Various vendors sell vinyl lettering cut to the right size that you can stick on any head you like. Most vintage Ludwig front heads were smooth white, not coated. The logo was also fairly small. The originals were water slide decals (which would not stick well to coated heads). In the past I have made my own decals using an ink jet printer and decal paper but most folks just get the vinyl ones.

I've used Attack smooth white heads for this as they are the least expensive and are similar in construction to the 60's Ludwigs. I can't see paying more for the Ludwig heads with a logo I'm only going to peel off anyhow. I've removed the attack stamp with acetone and added the Ludwig decal. Worked well.

Here's a comparison of a vintage logo with one of the new ones that Ludwig sells (this was taken a few years back before they added the "USA").

Thanks. Were the original Ludwig heads greyish and slightly translucent as some have reported the new heads to be? If so I'd like to apply the lettering to a Ludwig head for greater authenticity. Are there any sellers of the logo lettering that you would recommend? Back in the day I generally used Remo Ambassador BD heads so I'm not familiar with the Ludwigs.

The 60's Ludwig heads had a few variations. Some were translucent and some were not. I've got originals on most all of my kits. White/cream was the overall look to them.

Mike

Try awdrums.com they have a huge range of decals. I got that very Ludwig one from them, sans "USA".

Thanks. I'll check it out

If you already have one of the new ones,the USA can be removed because it is a decal.Just carefully use an exactly knife to pick up a corner and then pull it off.The USA is a separate decal from the LUDWIG.You can also get more period correct Ludwig logos from JACK LAWTON at LAWTON DRUMS.Jim

Thanks for the info. So the USA is actually a separate decal? Interesting. I'll also check out Lawton

Thanks. I really prefer not to get a translucent head.

The logos on the Ludwig heads are the same sort of vinyl as the aftermarket ones so they will peel off (or any individual part of them can be peeled). In my experience the factory applied ones are usually slightly crooked on the head, another reason to apply your own (although getting it perfectly straight and centered can be tricky).

If you're wanting to recreate the look of the originals the most important thing would be the size. These come in various sizes from the various sources but the originals were fairly small. I know Jack Lawton sells the correct size. Others probably do too.

Here's one of the decals I made put on an Attack head. If I had any of these decals left I'd send you one but I've used them all up and don't have any of the proper materials on hand to make more.