Hello. I found this place today when I googled ludwig black panther. I voted yes as desirable because....to me they are! I own 3 kits, date stamped 71-73, clear interiors with minimal finish damage. They are not mint, but above average for a vintage players kit. I outfitted them with after market rims because the originals were in bad shape. To me, they are unique and made me an affordable, EXCELLENT sounding gigging kit (many compliments from sound guys). Currently the gig line up is 10/12/14/16/22 and 70s 5x14 supra or 90s acrolite. I rotate the kicks as volume requirements change.
Bass: 24, 22, 20
Fl. tom: 18, 16, 14
Tom: 14, 13, 12, 10, 6 (6&10 have gray interiors)
snare: 6x15 (needs to be refurbished)
shell w/o hardware: 9x13, 10x14
Recently, I committed a sin with the 10" tom. As you know, it is a concert tom...or was. As a single headed tom, it was useless to me as an instrument. So I converted it to a double headed tom to match the rest of the drums aesthetically and tonally. It is no longer a dusty shelf dweller. I figured, it is mine as long as I'm alive...let the next guy complain.
Now, I'm keeping my eyes open for an 8" concert tom and possibly a second 22" kick.
lvd