Thanks again for you comments. I guess I'm just trying to get as much info as possible and you guys have been very helpful. I know it sounds like I'm dithering but unlike your part of the world vintage US kits are a pretty rare find here and another opportunity to buy a (albeit project) vintage Ludwig may not come around again for a long time. But, having said that, because they're so rare here I think you can understand my questioning of its authenticity. Obviously at the sort of price I discussed earlier it's a no brainer but I suspect, in the end, it won't be cheap.

I'm thinking it's worth a punt though.

Thanks

I got some more photos from the seller (he won't be winning any photographic competitions). Maybe they can cast some light on what's right and what's not? Any comments?

Well what we have--The bass drum floor tom are 60s ludwigs--the tom mount on bass drum is a STAR mount made by TAMA in the 60s--I only question the mounted tom,It could be a ludwig but iam not sure[would need a photo] someone could have added the STAR mount to the set or the tom could be a no name japan made tom--in the late 60s-70s---I had a drum name HOLLYWOOD made in japan with copys of ludwig lugs i still have them,also a 70s tom name of adam that also have the same copys of ludwig luds...mikey

Thanks for your help. I have bought it and, as expected, I paid through the nose. About US$700. Ouch.

Well I just received the kit and you guys were right. Unfortunately the rack tom doesn't match the other two. It has had the lugs added (from what was probably the original rack tom) at some point and as such has loads of extra holes as they didn't fit the hole spacings. See this pic If you fancy having a crack at identifying. The wrap is slightly different too.

So, I guess I'll be looking for a rack tom in Blue oyster pearl.

Is it me or is that a pretty interesting tom. I get the feeling that there's more to that story. I'll wait for the pros to add thier bit.

yes, the twin mufflers seem unusual. English maybe?

Until I can track down a replacement Ludwig tom it will have to be a substitute.

The tom is of exactly the same design as my 'mystery' tom I got with my vintage olympic kit. The guys on here said it was more than likely a Japanese stencil. It came with a single-headed dampner, pretty much like the ajax/premier type.

yes, it does look similar. If it helps, there is a stamp inside for what looks like serial # and model with some numbers handwritten in the boxes. The numbers are Serial: 144, Model: T404. It appears to be a 4 ply shell.

Definitely the STAR tom mount was added later (there can be seen a separate hole for a tom arm going through the shell, and Star tom brackets don't need such a hole through the shell - they are just added outside).

The double tom dampers, I agree, are also not typical for Japanese toms.

So my best guess is an English/ American manufacturer behind this miracle tom.

R.