Help!!! Pricing of 1996 4 ply Ludwig Classic Kit

hey folks!!! im new to this board and i need help.

ive had the same pearl export kit for 10 years. i have been searching and wanting a new kit for some time that would be a step up. i found and tested a kit that this dude had, a 1996 ludwig classic. maple. 4 ply. the kick sounds amazing. hes not offering the snare but everything else. it has hard cases too, the kinda cardboard esque floppy kinds, and a number of different size toms.

he wants $900. i am thinking i can get it for $800. ugh is this too much????

That sounds about right to me. $800 would be even better.

One way to easily find a price that is close or a "good" deal is to find the new price of what it was and take about half. As for my personal opinion on that price, i think it is way overpriced. 400-500 sounds good for me.

I had to do a little web surfing before I answered and I found out:

Ludwig "Classics" series were up frrom their entry line, which are now called Accent (entry) line.

Retail (which nobody pays unless they're a dummy) price of a 96 Ludwig Maple Classic 5 piece set was $2100. SO $900 is less than half that. But I bet he didn't pay retail for the set new! Plus the set's over ten years old now AND he's keeping the snare so I would then push for 800 to 700. Of course he has the hard cases. but you said they were "cardboard" like so they are "cheaper" hard cases.

So this guy isn't really raking you over the coals, BUT he ain't really giving you a 'great' deal either at $900. Sounds like an okay deal that may get better if you haggle more with him. Also I think 96 was during the years that Ludwig was having management and quality control problems. Now if you're totally in love with this set and are just in awe then $900 would be a great price for a set that's great for you. But then you still got to get a damn snare!

Also for $900, you could get a *NEW* Pearl Reference, Yamaha Tour Custom, Gretch Catalina, Taye, Sonor Force 3005 etc and they would have a snare! I would also bet that you could find a really nice "upgraded set" used Like a Yamaha Recording Custom and the like for $900 maybe.

I hope this helps and let us know how it goes!

Pearl Reference for $900!? Where!? Not to be a poop head, but I think that would be an Export for that kind of money.

Any of those kits would be great though.

Yeah, I was about to comment on the Pearl Reference statement. Those things would be nearly impossible to find for $900 (maybe from a really really stupid person) but definately not in a store.

Sorry my bad, guess I need to search Pearl now as well. What is the next Pearl series up from the Exports? I thought Exports were around $650-700 and then Pearl had something around the $1000 range??

Wow! just searched Pearl and Musicians Friend. Exports are $700-800 on line now! I guess I meant the Vison series, it says they're based on the Reference and Masters series. They also have a Export Custom now that is Maple shells.

Katyott: are you wanting to upgrade because you don't like the Exports or just wanting to upgrade for something new? Looking for a certain wood or certain sizes??? What kind of music you play? Because it seems the Vison, Export Custom would be a different type of set but not really much of an upgrade from the Export.

Are Pearl ELX's part of the Export line??

hey guys!!! well, i got him down to 800 so i feel ok about it. they sound awesome and look awesome. now, i have a new question.....my old bandmate wants to buy my old export kit off me, and i want to give her a fair price. ive played it 11 years, its toured w me and some of the rims are slightly bent.....but it has all new heads and is solid. is 350-400 about right? i could give her some hardware, but probably not my snare. pls advise.

what is a good snare to go with the ludwig classics?

i hope i wasnt had by the dude. i am glad i went 800 though.

Pics?

I'ts hard to tell values without pics or a description. Is is a 4 piece, 5 piece, etc., lacquer, wrapped finish, standard sizes? Hardware?

As for a snare, get a Ludwig Supraphonic, new or used. Or a Ludwig Acrolite.

Plus 100 on Supraphonic and Acrolite:thu:

I used to have a 70's Supraphonic and recently got a used Acrolite. The Supra is a ten lug and is able for more fine tuning, the Acrolite is true spun Aluminium shell that doesn't rust.

Both are "workhorse" snares. Meaning that these snares are easy to tune and maintain. They are like old Honda's, just pull them out of the shed, slap some new heads on them, tune a little and have an above decent snare. THese snares have been the most recorded during the late 60's to the mid 80's. Ludwig toms sound great with Ludwig snares! Good Luck:)