The kit you've always wanted...

So, it's weird.

I love vintage drums -- I've always owned at least one. My first snare drum was a Blue-Olive Supraphonic (have one again as my go-to). One of my first kits was a 60's Rogers Tower Delta setup. (10 points if you know what that is.)

Ever since I sold my last vintage kit I've wanted another one, and I was in love with the 60's Ludwig sound. Here's what I ended up getting:

1966 Ludwig Sky Blue Pearl 13-16-22. It's a great sounding set, and in very good shape.

My other kit is a Tama Starclassic birch, and I love it. I have played on modern Ludwig Classic Maples in the past and they just haunt me. I'm finding myself wishing for some of the modern features when I'm playing these. This DRIVES ME NUTS because I LOVE THE SOUND! But I can't see gigging with these unless I was in a jazz group (which I might have a lead on, but still...)

It sucks. I was so sure this was the kit I've always wanted. It appears this one might not be sticking around -- maybe I do want a new set of Classic Maples, after all. If I'd known that before I bought these, I could have saved myself a step.

They look sweet

I think you will get over it when you play them more.

which modern features are you missing?

my guess would be BD spurs and rack tom mounting situation. Other than that I can't think of much that has changed since the 60s (besides bearing edges and shell construction of course-- but you don't buy an old kit if you want the new {censored}!)

what is it man?

COMMUNIST! GET THAT FRONT HEAD OFF and put on one with correct logo...the sweet little petite Ludwig script. I used to have it on my 66-67 gold sparkles...reminds me of home...

it never ends

I have a 1968 gold sparkle Ludwig kit and the bass drum spurs are just awful. I have the thing Ringo used to use on the bottom of the front head, which helps. The drums sound terrific, but I gig about every week or so, and they just don't hold up like my DW or my new Ludwig Classic Maple.

That's a geat looking kit though mate.

very cool looking lfg.

You're exactly right. Tom positioning/tightening is a bear, and this kit's spurs are the wrong ones so they are worse than the stock Ludwigs. They work, and they fit into the original mounts, so no extra holes, but still aren't going to be what I want them to be.

THESE DRUMS SOUND AWESOME. This is really tough.

don't get rid of them...you'll be sorry...I was...I still have the snare from '64. It's in bad shape but it's still the one I call my baby...

You think a RIMS mount or snare stand might help? Snare stands always feel perfect for me. As for the spurs, since they're already bastardized, why not find a better pair that'd fit the hole?

+1 on the snare stand. Work like a dream and gives the kit a cool vibe. I have the original spurs and like I said, they are terrible. (Not terrible for the time they were released but certainly in comparison to modern kits.) If you already have spurs that aren't original, why the hell not put on some modern spurs?

CEM- you're playing a 70s Ludwig Standard, correct? Any issues playing live with it?

If the drums sound awesome, find a way to keep them. I put a couple of bricks in front of the bass drum of my old Ludwig set (not classic, just a Rockers, but the spurs are broken)

That's a nice looking kit, though

you got that right. I also used to tie a rope around the spurs and slip it around my throne base. Now THAT's the classic old school look...I also had the bass drum anchor that Ringo used to use as well...only I pulled the anchor spikes and put big honkin' sawed off nails in them as well. Needless to say, my kick never moved...

I haven't gigged it yet (i can't begin to describe how dry the scene is around here). In my bedroom the spurs work like a charm, but man do i not trust them. They're basically metal toothpicks that pop out of the sides of the kick. I've taken it out to a rehearsal studio, but that was carpeted as well. So in theory, it might work fine if i've got a rug of some sort.

Like I said, existing spurs are in the original mounts, easily swapped out for correct ones that would be better. I am NOT about to drill holes for "modern" spurs.

I've done the snare stand thing, just don't like the positioning.

Carmine, I have a pre-serial Jazz Fest (pre '63) that I think I'm likely keeping. I had it up for sale and had no serious bites, and it's really a great drum.

I'm going to give it another day on the kit. I may just need to recoup my investment to put it toward a kit I will have no second thoughts about.

keep them, save your pennies for another kit. I wasn't even looking when I found my Classic Maple 4 pc. luddies, once I saw them I snatched them up.

nothing wrong with 2 (or 3) kits unless space is an issue.

I agree, but this kit makes 2 and that's really all I need. If I got another kit one would have to go -- and if I got the kit I WANT, I can be sure that this is the one I'd sell anyway. So if I sell this one now I get a new one sooner. You follow my logic.

I'm a guitar player too, so my drum fund is really a drum and guitar fund -- another acoustic is in my future at some point too.

IF you've got the money, go for it. If you can save up and it won't break the bank...go for it. Personally I think if you KNOW you want something, and you've always wanted it, find a way to get it, because you'll be happy with it. Then make some beautiful music.

LFG, try flying the tom off a stand. you can use a tom arm or get a gauger mount or whatever.

I was having trouble with bass drum creep with one of my old kits wot had {censored}ty spurs. the fix came when I played it with my axis pedal which just happens to have industrial strength velcro hooks on the bottom of the plate. clamped down good'n'tight I had NO creep through 3 sets of soul crushing covers.

Okay so you love the sound of the kit. But there's some flaws. It sounds like you want to keep it and didn't but it for resale. So, three holes in an inconspicuous place on each side of the kick for some spurs is not a huge deal. You can use the existing tom holder on the bass drum already and get a new 1" diameter tom holder and new mount with a rims mount and your ready to get to the gig. Or you can suspend the tom from a cymbal stand with a rims mount. (I don't like the snare stand idea either, it chokes the sound of the drum to have it sitting on a stand like that)

That's my take on it. If you bought them for sentimental reasons and you can afford it, keep he kit and get something you can gig with.

Okay, I;ve got my {censored} screen up so let it fly for suggesting drilling holes in the kick drum.

...found this thread and am still sure glad you had mixed feelings about that kit J.

I dinna know they came to live in bawlmer!

I know of three vintage kits that are just sitting around i'd love to have.
1 - 1960's Rodgers tri tom, it's pearl white, inside of shells are painted. I used to play side by side with this guy in an Outlaws type band back in the late 1970's it's a sweet looking, and sounding kit and dosen't play anymore.
2 & 3,,, these kits sit in an attic, and haven't been used since the 1970's. I went to school with the owners brother. Ones a Gretch Catalina 5 piece,and the others a 11 piece Ludwig. this guy has never played them in 30 yrs, and wouldn't even let me look at them. I'll bet they are still up in his dads attic to this very day. What a bummer!!!

Now the kit's i always wanted is a Stainless steel Ludwig, or I'll take Tamas new version of them, but at an asking price of 10G's I'll just dream on. Vistalites were on my list for many years, Sonors, Ludwigs,Tama's, but after seeing how they don't handle to riggors of the road well, I figured on looking for an DW, or a Roland V-Pro, any how there 6 g's I'd be burning, and probably looking at a divorce. she has commented on something about 3 kits, Percussion toys and a PA system isn't enough?????