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Ludwig Stainless Steel

Posts: 442 Threads: 102

Hi guys!

Hope you all had a great christmas, a good time with family and friends, and a lot of great food (at least that's what I had :-) )

Back to topic:

I just bought a 1970s Ludwig Stainless Steel kit, which I will receive shortly, sizes are 22BD-13TT-14TT-16FT-18FT, all toms double headed.

Here's my two questions (for now):

- what's your head recommendations? I know, most is up to personal taste, but since I have NO experience WHAT SO EVER with those drums, is there a certain choice of heads that the stainless drums work best with? I've seen a lot of pictures with Remo Pinstripes, my intuitive choice would have been coated Emperors for the Toms, and a Powerstroke for the Kick. any ideas?!

- the drums i bought most possibly are from my year of birth (1978), so that's cool. Since I love keeping track of all kinds of information concerning the drums i have: Does anybody have information at what price those drums were sold initially? would love that info!

Cheers, Michael

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 18 Threads: 0

Stainless Ludwig toms with Remo CS clear/black dot, top and bottom, sounds really good- very Bonzo-esque.

Coated Emperors would also be a good choice, as you mentioned. with either coated or clear Ambassadors on bottom.

For the bass drum, Remo CS, or PS3 would both be good choices for batters, depending on whether you want a Bonzo sound (CS) or a more modern, low-end sound (PS3). For the resonant head, my pick would be a smooth white Ambassador with a period-correct logo, and a felt strip.

Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Don't put pinstripes on them, go coated or smooth Remo Emperor top head, and ambassadors coated or smooth on the bottom, For the bass drum a coated Ambassador or smooth on the front and powerstroke3 on the back of the bass drum. Stainless steel sounding like no other material, they are my all time favorite drums. The coated heads will give you more warmth the coated more attack sound wise !

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 2010 Threads: 19

Sounds like you have a "Pro Beat" set with a 22" bass substituted for the usual 24".

1975 list price for a Stainless Pro Beat (as cataloged with 24" bass) was $1340. With the 22" it was probably a little less, figure if it were bought "right" there would have been around a 30% discount (I used to get stuff from Franks drum Shop at 30% off list around that time). Seems pretty reasonable in today's dollars but that was a lot of money to most people at the time.

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Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 635 Threads: 33

When I had the SS 24,13,16,18 set, I 1st went with Remo clear CS and then switched to coated Emperors with coated Ambassador reso's. To me the Emperors sounded better overall but for more volume the clear CS black dot heads won out. In 1980, the last year of production, a 4pc. Stainless Steel kit cost 3 mo's of Army private pay which was $552.00 a month.

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 154 Threads: 37

Hi and welcome to the Ludwig stainless steel family.

Listen to vintagemore2000 he knows his SS.

I've tried them all and ended with coated ambassador on reso and coated emperor on batter.

Are you getting a a snare with it? LM 400 or 402?

On mine (LM400) I ended up putting a coated ambassador on top and clear ambassador snare on bottom and I'm very pleased with the sound.

Good luck with your new SS kit.

Please post some pictures when you get around to it.

Loud 70's Ludwig 24-13-14-16-18 Pro-Beat Stainless steel

__________________________
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Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 89 Threads: 1

I've had great results with coated Attack mediums above and clears below.

Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

you guys are making me want a ss set hmmmm bonzo here i go

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 442 Threads: 102

From vintagemore2000

Don't put pinstripes on them, go coated or smooth Remo Emperor top head, and ambassadors coated or smooth on the bottom, For the bass drum a coated Ambassador or smooth on the front and powerstroke3 on the back of the bass drum. Stainless steel sounding like no other material, they are my all time favorite drums. The coated heads will give you more warmth the coated more attack sound wise !

That's my thoughts exactly... Cool1

Was thinking about pinstripes as i said, because i saw many pics with SS Drums and PS heads....

I shall post pics of the drums as soon as I have them! really looking forward to them!

Thanks for the input guys, very helpful as usual, very much appreciated!! Clapping Happy2

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 442 Threads: 102

From Bigdrummie

Are you getting a a snare with it? LM 400 or 402?

No, but I do have a 402 of the same year (i think) at home, that will be a great rock kit!!

Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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