Slingerland kit looks in very good condition & is a rarer array of drums. The silver sparkle sets look great under stage lighting too. Also I love sticksaver rims. For me I'd buy the Slingo's in a flash..

Cheers

Slingerland kit all the way!

I've read several times on this forum from 'gurus' that post-50s Slingerlands don't have the same value of Ludwigs, Rogers, and certainly Camcos. I'm sure that could change, but I'm going to be the odd man out and say to go with the Ludwigs. I have a '65 13/16/20 BDP Ludwig kit, and it sings like an angel. Everyone who plays it is smitten. I play a similar kit to the Slingerlands you're considering 10-12 times a year with some friends I jam with, and they just don't sound anywhere near as good to me as my Ludwigs. Even the owner of the Slingerlands agrees.

That said, I don't think either is a bad choice, and the virgin bass drums is a big plus with the Slingerlands; if you're a single kick guy, you could sell the extra bass drum as well.

Good luck with whatever you do.

Stephen

I've been more of a Ludwig guy than an Slingerland guy, but I would also go with the Slingys. As someone else mentioned...if you only play single bass, you could sell one or just find another floor tom and have two 3-piece kits! I have no problem with the edges being cut, but the Ludwig kit you are looking at is also an orphan kit. To be honest, I had a '63 Ludwig kit and was not impressed with the sound. Go Slingerland.

Is this for playing or flipping? If the latter, then the 14" Ludwig FT helps, although the recut edges might negate some of that.

I'm a Slingerland guy, so those would be my choice for playing, even though I would rarely, if ever, use the second bass drum. I like having three toms, and silver sparkle will look great on stage.

I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you decide.

Thank you everyone so much for the replies!

I am still weighing my options but right now I am definitely leaning towards the Slingerland.

Seems like something that may fit better for what i going for. Although the second bass drum is not necessary and may not get much use as a double kick set up, i guarantee i will look into getting a 14'' tom.

Unless.....slingy didn't offer an 18'' floor tom during the 60's did they?

I truly like the finish of both but like mentioned, the luddy is an orphan kit and that could also always mean different tonal quality in the wood.

I am going to take a look at the slingys this week i am hoping.

without me telling everybody the price im paying....

What would you value these kits at? on a resale basis.

or what would be the top price you'd pay for them?

i do not plan on getting rid of these, i plan on playing them everyday, but it would be nice to know.

Thank you again.

I've seen the Slingerland kit for sale somewhere (here/DFO or ebay?) and it's a nice looking kit. That said I'd also want to hear both and how they sound if possible. And see which you prefer. While looks are important the sound is higher up on my list. I'd also want to take a good look at both, hardware, shells inside and out etc.... just to inspect things well overall. Once cash changes hands it's yours. If your spending good money and not 100% happy with either one keep looking. Your kit is out there somewhere.

I completely spaced on the fact that the Ludwigs were orphans when I recommended them. If the Slingerlands are a matched set, then yes most definitely they are the better choice, especially since you plan on keeping and playing them.

Enjoy them if you choose them.

Stephen

Unfortunately, the drums are located about 2 hours in the opposite direction of each other and i am in the middle.

With this being said, that's sortof why i ended up here with this dilemma. i can't afford the gas to go look at both.

I 100% agree that sound is what comes first.

Of course, which ever one i decide to go look at, i will not purchase if shells, wrap, hardware, etc. have any major damage.

the slingerland has all serial numbers and start with the same 4 numbers. i believe them to be a matched set. how exactly would i be able to tell?

serial numbers are 132732, 132793, 132794,132797 and 132798.

thanks

Is that a jazzfest in the background I'm just saying !that 14 ft is worth some doe it should part of a downbeat kit