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Ludwig Club Date kit with bent, rather than straightforward tom legs?

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I just acquired my first set of vintage Ludwigs. It's a 1965 Club Date kit. Seller got them from the orginal owner. They have bent rather than straight, floor tom legs. All of thr photos I see from back then l show them with straight legs. Bit I do see a lot for sale with bent ones. Did a bunch of folks upgrade their floor tom legs or, was it something else?

I know that after the Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan show, demand sky rocketed for Ludwigs, and they had to go to a seven day per week, twenty four hour a day operation. Is it possible that they just used what they jad? I also know that the kits in the mid 60s had QC issues.

Just curious is all.

Posted on 1 year ago
#1
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188
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Well, if it has the folding "gull wing" legs, then it shouldn't have any hole protruding into the bass drum shell. If it doesn't have a hole where the straight spike legs would go, then it must have come from the factory that way. If, however, there IS a hole, then someone likely added the legs after the fact....or had someone at the local music store do it for them.

Now, IF you are referring to the later "Atlas"-type curved legs that retract into the shell, then that's definitely a later add-on.

Photos would help to clarify just exactly which ones we are talking about.

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 1 year ago
#2
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The no. 5022 deluxe floor tom legs were about $13 in chrome and about $9 in nickel in '65 so it would be easy enough to buy the upgraded legs and ditch the straight legs. I'm sure you could have custom ordered the deluxe legs for a small up charge if you ordered a new kit from a shop, or some shops probably would trade out the legs for that same up charge.

Posted on 1 year ago
#3
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From O-Lugs

Well, if it has the folding "gull wing" legs, then it shouldn't have any hole protruding into the bass drum shell. If it doesn't have a hole where the straight spike legs would go, then it must have come from the factory that way. If, however, there IS a hole, then someone likely added the legs after the fact....or had someone at the local music store do it for them.Now, IF you are referring to the later "Atlas"-type curved legs that retract into the shell, then that's definitely a later add-on.Photos would help to clarify just exactly which ones we are talking about.

Sorry but I think you might be confused. I'm referring to my floor tom, not my bass drum.

Posted on 1 year ago
#4
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From thin shell

The no. 5022 deluxe floor tom legs were about $13 in chrome and about $9 in nickel in '65 so it would be easy enough to buy the upgraded legs and ditch the straight legs. I'm sure you could have custom ordered the deluxe legs for a small up charge if you ordered a new kit from a shop, or some shops probably would trade out the legs for that same up charge.

That makes since. Thank you for that info!

Posted on 1 year ago
#5
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For what it's worth, I've got a "born together" date-stamped Feb 1968 "Club Date" kit.

It too has the angled "classic" floor tom legs and mounts, rather than the straight spring-clip legs. There is no evidence that the floor tom ever had the "clipper" mounts. These must've been a factory option.

This kit also has the early 3/4" round knob mufflers on tom and floor tom, which I've always preferred over the "baseball bat" mufflers. Feb 1968 was the transition period from the "baseball bat" mufflers to the 1" round knob mufflers, and the earlier 3/4" round knob mufflers "appear sporadically throughout the baseball bat era," according to Richard Gier's Ludwig book.

The "Club Date" is a super kit for small venues!

Enjoy, Marty Black

Posted on 1 year ago
#6
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From Marty Black

For what it's worth, I've got a "born together" date-stamped Feb 1968 "Club Date" kit.It too has the angled "classic" floor tom legs and mounts, rather than the straight spring-clip legs. There is no evidence that the floor tom ever had the "clipper" mounts. These must've been a factory option.This kit also has the early 3/4" round knob mufflers on tom and floor tom, which I've always preferred over the "baseball bat" mufflers. Feb 1968 was the transition period from the "baseball bat" mufflers to the 1" round knob mufflers, and the earlier 3/4" round knob mufflers "appear sporadically throughout the baseball bat era," according to Richard Gier's Ludwig book.The "Club Date" is a super kit for small venues!Enjoy, Marty Black

Interesting. I prefer the Basebat style because theure easier to turn on and off on the fly.

Posted on 1 year ago
#7
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188
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From Drummerboy1975

Sorry but I think you might be confused. I'm referring to my floor tom, not my bass drum.

lol....I need glasses to find my glasses.

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 1 year ago
#8
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