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1967 Ludwig Kit...Help!

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Hey folks. I'm a newb to vintage drums, so I hope you guys can help. My nephew has a set of ludwigs that I am looking to buy(actually trade) from him. They are date stamped 03-24-1967. They have keystone badges and the sizes and serials are as follows:

20" kick - 467887

16" floor tom - 467888

14" tom - 466249

12" tom - 466513

I am looking to find out what these drums are. I've done some research, but I am finding so much info on different types of kits....super classics....downbeats....etc that I am unsure where to go. I am mainly looking to find out the series and the type of wood, and an approximate value if anyone could help there as well. Hopefully the attached pics are sufficient. There are a few condition problems. Firstly, the bottom hoops are missing for all the toms. Are these hard to find??? Also, as a result, there is some damage to the bearing edges on the resonant sides of the rack toms in a couple of places. The floor tom looks fine, but that seems like a pretty big issue. Also, my uncle repainted the inside of the drums. I have no idea what type of paint he used, but he was careful not to paint over the date stamp. Not sure if that would affect the tone or not. Basically, I'm just looking for a decent kit....it doesn't have to be the best....but any info that you folks can help me out with would be great!!

Thanks,

Jacob

Posted on 15 years ago
#1
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last pic thanks

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Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 566 Threads: 101
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From jacob_seal

Hey folks. I'm a newb to vintage drums, so I hope you guys can help. My nephew has a set of ludwigs that I am looking to buy(actually trade) from him. They are date stamped 03-24-1967. They have keystone badges and the sizes and serials are as follows:20" kick - 46788716" floor tom - 46788814" tom - 46624912" tom - 466513I am looking to find out what these drums are. I've done some research, but I am finding so much info on different types of kits....super classics....downbeats....etc that I am unsure where to go. I am mainly looking to find out the series and the type of wood, and an approximate value if anyone could help there as well. Hopefully the attached pics are sufficient. There are a few condition problems. Firstly, the bottom hoops are missing for all the toms. Are these hard to find??? Also, as a result, there is some damage to the bearing edges on the resonant sides of the rack toms in a couple of places. The floor tom looks fine, but that seems like a pretty big issue. Also, my uncle repainted the inside of the drums. I have no idea what type of paint he used, but he was careful not to paint over the date stamp. Not sure if that would affect the tone or not. Basically, I'm just looking for a decent kit....it doesn't have to be the best....but any info that you folks can help me out with would be great!!Thanks,Jacob

20/16/14/12 ? The cataloged double tom set was the HOLLYWOOD and sizes were 22/16/13/12 . The catalog doesn't even list a 14" rack tom , only the 14x14 floor tom . You sure about the sizes ? A 20" bass could have been special-ordered so 20/16/13/12 would make sense , but not 20/16/14/12 .

Hoops easy to find , and the re-paint is no big deal . At least he re-painted white and not black !

How bad are the dings in the bearing edges ?

Shells are 3 ply mahogany & poplar with maple reinforcing ring .

1963 Gretsch Progressive Jazz Champagne Sparkle
1967 Ludwig Super Classic Oyster Blue Pearl
Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute Burgundy Spkl. bop
etc...
Posted on 15 years ago
#3
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hey thanks for the info. my wife measured these and took the pics as i am 1200 miles away right now.....so the sizes may not be exact. also, here is a pics of the bearing edges.

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Posted on 15 years ago
#4
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You could get the bearing edges re-cut if you wanted to add the resonant heads/hoops. It might be worth doing. The kit, in it's condition, might be worth about $500. This kit has a lot going against it in terms of value--scratched-up wrap, missing hardware, damaged bearing edges, mis-matched sizes...

If it were ME looking at this kit, I wouldn't pay more than $350-400, as I'd have to have the bearing edges re-cut, replace the hoops/rods for the toms, and probably outfit the whole thing in new heads. Even after all of that, it wouldn't be very "collectable", but just a decent-sounding vintage kit.

1970 Ludwig Downbeat
1965 Ludwig Hollywood
1970 Ludwig Jazzette
Posted on 15 years ago
#5
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caddy....thanks for your input. A decent sounding vintage kit is OK with me....thats really all i'm after with this. Thanks for your thoughts on value. The kid wants to play guitar now, so i was considering a trade for a mexico strat and a line 6 spider amp.....something along those lines. The kit also comes with some nice zildjian new beats and a DW kick pedal.....so might be a decent trade then.

How would you guys characterize the tone of the mah/pop/mah shells??? I'm pretty familiar with the tone of solid maple or birch....any thoughts on a comparison? I'm guessing mahogany would have a warmer tone with less attack.....but i honestly dont know....i'm a guitar player looking for a decent kit to bang around on. =)

Posted on 15 years ago
#6
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The answer to "how do they sound" is.....woody! Warm, mellow, lots of tone. If they're good drums, then they'll sound bigger than they look. Make sure all of the seams and batter bearing edges are okay. Also, make sure the shells are more-or-less still round.

Good luck! Sounds like you're getting a good deal on that trade!

1970 Ludwig Downbeat
1965 Ludwig Hollywood
1970 Ludwig Jazzette
Posted on 15 years ago
#7
Posts: 566 Threads: 101
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From jacob_seal

hey thanks for the info. my wife measured these and took the pics as i am 1200 miles away right now.....so the sizes may not be exact. also, here is a pics of the bearing edges.

That must be a 13x9 rack but in the photo I must admit it looks larger . Can't be , though .

1963 Gretsch Progressive Jazz Champagne Sparkle
1967 Ludwig Super Classic Oyster Blue Pearl
Yamaha Birch Custom Absolute Burgundy Spkl. bop
etc...
Posted on 15 years ago
#8
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Depending on the extent of the damage a recut on the edges may not be necessary (just some sanding and wood filler followed by some painting if you want). Weekend workshop stuff. It's the res edges, after all.

It really DOES look like a 10x14 there to me. If so, it's probably not a matched set, is my guess. But the serial #'s are so close (?)...maybe it is a 13 and the kit is a factory 12/13/16/20. That would make sense.

But who cares ? Classic old Ludwig drums which need a tad of clean up. It would be a fun old kit, I say; again of the pricetag isn't crazy.

Posted on 15 years ago
#9
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geez guys...only a few hours and pretty much all of my questions have been answered. Nice work everyone! It's much appreciated. I'll have the wife check out the batter side bearing edges for me, and if they're good I'll see if I can't work out a deal.

Any more thoughts or responses....please feel free.

Thanks again,

Jacob

Posted on 15 years ago
#10
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