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Best approach for my 60's Ludwig Pink Champagne set

Posts: 15 Threads: 2

Hi all,

New to the forum, and very impressed with the knowledge base here!

I've recently pulled my vintage mid-sixties Ludwig pink champagne set out of the crawl space as we prepare to make a move. After some clean-up and research, here's what I have:

20" Bass - serial 232278 - date stamp Nov 11 1965

14" Floor tom tom - serial 457506

12" tom tom - serial 228627

Zildjian 14" crash cymbal with stand

Speedking pedal.

The tomtom and base drum were bought together for Christmas 1965 (I have the home movies to prove it!). The floor tomtom was likely bought a year later (1967) for Christmas.

Condition:

The small tomtom has ripped head on top and bottom.

Small patches of paint missing on hoops

Inlay is fully intact, but separated at the joint due to expansion

Some light pitting of the chrome, and a few rust spots on one bass leg.

Rubber foot is missing on the floor tom. The base drum's rubber feet are cracked from age but intact.

No separation of any of the drum's pink champagne overlay anywhere.

Everything else is original, and nothing was replaced. In order to maximize the value, should I:

1) Fix anything or leave it as-is? (e.g. paint the hoops, etc.)

2) Replace the heads on the tomtom?

3) Sell as a complete set, or separate the drums from the rest?

Appreciate any guidance.

Thanks,

Chris

Posted on 6 years ago
#1
Posts: 15 Threads: 2

More pics.

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Posted on 6 years ago
#2
Posts: 2242 Threads: 380

Simply amazing! I certainly am no expert at Ludwigs or prices but, I do know that I'd kill for these beauties!

Brian

Just a drummer who loves all things about vintage drums! Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted on 6 years ago
#3
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Keep it all together and sell as a set. Since you are the original owner, I'd prepare a letter stating the floor tom was acquired a year later as you state here.

Generally, kits all "together" are more desirable to collectors. But, as the original owner, you can provide the provenance to describe the later floor tom.

The cymbal could be sold separately.

Do you have the snare drum and high hat?

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 6 years ago
#4
Posts: 15 Threads: 2

From J!m

Keep it all together and see as a set. Since you are the original owner, I'd prepare a letter stating the floor tom was acquired a year later as you state here.Generally, kits all "together" are more desirable to collectors. But, as the original owner, you can provide the provenance to describe the later floor tom.The cymbal could be sold separately.Do you have the snare drum and high hat?

I do not have a high hat. However, the snare is strange - it's chrome (with a fair amount of rust) with Ludwig heads, but there is no marking or badge on it. The snare lever is frozen. Not sure if its a junk item, or worth anything.

I can attach a pic if you want to see it.

Posted on 6 years ago
#5
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Yeah, if there is no badge, we'd have to see it to determine if it's worth anything to a collector.

Include the throw off and muffler (if present) in the pictures if possible.

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 6 years ago
#6
Posts: 15 Threads: 2

Here are the pics. No muffler.

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Posted on 6 years ago
#7
Posts: 92 Threads: 5

The snare looks like a mid-60's Kent. I have one in blue sparkle and the lugs and throw off are identical. Kent's badges were just made of foil and separated from the drum very easily.

Posted on 6 years ago
#8
Posts: 15 Threads: 2

Thanks,

Should I touch up the black paint on the hoops and repair the inlay?

Like some antiques, restoration can ruin the value. Is this the case with vintage drums?

Posted on 6 years ago
#9
Posts: 92 Threads: 5

You might be able to gently tap the inlay staple back into place. And there are plenty of threads on this and other forums about best practices for replacing the inlays and refinishing the hoops. But the purists will want it done right. You might be better off just leaving it alone, maybe put some scotch tape on it to keep it in place (but not on the paint) and let the new owner worry about it. Same goes with the broken heads on the tom.

And your kit is beautiful. It would be a shame to separate it. You might have a more difficult time selling it in pieces than as a whole kit as well. The cymbal and the pedal could be sold separately, but if it were me I'd keep it all together. (But if it were me, I'd keep it.) Beautiful drums in a desirable finish.

Posted on 6 years ago
#10
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