Back in the day you could order a kit directly based on a catalog setup, but many people, like me, ordered specifically what they wanted, a la carte. This has caused a bit of confusion for some people when seeing a vintage kit for sale that does exactly represent any specifc kit from a catalog, thinking the individual pieces may have been purchased separately and assembled into a set after the fact at different times. While he may have specifically ordered a "Deluxe Classic", its just as likely, and perhaps more likely, he just knew what he wanted, and did not order the mounted cymbal stand. That's exactly what I did in 1965 when I purchased my first set of Ludwigs in Black Diamond Pearl. I was 19 at the time, and knew exactly what I wanted. I didn't want a mounted cymbal stand and didn't need a picture to guide me.

Very true Mark. I was not alive in 1967 but there are tons of sets out there that don't match any catalog description. I really think the catalog was just a blueprint.

With the talent that Michael had at such a young age I could very easily see him ordering a kit this way as like you he probably knew exactly what he wanted.

I have a 67 deluxe classic in sky blue pearl.

The catalogs are more of an advertisement than the actual parts catalogs shops used to order. I have a 1980's dealer binder and it mostly just part numbers and prices.

Would love to know why the auction set has an older version tom holder than the one seen on the Woodstock film.

Good eye! Good question.

I wouldn't call the catalogs a blueprint which to me implies something to be followed exactly. They served as advertising and a buying guide with setup suggestions. Note in the vintage catalogs that Ludwig itemized each set and the discount they offered when purchasing a complete set at list price was around 5% over purchasing items individually. However, the discount offered by most dealers was very significantly higher, so at the end of the day there wasn't any real savings purchasing a specific kit vs buying all the pieces separately In fact I don't really know if the dealers ever had prices based on specific kits. I'm pretty sure that even if you pointed a finger at a picture, they would itemize the kit and then give you a discounted price.

Completely agree.