The 64 super classic wmp I just sold , was phenomenal , I have not played a better kit must be luck of the draw with wood selection , rerings, bearing edges , skins, assembly , and cob hoops make huge difference
I will be hard pressed to find another one as nice ,
Gary
The first set of drums I ever played was a 3-ply black lacquer Ludwig maple kit. 'That sound' got stuck in my ears and now even 50+ years later it is the sound I use to compare all other drums to. The only other drums I have played (and currently own and play,) is a 58' George Way kit that just kills. Otherwise, vintage Ludwig drums (50's/60's) kick a$$ on just about everything else out there sound-wise. It's all personal taste in the end, but Ludwig is the best in my humble opinion.
John
Because they be good ! I have three Ludwig sets. 1958 Gold Sparkle trans badge, 64-68 Champagne Sparkle, 1980 Silver Sparkle 6 ply maple. The Gold and Champagne are similar in that great warm round singing tone. Just great. The Silver are great too, very resonant, but heavier drums. My first pro drums were Ludwig and these will be the last I part with. I also think Remo Ambassadors batter and resonant side help too.
The classic Gretsch sound is more my bag, but I love Luddies a lot, too. You can’t really get that sound anywhere else, and it hits something deep in the soul, for sure!
I'd take an old beat up Ludwig kit from the 60s over anything new and expensive today. They made musical history and are ingrained in every great song there was.
Exactly! There's a guy down the hall where I rehearse who just spent thousands on a shiney new dw. I told him I'd take my beat up silver sparkle Ludwig over his dw any day of the week. Yes Sir
I bring my '68 Ludwigs to the gig and people say- 'How did you get that 'depth'? The total overall 'sound' is deeper and 'warmer' with a nuance you can't describe....
Oh , and I have a 1964 5 1/2"x14" champagne sparkle Jazz Festival in excellent condition that I love !
My first set was a 1977 Ludwig. Since then I've had modern sets (that the ex made me get rid of) but I agree with this thread, the tone of my old Ludwig has never been matched by the Pearl, Yamaha or PDP sets.
But... I sent this weekend putting new heads on my 1971 Slingerland project and taking my time to tune then right. And I want to say that my vintage Slingerlands also have the "throaty warmth" that my Ludwig set had (and the modern sets don't.) And I know a local guy who deals in restoring vintage drums. He has Ludwig, Slingerland, Gretch, and they all sound good!
Maybe it's the thicker, three ply wood with mahogony, poplar and maple... maybe it's the hand sanding of the bearing edges... the single ply heads. Maybe it's the glue, or the way the wood has aged.
These old drums were made by hand, not by computer-aided presses, so maybe the small "flaws" in them give them a character (like the color and sparkle of a diamond comes from the impurities, not from the carbon.)
No matter what, I much prefer my Slingerland to anything made now. Of course I'll never gig with it. And should I ever get married again, well, the new wife has to understand that THIS set isn't leaving!
