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Ludwig Early 80’s

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Hi all.

Just wanting to sense check my thoughts on a new kit I’ve got my hands on.

Kick 24” x 16” (3082207)

High Tom 14” x 10” (3105757)

Low Tom 16” x 16” (3081752)

The rounded edges badge puts it roughly 1979-1984.

The mounted tom size seems big - this wasn’t a combination that they sold? Did someone choose the sizes maybe? The bass drum also has the triangular tom hole slightly towards the rear of the kick that appears in the 81 catalogue (not the diamond tom hole right in the middle of the bass drum). The tom mounting is the old 70’s style though and not the 80’s (pearl drums type mount). It just seems old tom Mount but newer tom hole?

Do you think the most likely idea is that someone just wanted specifics and bought this kit over the time of changing ownership and factories? Or am I missing something?

Also, do 80’s individual toms ever come up? Maybe a 12”, 13” or 18” to add?

Snare wise, what should I be looking to add to this 79-84 ish kit? Super-sensitive, supra phonic or acrolite?

Many thanks!

Posted on 2 years ago
#1
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You've got an interesting configurations that may not fit 'catalog' models exactly. The hardware on the kit is challenging to nail down to a catalog example too.

The closest kit configuration is likely the 'ProBeat,' where the 13" and 18" have been sold off. However, you have a deeper bass drum than the catalog would indicate for the Pro-Beat configuration. So, it kind of throws that stock confiuration out the window.

The bass drum/tom hardware is an interesting mix. The tom mount is a 'Modular' with a 'rachet' style post/tom holder as you mentioned above. I would have expected to see a Modular tom mount as well. This could have been changed out by a previous owner as I don't think the factory would have mixed/matched the hardware between the two styles present on the bass & tom. Could this have come from the factory? I guess with a custom order anything is possible, or an accommodating retailer could have made the changes for the customer. But the likely explaination is a post-purchase mix-n-match, and I'm basing this on the closesness of badge numbers on the 24" and 16" drums, but a jump in the sequence on the 14".

The spurs are doubled for the greater bass depth, but in the posted image it doesn't look like the larger heavy-duty spurs (but that could just be my aging eyes). And I believe the spur wingnuts are normally the larger black plastic ones, possibly meaning they were changed out (these larger plastic handles had a tendency to crack if torqued up - I've broken a few on my Ludwig stands).

Although the image may not suggest it, I would look for signs that the kit was recovered - near the 14" tom mount and inspect the interior of the bass at the tom mount.

Individual drums do pop-up from time-to-time, so you can round out your kit. Or you may consider an alternative wrap and then simply refinish it to match your kit.

Snare wise, I prefer 6.5" x 14" and have several Supra variants. I don't think you can go wrong with any of Ludwig's models (aluminum, brass, bronze, or copper).

Posted on 2 years ago
#2
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Thank you so much for all this information.

Yes the four bass legs are the thick original curved ones.

In the 1889 catalogue a metal thumbscrew appears on the bass legs - which makes me think the kit came with blank plastic but as we get to 1990’s the owner swapped out for metal.

Inside drums there are no other holes or filled in markings so everything else is as original as I can see.

Posted on 2 years ago
#3
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My two-cents' worth on Super-Sensitive snares. They normally sell for less than Supraphonics because of the real or perceived difficulty with a "finicky" snare mechanism. Well, I played a 1976 SS for decades and never had any problems with the snare mechanism, and I've never been accused of being smart. :-)

However, I sold the SS a few years ago and replaced it with both a Jazzfest and a Supraphonic. Having retired and spending more time practicing and gigging, the snare-guards - which stick out from the snare mechanism - were either rubbing against my leg, or if I rotated the drum, were bumping up against my throne and the mounted tom.

Many drummers remove the snare guards for that reason, but those guards are there to protect the mechanisms. You will also see where frustrated drummers will remove the SS mechanisms and replace them with a common throw-off and buttplate (creating a Supraphonic with a couple extra holes).....Also, you need a square hard case for an SS. Because of those guards, it won't fit in a common snare case or bag.

I think the SS was designed for orchestral use, and not necessarily to be part of a drum kit. Mine sounded great, but the Supraphonic and Jazzfests do too! (without any real or perceived annoying features.)

Enjoy! mb

Posted on 2 years ago
#4
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Thank you!

Posted on 2 years ago
#5
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From lloydg01

Hi all.Just wanting to sense check my thoughts on a new kit I’ve got my hands on.Kick 24” x 16” (3082207)High Tom 14” x 10” (3105757)Low Tom 16” x 16” (3081752)The rounded edges badge puts it roughly 1979-1984.

Your serials are firmly in the 80's. Approx. later '82 -'83 is most likely. They are certainly clustered close enough to have come all together.

Posted on 2 years ago
#6
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Thank you!

Posted on 2 years ago
#7
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From lloydg01

Thank you so much for all this information.Yes the four bass legs are the thick original curved ones.In the 1889 catalogue a metal thumbscrew appears on the bass legs - which makes me think the kit came with blank plastic but as we get to 1990’s the owner swapped out for metal.Inside drums there are no other holes or filled in markings so everything else is as original as I can see.

Just did a quick review and saw that the black plastic spur wing nuts were replaced with the chromed/metal ones in the '88 catalog (I attached an image for later reference). I'd agree that replacement of the wingnuts was done at a later time (most likely after cracking one or more of the plastic variants).

I wonder if the the tom mount and tom bracket were swapped because the owner thought the Modular mounts were a 'tone killer' or was done for aesthetics in preference of the ratchet mount? Although gaskets may have minimized or prevent the formation, are there any compression marks on the wrap from a potential prior modular mount present on either the bass or tom?

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Posted on 2 years ago
#8
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I’m with Marty on the Super-Sensitive snare. The snare mechanism was always hitting my leg, too. With those big sizes, I would seek out a deeper snare (6 1/2”), either a supra or any other.

Josh

Posted on 2 years ago
#9
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