Ludwig Gold Sparkle Kit (60's)

Hello,

My friend asked if I would sell his kit for him, but he doesn't really know exactly what it is... and as a guitar player, neither do I. So, I was hoping you guys could provide me insight into what it is and how much it is worth.

Here is all the information I have on it.

He *Claims* that it is a 1960's Ludwig Gold Sparkle Kit, but originally called it a Roger's. The metal parts on the sparkle drums say Ludwig, but the heads say Roger's. I couldn't find anything but a serial number on the inside.

2 Ludwig Toms (12"?)

Ludwig Bass Tom (20"?)

Ludwig Floor Tim (16"?)

*Vintage* Premier snare

Percussion Plus snare

Zildjan high hat set

*Vintage* Zildjan Ride

*Vintage* Zildjan Crash

(all the cymbals have serial numbers etched into them; the vintage ones have them inscribed into the metal but it is not near the center hole like that of the high hat set)

1960s Vintage Ludwig High Hat Stand

1960s Ludwig Speed King Bass Drum

2 snare stands

stands for both toms

legs on floor and bass toms

2 ride stands

music stand

drum bag with mallets, drum and marching sticks

Remo putty

As I said, this all comes from his mouth and what I have seen on the set, so please let me know if you notice any fallacies. Here are pictures:

Thanks for any help!

My son got a set of new beat hi-hats,and I must say they are quite killer!!!

Bass drum definitely 60's Ludwig (White interior and HW is period correct). Looks like 20" also (8-lugs).

Other drums could be Ludwig. Need a closer look. Too bad bottom rims and HW missing.

On the side of all the drums should be an "Airhole" or Vent hole as it's called, around the vent hole should be a metal tag or "badges" that shows the maker or brand of drums. Inside is the serial number that can help describe the year they were made. Different makers used different serial numbers and even Ludwig would use different numbers at different times at different factories so is haphazard at best.

First of all, drum heads are like guitar strings, they can be changed out with different makers heads when ever. So Rodgers heads mean nothing as far as what brand the drums are. I could take the 12" Rodgers head off that set and put it on my Yamaha 12" tom and it's still a Yamaha drum with a Rogers head.

Second, the smallest tom color looks off, like it's not original to the kit, it may still be a Ludwig, just maybe added years later with the closest color sparkle wrap they had then?? The High Hat stand and Speed King pedal seem to make sense. Without close up pics, is hard to tell whether they came with the kit or not and even then is still not an exact science. Is more of those "it looks close to same period" kind of thing.

About the rest of the stands or "hardware" as it's called not sure and would need better pics for a Ludwig person to know as well. The Percussion Plus snare is the weakest link. PP is a entry level, b-line maker of drums from the 80's through 2000? the kind of stuff a middle school student might start on when he starts playing, it could've been "beefed up" with better parts but who knows?

The highest points of the kit are the cymbals. See how the Zildjian logo is the outline of the word 'Zildjian'? This is what's now known as the "Hollow logo Zildjians". These are typically found on true 60's Zildjian cymbals. These were made back before Zildjian's were massed produced at the level where they are now. On cymbals, usually you want to look on the outer edge from about an inch for the center hole or about an inch away from the outer edge for an engraving of the Zildjian logo, It should say something like "Zildjian cymbal Co." made in Turkey or USA with a half moon and star image. This can help with the age of the cymbal as well.

I can't remember if Zildjian had serial numbers back then or if the numbers are a part of some one engraving his cymbals in case they were stolen??

Big demerits are the toms have no bottoms heads or rims or lugs. This is like a classic guitar with missing frets or pickups that are not genuine to the guitar I guess? Or maybe missing a whammy bar that came with the guitar?? Drums with one head were easier to tune, was a popular sound in the 70's, but most drummers today want both heads and the look today is for two headed drums.

Also like other musical instruments, drums lose half their value the minute they are carried out of the music shop door. So "assuming" they are truly Keystone badge Ludwigs (a plus given the Beatles era) BUT they are missing lower heads (a minus) without the original snare. The Premier snare is a great snare made in the UK and can be worked with if you don't like it.

So , over all, a 60's Ludwig 5 piece with no bottom heads but with classic cymbals should maybe fetch around $600 maybe a little more?? Hope this helps! Truly Grant!

To me, the Tom mount looks like a mid-70's mount - I had a mid-60's Ludwig kit and it had a Rail mount for the tom. The top tom does look like a Ludwig, but that is Orange Sparkle rather than the gold (sometimes called "desert sand") sparkle of the rest of the kit. The Kick drum is definitely a 60's drum - per the kick spurs.

I would say that is a bit high simply because you're looking at approximately $250 to put lugs, hoops, and heads just on those matching toms.

I would say you're probably going to be looking at around $450 or so.

I was assuming it was being sold with the cymbals? thanks for Ludwig help! I have only a somewhat knowledge with them.

Thanks so much for the great information!

The off-color tom was in fact added on later. Interesting story actually about these drums actually. The original owner (possible second) cheated on his girlfriend or wife, so she threw him out and sold his stuff, including the kit. My buddy bought it from her for around $300 and so without proper explanation from the real owner, he never could figure out exactly what it was.

I will print out this information and bring it to my friend so he can look it over and decide what to do next. Any more information would be great if someone else comes along, but again, thanks to everyone who has contributed!

You're welcome, but be advised that this is just our opinions. On a second look, I thing Consume is right about them being more 70's looking. This is also assuming everything works right, is no marks or scars on the drums and so on.

Over all will make someone a great starter kit, would be a great kit for a guitarist to have in the practice room or someone that knows, loves and needs the Ludwig drums your friend has.

Could be less than what we say since it's a mix of different drums, no bottom heads and what they're worth versus finding someone that has the money and WANTS to buy those drums is your challenge. I would pass on the drums, but wish I had the cash for those cymbals as a second set for my kit! Would hate to hear that went to somebody that bashes the crap out of them as they will crack and break if not played right, like guitar strings. Anyway, $450 might be all you get, depends on how you sell it and how long you want to wait? Might list it for $500 and then come down to 500 and then 450 or let them counter offer?

With the way musical instruments sell used and the economy, might not get that much right now? Also PLEASE do some research yourself, Google it, take it or show pictures to your local music shop for more answers, look up reviews do your history on the set as well. It may benefit in the long run. Or maybe better close up pics might help someone here?

Well the BD is definitely 60s.

The white interior is a dead give away.

Those mounts are 60s for Big Beat kits as well as later.

What are the badges? Keystone or Blue/Olive? That's the ticket.

I would consider parting this kit out. At least the drums as a set

and cymbals and HW separate. Cymbals could be sweet.

Drums w/ no bottom HW could be trouble unless you like them that way.

Depends on if the bearing edges were abused.

Check individual pricing on eBay. Pretty easy.

I agree w iD4e - a 60's bass drum. Probably an added later mount because of the bass mounted cymbal bracket (you don't usually see those in conjunction with the center tom mount) - which means probably extra holes where you can't see where the rail mount used to be.

Wrap fade on the bass matches the 13 & 16. Add on is a 12 maybe? that's a throw in.

if the bearing edges on the 13 & 16 (assuming it's a 20/13/16) are decent you could get 500-800 for it. Lugs & hoops are fairly easy to come by & would be worth doing even if you went repro.

again bad pics, but 90-100 dollar Premier snare maybe - Speed king & probably an 1123-1 Hi hat are good. Hard to tell on the cymbals, but they look good as well. The rest not so much

with a little love I'd gig that kit on any stage.