About 4 years ago I acquired a set of 6 ply Ludwig shells 22/13/16. They looked to be originally natural wood (maple) finish. Someone had ripped off all the hardware and slopped some kind of walnut stain all over them ... pitiful. I didn't want them because I knew it would be a lot of work and I'd end up investing more money in them than I could ever get back when the time come to sell ... but it's a labor of love and for 40 bucks I just couldn't walk away.

Found the WFL 6 1/2 X14 pioneer snare on ebay for $125 - shell dated May 57 with a bad paint job. I eventually pieced together all of the hardware I needed. Got the Ludwig ST mounting and FT leg hardware on a deal from a guy on Reverb. A guy named Rudy I met at the Chicago drum show last year give me a good deal on the tom hoops, BD and tom lugs, spurs + mufflers. I had some WFL nickel and chrome BD claw hardware that I used. Plus a few other parts and details here and there.

My daughter is an artist who does a lot of "tattoo type" artwork I find interesting. I just kind of turned her loose on the shell artwork. I think it grows on you and I like it.

I still need a Ludwig blue olive badge for the FT and need to reinstall the beat up original BD badge but other than that I'm pretty much done. Still have more invested than it's worth but it's been a fun project and has kept this old man busy for awhile.

Drum Doug

What do you guys think ? All positive and negative comments appreciated - you won't hurt my feelings ;-)