I did not pull the 18x16 out of the closet and get a picture, but it is in the same condition and everything else. I plan to put new heads on everything top and bottom, once I decide which heads I want to go with.

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Appears to be a Pro Beat set that was ordered without tom hardware and then had the Rogers stuff installed (by either the dealer or a the initial buyer). This was a semi common occurrence at the time, less so for Ludwig as their hardware was generally okay but if someone really liked Rogers swivo stuff they could get this done easy enough (although Ludwig themselves would NOT have done it at the factory). Bass drum would be 14x24, no 16" depth bass drums in the 3 ply era.

Butcher Block cortex is a polarizing finish, seems most either love it or hate it (I'm not a fan myself) but the cortex wraps, which are a thin grade of countertop laminate, are tough as nails and hard wearing. If you add another layer of wrap over the cortex you will likely push the outer diameter to a point where getting heads on is a problem (unless you're using something very thin as a wrap). Generally a re-wrap involves pulling off the old wrap. This can be done with cortex but it's extra tough to get off the drum. My advice would be to leave them be. They look to be in great shape. Of course they are yours to do with as you please and maybe the bumwrap would still let heads on.

Dual mufflers were another thing that you could order (Ludwig would do this in house if requested) although typically the dual mufflers are mounted one over the other as on your 13". Not sure what having them opposite each other might mean. They might also have been dealer or owner installed....but possibly done at the factory.

Awesome kit. I wasn't fond of the butcher block, but they've really grown on me in the last year. You can still buy a Ludwig kit in the factory butcher block finish.

Regarding the Rogers mounts- I would have to guess that those weren't factory installed, but could have been added at the drum shop where the drums were purchased. Many drummers used Rogers hardware on their drums, so perhaps they were ordered as virgins with the intention of installing the Rogers hardware.

I thought I've seen photos with Bonham's rack tom with a Rogers mount.

Also, I understand that top and bottom mufflers were factory options. Still are I believe.

I'm sorry, yes it is 24x14. 24x16 was my typo. The cortex wrap does seem to be very durable and I have no intentions of removing it, I just do not want any new wrap glued down on top of it. It looks as if the bumwrap only has adhesive where it overlaps, so that is why I am considering it an option. I'm not in love with the butcher block, but I dont really hate it. It has grown on me a little bit over the last couple weeks I have had the kit, but I am still searching wraps. Maybe I could order bumwrap for 1 drum and see if it turns out to be too thick and to see if I really like it before ordering a whole kits worth.

If I end up staying with the butcher block, I would just leave the tone controls and tom mounts installed as I don't want any open holes in the shells. Thanks for the info so far!

Here's a pic of what I believe is a Rogers mount on Bonham's rack tom. The pic is from johnbonhamdrums.com.

Another option for wrap would be Jammin Sam's wrap using his double-sided tape, but then your heads might not fit over the shell's bearing edges very well if the wrap is placed over the existing cortex wrap.

Those drums have a really cool vibe to them though. I love the LM411- great sounding snare drum.

Looks like a Roger's mount to me! I will definitely check out jammin sams and give them a call to see if their wraps would cause any clearance issues over the cortex. I am curious now. Thanks!

Nice looking drums!

If you do want to re-wrap, here's a trick that you can do to eliminate head fitting issues:

Get the heads you plan to use on the kit (some brands fit slightly differently than others). Put the the heads on the kit and tighten them down with normal tension. Then, mark the position of where the heads rest on the shell (how far they come down from the bearing edge). You can mark it with painters tape or a dry-erase marker. Do this for both sides. Then, take the heads off and measure A) How far down the heads come from the bearing edge and B) The distance between your two edge marks in the middle of the drum, just to give you two measurements to "check your work".

You can then only use the amount of wrap you need to cover the shell, but leave the edges where the heads sit unwrapped, so there won't be any additional thickness where the heads sit. Your calculation of how far down the heads sit on each side should also equal the total depth of the drum, minus the measurements on each side (which, of course, would also equal the distance in the middle of the drum, between the two edge marks).

For Example: I use Remo heads. They generally come down about 5/8" (or 10/16") from the edge on each side. So, using this method of wrapping, a 10" deep drum would only need 8 3/4" depth of wrap. Adding 5/8" (or 10/16") for each side gives me 10/8", or 20/16", which is 1 1/4". 10" minus 1 1/4" = 8 3/4"). Also, if I measure the distance between my two marks on the edge, it should also equal 8 3/4". Personally, I usually go 1" shallower than the depth of the drum just to be safe (in this case 9"), but I have only wrapped bare wood drums so far. In your case, you can precisely measure where the heads fall, and wrap accordingly, so that the extra layer of wrap will have no effect on how the heads fit. Also, remember to measure the exact depth of your particular drum. Ludwig should be pretty accurate, but I've seen plenty of 8" x 12" toms where the actual depth was from 7.5" to 8.5" and anywhere in between.

Having said all that, I'm with the others on this one. I would leave them as is. A very unique finish that looks to be in fantastic shape.

Good Luck,

V

Just my opinion....If you don't like the Butcher Blocks, please consider selling them and buying a kit that you do like. Or buy some project shells to rewrap. I'd sure leave those in the original wrap if they were mine.

Mike

+ 1 to Mike as usual!!Yes Sir

Cheers!