Wow!! What a find! Check this link for a good picture... http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/ludwig_sets/1984_ludwig_drumsets1.jpg

It does sound like a factory wrap on these drums. Ludwig sure wanted to move what they had!

Why were you removing the wrap in the first place? Did it come off easily? Appears that it wasn't glued to the shell.

Here's the tough part. If this drum completes the customer's kit, he may need it to match. However, what I'd do is explain how rare this is and to find another tom shell to move all the parts over to. Another option is to obtain another 16x16 Ludwig tom and install the wrap on that one. You could also custom build a Ludwig-style tom. Lots of options here.

I know if this was mine, I'd install all the original hardware and keep the drum. If I really didn't need it, or wasn't interested in it, I'd offer it up for sale. I've no doubt there are lots of Ludwig collectors who would want this in their collection!

Mark

Cool find. Does he have the rest of the kit? Wonder if more of those shells might be wrapped over?? I agree with Mark I'd put the hardware on it and keep it with the kit. And look for a replacement to add if the rest stay wrapped as is. I never saw those Eagle inlay shells before. Did the whole 75th anniversary kit have the inlays or just certain drums in the kit?

The owner purchaced the shells off of e-bay to wrap to match his kit. The are from the time period where they were taping the seams, and sticking on the covering sparingly. The laquer over the shell is cracking a little bit, but the inlay is real wood, so it could be sanded and refinished relatively easily. I am planning to send an e-mail to the owner soon, and get his input. If I were him, I would keep it as is, and find another, but it is his drum after all. I just want to know how hard I should pry on him to keep it original? I'm not sure how many of these are around.

great story. please convince him to get another shell. thats just too neat!

mike

He is a pretty cool guy, I am doing a few drums for him including this one. I might just have to offer to do a little labor trading for this one if he is interested.

It would be a restoration sin to recover that beautiful shell in maroon wrap; like covering a Rogers Wildwood shell in Mojave Red. That wood was meant to be seen.

Someone once found a non selling, makeing it rare, wrap, under one of those wraps !i Maybe ckeck the scarf joint to see ?

I just heard back from the owner, He agrees to not recover it! He is trying to get more info on it, so if you guys have any insight, let me know.

Thanks, Ryan

That is just amazing that that drum would be wrapped. The inlay and finish look beautiful.

B