After lots of review, I've come to the conclusion that only Pork Pie is doing duco correctly these days, that is, visually similar to the old beauties.

From reading the catalogs, my understanding is that the Duco finishes were partly targeted at the educational market, where a school's band director could order the drums in the school's colors.

A few dollars less expensive, AND you get it in the school colors. What educator could resist?

sorry wrong thread...

Hey Starship,

This is a great piece of info and sure makes a lot of sense as to why there are some one offs out there. The next question would be how many music educators were aware of this and actually took advantage of this option. I would imagine the drum companies would target the band directors with specific marketing info to raise awareness.

Thanks for you astute comments!

Doug

Here's mine

Probably later than we would think...

I finally got mine and it's a almost immaculate pre serial Ludwig beauty!

https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2019/6/29/1962-pre-serial-ludwig-comboclub-date-in-bluesilver-duco

The vintage duco group on Facebook shows lots of examples!

Mark - I love your B/S duco Ludwig kit - it's in just amazing condition !! I've managed to piece together a WFL B/S duco kit in better than average condition but still with the typical "character" scratches, chips, and dings. I had to settle for a 12X15 Blue/White duco marcher for the FT that's a reasonably good match with the yellowing white bellyband. I guess WFL duco FTs are as rare as hen's teeth and would probably have been a special order ... I've never seen one.

I got this 1959 transition badged pioneer at guitar center years ago. Can't remember what I paid, but it was cheap enough that I couldn't leave it there. Maybe $150? The guy told me that there was a case and stand but GC doesn't buy that stuff.

It now resides in an old fiber case with a flat based stand and a ed sueta instuctional book like I used in Jr. High.