Who are your favorite drummers, what brand and year, color, etc, this will answer a lot of your questions! Do you have good availability in the UK of vintage ludwigs?the sixties white interior years are warm and focused sounding, the late 60's early 70's clear interior 3 ply shells are my favorite ludwig shell they are focused and clean sounding! have you thought about slingerlands?

Thanks for your message. There seems to be a fairly limited flow of old ludwigs for sale in the uk.... I've found a few sites I've got my eye on.

So the late 60's, early 70's shells are thicker? Not quite so ringy I'm guessing?..

Also someone mentioned the inner shells unvarnished is better for governing the condition of the drum?...

I have thought about slingerlands but there seems to be even fewer for sale than luddies!!!

Colourwise it got to be white marine, champagne sparkle or black oyster I reckon!!

Your welcome, No the later ludwig shells are actually thinner than the early to mid 60's ludwigs! but if you are able to play both do so, What I like you may not? I also like your color selections,! good luck,!

If it were me, I would look for 3 ply maple/poplar/maple with the clear interiors. Around 1970.

That's great, thanks for your help guys!

I narrowly missed out on a '70 white marine super-classic the other day...gutted. It looked/sounded perfect too!!

I like thin shells so I'll look for a later kit.

Thanks.