I see factory original 13/16/20 configurations all the time. In fact, I see more of them on craigslist than I do 12/14/20 and 13/16/22 kits.

2) My serials are as follows…

13x9 tom: 752332

16x16 tom: 750334

20x14 kick: 752319

I haven't found anyone else who has any 750xxx-era pointed B/O badge drums. I can't seem to figure out whether these were made in very late 1969 or early 1970. I'll also note that the kick has the arch rail mount assembly, which doesn't seem to be common in other 70s models.

Would love some guidance from some of you vintage Ludwig geniuses![/QUOTE]

Hi!!

I.M.H.O. you're right about date...

According to "published" serial num. ranges, you may assume that your shells are from nov-dec 69 or even beginning of 70´s

But even better is to find some shell from the same range, dated inside, in order to compare.Cool1

Caddywumpus, that's encouraging. I actually found a few 13/16/20 kits today as well after I changed the way I searched for them. The size combo does seem to be rare, but people seem to really like them… and even pay more for them. Esp drummers in the UK. I personally wish the kick was a 22". Possibly going to sell because of that, but wanted to make sure I wasn't selling a mismatched kit first.

Heraldo, thanks for the help. I'm on the lookout for shells in that same date-range.

The shells and wraps are in great shape. 1 of my tom rims is warped and a few are a bit rusty. Is it faux pas to replace them with new ones? I think I've found identical ones -- 1.6mm Triple Flange hoops by Cannon. Very affordable and from what I extract from other vintage Luddy fans, they're seemingly identical to the original hoops. Thoughts on this?

I, too, have a Ludwig pointy badge B/O in a 20/13/16 configuration.

20x14 Date stamp: Feb 10 1971 Serial no: 826909

16x16 Date stamp: Feb 11 1971 Serial no: 867413

9x13 Date stamp: Feb 16 1971 Serial no: 796986

Sounds like you have a nice kit there. Enjoy them!

Here is a photo of mine - also with the rail mount.

Here's my theory:

13/16/20 very well might be rarer than 12/14/20, 13/16/22, and 12/13/16/22 configurations, but they might be more present in the local marketplace because people buy them to use until they find a "catalog" setup, at which point they resell them. Just a speculation.

GWM, nice looking kit! What heads are you using? I have coated Ambassadors on top and clears Ambassadors on bottom. I'm about to put some clear Emperors on top though… have had a difficult time getting the Ambassadors to sound the way I want. I think it's probably my rims though… there's some warping there. Posted a pic of my kit below.

Caddywumpus, probably a decent theory. That's kind of the boat I'm in right now. We'll see after I replace the heads and hoops. I may fall in love with them all over again.

ALL, would you guys be leery of purchasing a vintage Ludwig kit that had identical replacement hoops? If so, why?

[IMG]http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af215/kgcummings_01/IMG_0937.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=kgcummings;274765]GWM, nice looking kit! What heads are you using? I have coated Ambassadors on top and clears Ambassadors on bottom. I'm about to put some clear Emperors on top though… have had a difficult time getting the Ambassadors to sound the way I want. I think it's probably my rims though… there's some warping there. Posted a pic of my kit below.

I've currently got Ambassadors top and bottom with an Aquarian Super-Kick II on the bass. I've also set them up with Aquarian Modern Vintage which are great heads and to my ear, even a little warmer.

Yours is a beautiful kit in fantastic shape. Congratulations.

Nice looking kit. It looks like that cymbal mount is in a odd place.