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LudwigGuy 03-28-2023 06:01 PM

Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
4 Attachment(s)
A little help please.

When was my kit made? I can’t seem to figure it out.
They are 3-ply with maple interiors.
Thanks!

Olimpass 03-28-2023 09:58 PM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
According to the badge, 1978 ish? …hmmm do not know.

jmcohen 03-28-2023 11:43 PM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
I agree. 1977-78 probably…

Here is our source
https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/serial_numbers.html

LudwigGuy 03-29-2023 05:22 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
Ok thanks!

I thought Ludwig had quit making 3-ply kits by that point, but I’m definitely no historian!

My best guess is 78-79 as well.

Olimpass 03-29-2023 07:53 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
Just curious, if they’re 3 ply, do they have re- rings? I would think that’s kind of thin without them? Just guessing.

LudwigGuy 03-29-2023 08:57 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
1 Attachment(s)
Yes, they are 3-ply with re-rings.

Olimpass 03-29-2023 09:11 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
That’s awesome. I found this on the Ludwig site.

https://www.ludwig-drums.com/en-us/ludwig/shell-guide

LudwigGuy 03-29-2023 09:26 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
That just adds to the mystery. So mine may be a "combo" set but maybe ordered without the granitone and b/o badges? Who knows.

Olimpass 03-29-2023 09:37 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
1 Attachment(s)
I think the badges are correct for the year but I have this other chart that says different about them being 6 ply clear maple- poplar for that year. Yeah, who knows?

Olimpass 03-29-2023 09:49 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
Found this on Ludwig site about numbers. It’s not helping me.. lol.
I think mr. jmcohen was spot on.

https://www.ludwig-drums.com/en-us/ludwig/serial-guide

slingerfan 03-29-2023 10:30 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
'77 most likely. 3-ply to 6-ply transition occurred in the '77/'78 timeframe. OP's are likely right around this transition.

LudwigGuy 03-30-2023 07:42 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
2 Attachment(s)
Ok, so from the info I've gathered, my newest assumption is that these are probably some of the final 3-ply, pointed-badges drums that Ludwig did. My best guess is '77 to early '78 because according to the Ludwig website, in '78 they started spraying the leftover shells with granitone and putting the Ludwig Combo badges on them (the badges look like Standards).

Thanks everyone!

KCDrumDad 03-31-2023 02:46 PM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
Who created the chart in post #9? It looks like somebody combined information from a number of different sources, including Rob Cook's serial number chart from his 2003 book.

O-Lugs 04-01-2023 01:18 PM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
Interesting.

I'd like to see the interiors and, specifically, the badge grommet area and the bearing edges. I can't tell exactly what's going on from the pics.

DRUMR69 04-02-2023 12:15 PM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
Hi LudwigGuy,
So I went through some of my serials and I came up with this.
I bought a set in 1976 and they have 158XXXX serial's
1977 has 174XXXX serial's and 1978 has 182XXXX serial's.
All B/O pointy badges. Yours looks like they land somewhere in between 77-78.
Hope that helps on the serial's question.
Now for the shells, I can't help you there because mine are all Vistalites.
My theory on your shells would be someone might of asked if they still had 3-ply shells available and they ordered them that way, my guess.
Ludwig did have some that were used for the Combos until they ran out so they could of special ordered them before they sprayed granitone inside.

Wayne

Marty Black 04-03-2023 10:38 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
I too can offer a small but accurate sample of Ludwig numbers in 1976. In June 1976, I ordered a Pro Beat kit via a local music store.

The snare was 1545938.

The toms/bass drum numbers were 1146011 to 1147553. They were pointy badge 3 ply with re-rings, granitone interior.....except the 13" tom. It was clear varnish interior.

I was a bit disgusted by this, as I wanted the option of removing the bottom heads from the toms, and I wanted the mounted toms to look the same on the inside....So I returned the 13" to Ludwig, thinking they would just spray the drum with granitone. No, after a frustrating month or two delay, Ludwig sent me a replacement tom with badge number 1590289.

All this occurred between June - August 1976.

Hope this helps narrow the search. Regards, Marty Black

DionneDrummer 04-08-2023 09:01 AM

Re: Help with Ludwig serial numbers
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by LudwigGuy (Post 476152)
Ok, so from the info I've gathered, my newest assumption is that these are probably some of the final 3-ply, pointed-badges drums that Ludwig did. My best guess is '77 to early '78 because according to the Ludwig website, in '78 they started spraying the leftover shells with granitone and putting the Ludwig Combo badges on them (the badges look like Standards).

Thanks everyone!

Beautiful kit!Cool1


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