Thank you very much. This kit was a major pain due to the unspoken and very much taboo screw issue...but, it's going together well. I had another drummer friend come over and help me with the long piece of bass wrap. That always goes better with four hands.

I've ordered the front head stickers and tom mount bolts for the kit. I purchased a sweet spur-lok semi-flat Luddy hi-hat this eve. I like the flat Slingerland cymbal stands and snare stand. I picked up a couple more of the Buddy Rich cymbal stands to do a side by side on which I prefer. I never liked the Atlas or Hercules cymbal stands.

Any guidance on the heads and snare choice for that 61 Blue Sparkle Super Classic? I am hoping someone has already done the homework on this one. I've never owned one and really have no idea how it sounds. I've played and owned bunches of Luddy snares through the years, but never one of these. It's got that WFL throwoff and I have no idea how sensitive that thing is. Any help would be cool.

Thanks! I sincerely LOVE teaching, but man...do I ever need a break at years end. Ouch. I push six days a week. I start at 4:30 in the morning and work till about 8:00 or 9:00 at night. It's an hours drive home and I sleeeeeeeeep till the 4:30 alarm. It's a bit tiring. So, this break is very nice. I've immersed myself in these projects to totally take myself away from my studies. Teaching is not my first career. I started teaching in 2005. I've already done the military thing, the computer systems engineer thing, the network engineer thing, blah blah blah etc etc etc. Now I'm a teacher. Cool. I've played drums my whole life. So, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I'm playing. I remember vividly the second time my ship pulled into Panama, I walked until I found music. I sat in with the group. Couldn't understand a word they were speaking, but man...we communicated. Totally cool experience. Very similar experience in Guatemala, too. Man, I love playing.

Kit looks great! Gotta go with Luddy stands though, I'll take those off your hands.

Man, that is some beautiful work. I have never really looked at the gold sparkle before now, but it is calling to me. Fantastico!

I've got 'proper' flat Luddy stands. I just like the Slingy stands better. I set them up for the final pics with the Luddy stands but I play the Slingy hardware. No ideas why, I just like 'em better. It's a feel thing, I guess. I will photo the kit with Luddy stands, though.

I've finally finished this kit. Mendozart, I sincerely hope that it meets with your approval. I worked hard to honor the shells you passed on to me.

This is my gigging kit.

It's a 22x14, 13x9, 16x16 (originally Silver Sparkle that begged to be pulled and covered with Gold Sparkle - who am I to argue...). I also located an original Ludwig bass spike thingy for the front. That was tough to track down. I wanted it to actually say "Ludwig" on it. Took me ten forevers to find it.

The snare is a 1963 Ludwig Super Classic in original Blue Sparkle (red baseball bat muffler that works like a dream, nickel hardware, and a wonderful PureSound snare that was purchased from a gent on this forum). It has been fitted with the new SkynTone batter and a Renaissance snare side. Wonderful blend.

The hardware is from the Slingerland flat base line which are my favorites. I love these stands. I realize it's not appropriate, but this stuff is cool. I have the Ludwig hardware (Atlas)...I just don't like it as much.

The cymbals are just some goofy pies I had laying around. They look appropriate on this kit so I took the picture with this setup. Typical hammered skinny models! Sheesh...like being in L.A.

Now, to stick 'em in the cases and go about banging!

Woo-Hoo!!!

D' Drummer

What paint did you use on the hoops. I've loved watching this set come together. It looks great. Gold sparkle is slowly becoming my favorite sparkle color.

Those are Ludwig original stock hoops with some gold inlay that I put in. I still have the natural hoops for giggles. I will swap 'em back and forth to keep 'em all guessing. The fun never ends for us drummers.