I don't think a vintage Ludwig set would be the ideal drum kit for your 12 year old son to start learning to play the drums for the following reasons--

A vintage Ludwig kit is a professional instrument and should be used by professional drummers or experienced enthusiasts and collectors.

Although it is a really great idea to get your son playing a set vintage high end drums, it's not really financially practical. This would be like teaching him how to drive on your vintage Porsche Spyder..

And finally, your son can learn how to play on a decently priced, beginner to intermediate drum kit that you can easily find in any music instrument shop. Or if you really want to go for the vintage stuff, then a nice Made in Japan drum kit will suffice. You can find them at very reasonable prices, and i'm sure there are some for sale up here on this forum, or you can have members direct you to where you can find some. Although with the music he likes, a 5 piece kit under $400 would be perfect for a kid like him.

I got my start on boxes ! Learning how to play on boxes was fun, but not practical, so my big brother got me a vintage MIJ Westbury drum kit from the early 70's. That was good enough for me. Only when i got in my late teens did i move up to my Tama Swingstar drums which is an intermediate kit, and after a few more years on that, i finally got my first professional kit at age 24, which was a vintage Ludwig from the early 70's.. I'm still kicking myself for selling those drums !

Whatever the case, i'm sure you'll find something practical for your son to learn on, without having to break the bank with a pro vintage Ludwig kit..The most important thing to remember is that your so is beginning to learn how to play, so he may lose interest, then you'll be left with a vintage kit collecting dust, and have to resell because having a vintage Ludwig kit sitting in a closet is just wrong, although it does aid in preserving the kit in good condition. ;) With that being said, i wish you good luck, and please let us know how it turns out !

cheers,

Rob

Could always find a used Rocker or S/L ( Standard Line ) set. Still a " vintage " Ludwig, but without being high end and costing a lot of money. And personally, I think those drums were built better than some of these beginner lines today. At least a 16" floor tom had eight lugs top and bottom as opposed to six, or five, or even four in some cases.

1. This suggestion was made to me and I regret not following it: Start with a snare and get a working knowledge of rudiments: rolls and paradiddles at the very least, which will be useful once he gets a kit. If your son is still interested after six months, then go for a kit. Easier said than done and attention spans are shorter now than they were in 1977. Used Ludwig Acrolite snare drums can be found for $150 or less. They are great workhorse drums that would not be out of place if you purchase a kit later.

2. Not sure where you are, but if you're in an urban area, there are certain to be numerous used sets available on craigslist. Many of them will be from kids who thought they were interested.

3. Don't scrimp on cymbals. Good heads carefully tuned can make cheaper drums sound good, but a bad cymbal is always going to sound bad. Make sure your son the learns the proper way to strike cymbals so he won't be beating them to death and cracking them.

Good luck!

Al

I always suggest vintage kits when in this position. A vintage Ludwig kit will retain it's value compared to a new, entry level kit.

Dave

I have a few sets for sale if you like Ludwigs and some snares

I agree. Your kids loves drumming and vintage drums are the best sounding instruments on the planet in my opinion so go for it. Your best value by far is anything Slingerland circa 1970s. Amazing drums, vintage but not as appreciated as Ludwig but they are just as good. $500 should get you a great kit. If you have any links to possible choices for sale just throw them up here and let us comment. Good luck.

I like the idea of getting the acrolite. You can always have a place for one.

Along with the idea of a 70's Slingerland, can also keep an eye out for a 70's Premier or Rogers Big R kit.

I still stand by my original suggestion, but this is also great advice. 1970s Slingerlands are fantastic: I have six sets of them (not for sale, but you should be able to find some fairly easily).

Al

I guess the kit is going to be a holiday surprise, but as a former 12-year-old myself, I might get some information out of him as to what kind of kit he would like to play.

Sometimes kids don't have much vintage sensibility, and would rather have something shiny and new that looks like the stuff their heroes play.

Maybe take him to a music store and see what kits catch his eye?

Every kid who wants an instrument has a fantasy dream instrument, and my suggestion is to get that or as close as possible.

Other than that, Jay's idea of a Rocker or S/L kit is pretty cool. There's an entire Rocker II 5-piece for sale near me for $300, which leaves plenty of money for good cymbals and hardware. Is the $1000 price point for just a shell set or for everything including pedals, cymbals, throne, and stands? That other stuff adds up quickly.

As far as starting him with just a snare and rudiments, if I had been forced to do that I would not even have started playing. Which some might say would have been a good thing, but I enjoy it.