I'm hoping someone can help me narrow down where my old Ludwigs fit in on the timeline or what they might be called.
12, 13, 16, 22 - Serial numbers - 162xxxx
White cortex, blue/olive pointy badges, doubled headed, 3 ply w reinforcement rings, clear interior - no granitone. Offset tom mounting brackets. Kick has 1/2 inch spurs.
Current best guesses have ranged between 1973-78, Big beat, Classic, or Hollywood.
Any ideas? Any key features or details I may have left out that would narrow it down?
Could you post some pictures of the kit, it will help us evaluate the kit for you.
Even without seeing pictures of the actual kit, I'd say this is a Big Beat kit. The Hollywood was gone by this time period. Both kits are essentially the same, but with different hardware. The separate drums are from the Classic series. There was a Super Classic and Deluxe Classic outfit, both 4pc kits. Hope this helps.
Mark
So with white cortex being first offered in 1975 -
http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_finishes.html#
and this site putting the serial numbers at 1976 -
http://home.kpn.nl/winnie-/links/ludwigserno.html
I guess that pretty much narrows it down. The general consensus seems to say 1976 Big Beats.
Would anything in these pics further support or contradict that? And is there anyway of determining when the shells themselves were produced?
Thanks for all the help!
The 3ply maple shells without the granitone should have it pre-76. I have a red sparkle kit, same sizes as yours, and thought it was a 76 by the serial numbers. The knowledgeable fellas on here we able to give me a better time frame, pointing towards early 70s. Apparently in 76, the # of plys changes to 6, and the granitone interior was added. I was told that sometimes the serial #'s can be deceiving. I would put my money on 1975!
Nice kit!
The only reason I'm saying very late 75 to very early 76 is because of the 1/2" spurs,unless they were originally 5/16 and replaced later with 1/2".
Ludwig went to 1/2" spurs in 76 when they went to 6 ply shell with no re rings,but the OPs drums are clearly 3 ply with rings.
Could just be a standard Ludwig mystery also.Lots of those around.It's tough to point to only one thing in particular,as something that absoloutely defines the exact date of Ludwig drums.Usually several things have to line up to approximate an accurate date.
Steve B
The only reason I'm saying very late 75 to very early 76 is because of the 1/2" spurs,unless they were originally 5/16 and replaced later with 1/2".Ludwig went to 1/2" spurs in 76 when they went to 6 ply shell with no re rings,but the OPs drums are clearly 3 ply with rings.Could just be a standard Ludwig mystery also.Lots of those around.It's tough to point to only one thing in particular,as something that absoloutely defines the exact date of Ludwig drums.Usually several things have to line up to approximate an accurate date.Steve B
Good call Steve! I didn't notice the spurs. The spurs on my kit are the smaller 5/16" and have the point-y spikes on the bottom. I'm not sure if they are supposed to have rubber feet on them or not...
