Hi JM,

I'm no expert but I can tell you I have two sets of Standards in blue strata and having had numerous kits from all the big reputable manufacturers they are the best sounding drums I own. Whether is sentimental or just personal preference you can't go wrong with these. I've never had a problem with the hardware and if a insert falls in the lug which happens it's an easy fix. My Standard 14" FT is the best I've ever heard and I get many comments on it. My "downbeat" Standard in blue strata has resacoat interiors...no idea why but I think it happened on occasion. You'll even find them with standard classic lugs in some cases. If you get them cheap heck why not? Great drums in my opinion and the finishes are unique. With the kit you mentioned it comes in the downbeat config....I'd scoop it if your close to that area.

V

Standards are every bit as cool as Classics, in my opinion. But, yes, the Classic hardware was more "deluxe" I guess you could say. It also was more labor-intensive to polish because of the contours and grooves in them. Standard lugs were smooth and easy to polish and so cost less to make. Functionally, they worked as well as any lug.

The shells were exactly the same as the ones used on Classics, but by the time they came out, in 1968, Ludwig was starting to use clear maple interiors on the Classic line. So, they chose the shells that were cosmetically "smoother" and more h o m ogenous in their color for the Classic line and the less-perfect-LOOKING 3-ply shells got the Granitone paint. Some of the earliest ones had white-painted interiors. Ludwig was well known to use up their inventory and the Standard line was no exception. I've seen Standards with Classic lugs and white painted interiors! In fact the first set of real drums that I ever was allowed to play was a Ruby Strata set with white interiors and Classic lugs. That's how I know!