakes in the wrap have become compromised somehow.

Kevin
Posted on 11 years ago
#9
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From kevins

Nickname the bass "Freckles"Love her, play her, and leave her as-is.....You'll never match her up to the 12 and 14 rewrapping, and you'll never be able to repair the mottled finish by any means.....The word I hear about the old Champagne wraps that mottle in appearance is that the copper flakes in the wrap have become compromised somehow.

+ 1,, kev is on the money here !!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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