Ludwig-Dude can verify, but I think you can swap out those lugs for the real honest to goodness Ludwig classic lug. That would make those drums look sooooo sweet. Just a thought.

You've got a real nice outer ply there. You could clean the tape gunk, lightly (and I do mean lightly) sand and begin the stain/seal. You don't have to do much work at all on these at all. Wow. You really could probably do the work yourself. I don't know your level of ability, but these shells really don't appear to require much work.

Thanks so much for the encouraging words and compliments on the set.

In that case I am going to strip the whole set of wrap and prepare them for the stain/seal process. I am very good at technical things such as computers, etc but not at handyman work, so I was going to just contact someone at one of the woodworking shops or look on craigslist to find someone who may be able to do what needs to be done for a good price. If you were going to have someone do the work, how much would be a fair price do you think?

I am going to do all new lugs, hoops, etc. I want this baby brand spanking new from the ground up. Can you show me a pic of what the classic Ludwig lugs look like?

Normally, I just feed the friend who is going to do the work. I also help as much as I am capable. Then, when they need a hand, I'm there. It's a bartering system. It works.

Here's a pic of the typical Ludwig classic lug.

What exactly is the job description of your friend? Wood maker? So, I know who to look for on craigslist/around town. The bartering system works great, I will have to see if that will apply.

That is a much nicer lug, I will have to go with those!!!

Most of the lugs will swap with classic lugs. However, sometimes the factory fitted the LARGE bass drum size to the toms as well. These are a different bolt pattern than the large classic lugs. The spacing of the Rocker bass drum lugs are 2 3/16"...same as a snare lug. The large classic lugs are 1 11/16". The small Rocker lugs are this pattern. Verify before you start buying up classic lugs to replace the Rockers. Redrilling is a pain and not really an option. A better bet is to search ebay for rocker/standard series lugs, or as I stated in a previous post to check with Ludwig themselves if they have any in the warehouses still.

I just checked the lugs on the bass drums and they are just a tiny bit longer than the lugs on the toms.

Good point, I was going to assume they were the same, glad you pointed that out.

I have decided to KILL this project. After much agonizing and realizing the total cost of the project, I found it cheaper and quicker to just buy a new set.

I will be listing a complete list of everything in the FOR SALE area if anyone is interested in any of the parts from the set.