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Ludwig Rockers

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The Rocker USA series, despite the fact that they share the same shells as the Super Classic/Classic du jour with the Standard lugs, are not really collectable, though I suspect at SOME point, they might be.

As to what to do with yours: I'd either PROPERLY rewrap or veneer them. In some cases, I've seen the wrap come off clean and expose a decent maple veneer that warrants a nice lacquer finish, which is not your case, unfortunately.

If you want to assure possible future collectablity, then I'd use a period-correct wrap. If you don't care, then knock yourself out.

One of my favorite kits that I own is a '90 6-ply Rocker kit. It saw a ton of gigs, and the WMP wrap that I ordered is shrinking and splitting all over the place because it wasn't glued-down. Eventually, when I get a chance (uh huh..... right), I'd like to do the same. I actually have the original WMP pattern waiting to rewrap these (y'know, the trapezoidal pattern that Ludwig was famous for, now called "White Onyx"). Someday.....

JR Frondelli
www.frondelli.com
www.dbmproaudio.com

Mediocre is the new "good"
Posted on 12 years ago
#11
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x-mas3 This is just my two cents worth, but that's what your after right? Your shells look really good and I love the natural finish look. I have gotten blotches of glue off before as I'm sure you have as well. I can just see in my mind what these would look like. Absolutly beautiful! You can wrap them at a later date too, if you so desire. It would cerntainly be alot of work but very rewarding for you....Joe

Posted on 12 years ago
#12
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Progress Report...

Been working on my Rockers set (waiting on parts for the Slingerland Jet reproduction, so I had to work on something!!), and other than needing a couple more coats of clear gloss on the outside, these are just about ready to put back together.

I got a LOT of wood veneer CHEAP, so I thought I'd give it a try on this set. No, I'm not staying "original," but these will be players drums anyway. The veneer is natural Cherry, and I think it's turning out real well. Of course I'll have to re-drill the holes through the veneer (there are no extra holes).

The sizes of the drums are 16x24, 16x18, and 13x14. I put in one "before" pic and the others are as they are now...

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 12 years ago
#13
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That's going to be a beautiful kit Bill. Good job!

Posted on 12 years ago
#14
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Bill the cherry looks nice! I did consider using cherry on my Rocker kit but as you know ened up with maple. I cant wait to see yours with all the chrome. Did you say the veneer was a peel and stick? You will be surprized how good they will sound too!

Jeff C


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 12 years ago
#15
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87
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Hey Bill those look great! Grain looks really cool on each. Nice size shells too!!

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 12 years ago
#16
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Thanks guys for the positive comments!

Jeff -- yes, this is the "peel-and-stick" stuff I had told you about. I took some pics of my "stock."

In picture 1, all of those rolls you see are 24" by 8'. There are also 3 or 4 more rolls that are partial rolls (not pictured). As you can see, some of it's prefinished and some not. I used some unfinished cherry for the Rockers.

BTW -- got all of this for $10!!

In picture 2, what's left out of the three sheets of cherry I used. I think I could have done it with 2 sheets, but this way there was only one seam on the floor tom and bass drum.

Picture three just shows the back side of a scrap piece.

Bill

3 attachments
Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 12 years ago
#17
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Well for ten bucks why worry about getting the best yeild. Great score on the veneer, you will be wrapping drums for a long time. Too bad you didnt live closer, I would be happy to spray the Rockers for ya. BTW, I bought the Fibes snare drum tonight, ye ha

Jeff


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 12 years ago
#18
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I've been watching this thread closely. I'm not sure if you guys know I've got a 'challenged' early Rocker kit myself. I haven't gotten to it yet though... I think it's going to be next. Somebody painted it flat black, I think they painted over the wrap, but I'm not sure. I hope they did anyway. I'm pretty sure what I'll be doing is more of that glitter blast stuff.

That veneer looks great, Bill. Jeff; it's kinda good you live half a country away. If you were close you'd get sick of me pretty darn quick, since I'd be bugging you every fifteen minutes for advice! Sailing2

fishwaltz
Posted on 12 years ago
#19
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Self-stick veneer?OH YES,I can see it now,those Rockstars in my garage in Walnut or Cherry.Where you get?

Posted on 12 years ago
#20
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