Hi All,

I wanted to share this kit with you all because I think you'll appreciate it. Two years ago I bought this kit from Music-Go-Round online for $600.! The kit is a one-of-a-kind set.

1. It is wrapped in Burgundy sparkle. Ludwig didn't start using Burgundy until later, during the 60's. This drum is date stamped; Jan. 24, 1959 and the wrap goes -into- the scarf joint. Not a re-wrap. And... Jan. 24th (1949) happens to be my birthday! So it is a 'Birthday Kit' for me as well.

2. The bass drum is 18"x20" with four straight-leg spurs, 2 in front, 2 in back. Not too many factory made bass drums (in this size) from the 1950's out there. Mostly those size shells were used to make 20" floor toms. I'm sure some were converted into bass drums over the years, but this one is an original 'factory job'. No extra holes anywhere.

3. I wrote to Wm. Ludwig Jr. inquiring about this truly oddball kit and he informed me that it was likely a special order made through a local Ludwig dealership. Many of the dealers in those days would make custom modifications in-store, using ludwig shells/drums.

By any measure, this kit is a one-off. I sold it to an up and coming jazz-player about 10 months ago. I buy and sell a lot of drums so I don't form many strong emotional attachments to drums/kits that I purchase. This one I miss. 3-ply mahogany shells w/rock maple re-rings. "The" quintessential Classic drum sound. Very warm, FAT-city and resonant.

Enjoy... I know I did!

John