Edsel, Gremlin, DMC12, NeXT computer, and Mach 5 all share one thing in common . . . the people just didn't want to purchase them. It wasn't so much a design flaw (though some would argue the Gremlin styling), it was more that the public just didn't want those goods when they were offered. There were better alternatives. Fact is, the Mach 5 had long lugs........that was it! The lugs were different. Great drums other than that. That's the reason you don't see them for sale. They are rare 'cause people just didn't want to buy them. Pop the lugs, pull the wrap, slap on new wrap and classic lugs and you've got yourself a nice Luddy players kit. OR just leave it alone and play the beautiful kit the way Ludwig intended. Your call.

Since they're rare, I'm not gonna modify them.

GOOD move. You really shouldn't. Those are excellent drums and are a bit rare. You can find a tom or two every now and again. Would you consider posting some pics for us? That would be cool.

Yes, I will do that. It will be later this weekend. I have them stacked around in different places. Thanks for the info and suggestion.

I'll post some photos later this weekend. Thanks for the info and suggestion

Some trivia for you,I read in one of my ludwig books that the mach 5 lugs were being used for marching drums,that they distributed the stress better on the shell from the high tunings that were coming into vogue.Then years later tama and yamaha used the long lugs on kit drums and that became the rage.Sometimes the time just is'nt right for an idea.Did they use the mach 5 lugs for the late 70's Steel kits like bonham played?Either way I like the way the Mach 5 kits looked,I WOULD'NT CHANGE A THING.

My father and I worked in a full-line music store in Rocky Mount, NC in the mid 1970's and we sold the Ludwig and Premier drum lines. My dad was a bass player and I play drums. I purchased a Mach 5 set in 1975. The finish is BOP. I still gig with them today. In the early to mid 70's the colleges and high schools were transitioning to the drum and bugle corp style of performance. Ludwig designed a high tension lug for their marching snare drums and then duplicated the lugs for other tuned marching toms and bass drums. Then, Ludwig created the four and five piece sets and called them Mach 4 and Mach 5 (a suppose a play on the concept of breaking the sound barrier). The lugs do add additional weight to the drums and probably do strengthen the shell design. I personally like the appearance.

One of the reasons they were not that popular in the 70's was because of cost. The kit from the factory included a super-sensitive snare - which was out of the price range of many players. I also believe the standard hardware was the Atlas line. Also pretty expensive for many players. During this period, Ludwig was certainly still riding the "Ringo wave" in North Carolina, and many of the new kit buyers were teens or parents - so the lower prices were more popular.

I don't believe I've ever seen a complete set for sale on ebay. You do see a tom every now and then. Hope this helps.

Earle,,first off Welcome to the VDF, and second welcome from another North Carolinian, I'm from Hickory NC! we have quite a few from this area on the forum! there was actually a kit like your for sale on craigslist a few months back!

Welcome Earle ....

Another NC resident here.

Yep, the Super Sensitive retailed for $100 more than the Supra when it came out...... sure has flip flopped now as far as the going price for a 70s model goes.