So I was asked to sit in with a local community band and when I went into the back room to get out the percussion equipment, buried behind their modern 5-piece chrome Pearl set was a red sparkle, keystone-badged Ludwig Downbeat (12" tom, 14" Club Date FT, 20" bass, and 4x14 Downbeat snare). We decided to set it up to use for the rehearsal session rather than the Pearl kit. It was pretty beat up and needed new heads, but still sounded decent. Baseball bat tone controls were present, but unfortunately, the bass and tom were modified with the ubiquitous Pearl mounts which we see on too many vintage kits. Snare and FT were unmolested.

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I told the conductor that the kit was actually a desirable vintage set and asked if they would consider parting with them. Not being a Ludwig guy, I have no idea what a fair price appraisal would be for this kit given the mods to the tom and bass, along with the mismatched Club Date FT.

Appreciate any opinions from you Ludwig guys.

Mike