I remember when they came out with that logo... I always liked the previous one better, I guess because of the Ringo thing... and it was funny how the old one never really went away, they used both.

There was stuff like that obnoxious bass drum hoop mounted ratchet that every high school had and never used in a song... those had the old logo way after '68, maybe because they were still selling off the batch they made in 1957...

And the drumheads, brushes and bags that sticks came in all had the old logo for a long time after that, some never changed.

Hi,

For me--in a light hearted tone--that was when the rot set in. Nice to have it fixed in time for 1969. Never cared for the then new graphics. Keystone is a fairly classic image in a wide variety of venues.

The logo was similarly lacking in resonance compared to the old script.

As for the blue/olive badge, the colours are an ugly combo (to me, all due respect everybody), redolent of the era of plaid bellbottoms.

If I had only thought to let Ludwig know what I thought at the time....

cheers,

Patrick

yes, it was a funky time as far as colors and style were concerned. But, keep in mind, LSD was a popular drug with the "bad" kids at that time and so, in keeping with the drugs of the respective period, people somewhat accepted the psychedelia of it all. Kitchens had those olive green appliances and fake wood paneling in the "den"....lots of orange and lime green cars. You get the idea.

It may be ugly to us, now, but back then, you had to have that stuff to be In style! Same thing goes for the B/O badge. Ludwig needed a fresh look for the era and they went with (what I consider to be) the essentials of the style of that time. They had the olive green and the "futuristic" parallelogram shape -aluminum. Wrapped drum finishes were Citrus Mod, Mod Orange, Psychedelic Red, "Strata" and "Astro" finishes were introduced. It was all part of that time. It was seen as changes for the modern era. So, if nothing else, these things are historically significant representations of the style of that period.

Burger Kin

They were a year away from landing on the moon and everybody was thinking modern, modern, modern...

I'm sure they thought the old logo was stiff and antiquated. I can picture Bill Sr. liking the old one and the kids saying "C'mon Grandpa get with the times". "Retro" styling wasn't cool, it was just old.

Yes, I see that as the beginning of the end, not just for Ludwig, but for GM too. I see a pattern that started almost exactly in 1968 that ended up where we are now.

I have great hope for the long term... the short term... well...

Maybe there will come a day when Ludwig makes #1400 flat base cymbal stands out of that same metal again, that would be the sign that it's back.

^^^ AGREE!^^^

I am right in the middle of what was supposed to be an easy kitchen remodeling project. My wife and I decided to be our own general contractor for the job. It's no wonder this project seems to be taking forever! LOL! Anyway...

I was chatting with the carpenter about the actual quality of the steel used to make nails. he told me that there is no doubt in his mind that the quality of the metals used in manufacturing anything in ths country has gone way down hill. He explained that since time is money when it comes to construction jobs, methods of construction have changed to accommodate speed -not quality. When nails are shot out of a nail gun, the go in straight and so they don't need to be made as strong. Old nails had to be able to accept an errant hit here and there and be able to be bent back into shape and used. The quality was higher. The shear-factor was MUCH higher -according to what he tells me.

So, even when it comes to the smallest things, sometimes they are the things that hold yoru house together! you know what I mean?Burger KinBurger Kin

I know what you mean.

I do my own auto body work, and I've cut up a '69 Chevy and the metal is a different animal than the modern cars.

Around 1975 I got all hyped up when all the double braced Tama Titan stuff came out and bought all of it for my Gretsch set. Before that I was using late 60's Bonham Ludwig stands. One by one the Tama's broke and rusted to bits and was all eventually all thrown away... and I still have the Ludwig stands from before.

There was something about the chrome and hardness of the stands Ludwig made in the 60's and 70's that seems superior to any I've seen since although the design was often questionable.

This last few years I've gone to 100% Walberg & Auge flat base stuff like Gretsch sold and I love it, especially the nickel plated stands - they're indestructible... original rubber feet from the 50's.

Interesting!

Did anyone ever determine whether or not there was a 1968-69 catalog floating around?

Were there gaps in certain years where they didn't print a catalog? I don't think I've ever seen a 1968-69 catalog anywhere.

There was no 1968-69 catalog. usually new happening were released through the Ludwig drummer. It's funny because that Jan issue of Ludwig drummer from 1968 also announces the new finishes which are psych red and mod orange. Those colors actually were in existance as early as June of 1967. I am wondering when the 70's style Ludwig logo made it's first showing. I actually really like the very first logo heads with that style on it. The logo was placed high and was kind of small. Really cool looking!

My favorite Ludwigs are 1968-69 Ludwigs. Beautiful stuff!