*Holes for the lugs looked like nails.*
For that era of Ludwig, the shrinkage is common. As stated, Ludwig stopped tucking the wraps into the scarf joint like they did on 60's era drums and they started using a new environmentally-friendlier glue....that shrunk and took the wrap with it.
Sounds like a good price for the amount of drums you got. I would just have the seam re-glued or do it yourself....not rocket science. Sand down the black paint and have a shop set you up with bottom heads on the other toms. Sounds like it will be a nice player and if you fix the issues the right way you may come out ahead if you ever sell....
Can it be reglued? It looks like it shrunk and there isnt enough material to pull it back together. It would have been nice if they would have put the seem on the bottom of the drum instead of the side.
*Holes for the lugs looked like nails.*For that era of Ludwig, the shrinkage is common. As stated, Ludwig stopped tucking the wraps into the scarf joint like they did on 60's era drums and they started using a new environmentally-friendlier glue....that shrunk and took the wrap with it.
Ah, yeah it does....lol Now that would have been a deal breaker.
I wouldn't bother to redo the inside of the concert toms, (your'e just making a hard job for yourself). If they sound thin, it's more likely from the type of heads, & tuning. (You'll get a lot of different opinions, but Remo Pinstripes will give you a nice , rich voice).
I am thinking about just boxing all the concerts up for the time being. I really only need the 13,14, 16, and 18 which is a nice rock setup. I thought about converting the 10 and 12 but I really don't need that many toms on a kit. Four toms is plenty, and I prefer the larger diameter toms. I am going to try the Aquarian Texture Coated Response 2 over coated A's. Should give me a nice classic rock sound. Not sure what bass drum head to run as a batter though. Once I get the heads in, I will post up pictures of the drums on the rack.
I would not worry about it to much fix it if you want but just play them things, they just want to be beat on....
Bill,They are 1976 3 plys. They have the reinforcement rings and the speckle paint. I dont know if they are a rewrap or not. I paid $849 shipped for them so I dont know if this was a stellar deal or not. Sizes 24, 18, 16, 14, 13 and 6, 8, 10, 12 concert toms. It will never be a collectors kit because the 10,12, 13, and 14 toms were painted black inside. That didnt bother me because I was going to put white heads on both the reso and batter. I was talking with Jack @ Lawton Drums about adding the lower hardware for the 10 and 12. I mainly wanted a good players kit, but I also don't want a Beverly Hillbilly set.
Another question, is that bare wood showing through, or just glue stain?
In either case, FWIW I think you got a good deal. I do agree that it wouldn't hurt to try to get some of it back, but if that don't shake out you're still OK. That is a LOT of 3-ply Ludwigs for the money. And, the others that have commented about the different glue as well as the different wrap process that Ludwig used during this period are correct. What I was referring to was the way they did it in the 60s.
So, from the info available, I'd say your set is probably NOT a rewrap. And like I said I think you came out OK. Enjoy. I'm sure I would.
BTW -- If you don't want the concert toms, they do pretty good on eBay (especially the smaller ones). You could get part of your money back that way... just another thought.
Bill
Thanks Bill. It is the wood that is showing on the seam. I definitely think the wrap is original. I cannot find any evidence on any of the badges that show tampering. I did email the manager of Guitar Center and showed him the pictures. He told me directly the wrap was in good shape but I am sure he was just looking at the top of the bass drum. If I can get some money back great, if not, I will keep them regardless. I went ahead and ordered some coated remo pins for those concert toms. I will see how they sound. I will set them up above my high hat and use them for back beats or for those random times I want to pull of some Neil Peart fills.
Very common for the Ludwig drums made in the mid 1970's.The seam is called a "butt seam" something Ludwig come up with.Before the mid 70's Ludwig had the seam as a over-lap about 1 1/2" place under the lugs on the drum.Then they went to the "butt seam" thats when all the problems started with the seams you have..The way to fix it is you would have to have the drum re-covered and add a over-lap..I would just leave it alone its on the bottom of the drum anyway...Mikey
Threads like these are really interesting and I learn alot from them. Nuttin to add except enjoy the new kit! I don't think I could resist from setting all those toms up and blast off to some Rush. D' Drummer
