Attn Drummers: Are either of these drum kits a good deal?

[RedWallStudio]

I have been wanting to put a studio drum kit in for quite a while, and actually posted about good kits a while back. I now have the opportunity to purchase two used kits, and I would like to get opinions from the drummers here.

Kit 1 is a mid 70's Ludwig gold sparkle 4 piece. 14x22 kick, 16x16 floor, 13x9 tom, 8x12 tom. Kit is all original and was not pieced together, it was always together. Finish on the kit is great, and it has new evans heads. Asking price is $700.00.

Kit 2 is a 1 year old 5 piece Ludwig Fusion Kit. Its 7 ply maple. I don't know all the drum sizes at this moment. The kit also includes Ziljian Cymbals including a 20" ride, 18" crash, 20" chine, 8" splash, 14" hihat and all stands, kick pedal & throne. Asking price is $1500.00.

If anyone can let me know which kit sounds like the better deal or of they both are. Im leaning towards the vintage kit, but then I need to buy hardware & cymbals. Also let me know if I should be asking the sellers any pertinent questions. Thanks!

[funkdrmr]

First off, I would listen to them and see which one you like the best.

The kicker for me would be the versatility between the sizes of toms. If the newer kit is more of a fusion setup, it will probably have smaller tom sizes, therefore being a little more versatile for different types of music that you may end up recording.

Hope that helps.

[macr0w]

I say go for older one. Get your own cymbals and stuff.

[Westex]

I'd go with the older ones, too. thumbsup

[AdamJay]

older kit, for sure.

and listen to them, for sure.

[against88]

if those drums are round and the edges are decent then the 70s kit is going to be sweet! i'd make drummers bring in their own cymbals ...unless you know/trust the drummer...

-w

[Blindside]

Every poster has good points, but there are a few things you must consider.
First, new heads won't make a difference, because you will have to replace all the heads eventually
Second, most drummers will most likely want to use their own set, especially snare drums. They don't spend thousands of dollars to get "their sound" for nothing. Same goes for cymbals.
Third, the 70's Ludwig is probably a really cool drumset. I have a 70's Grestch snare drum that is awesome, but old Ludwig sets have a very unique and "vintage" sound that might not be as versatile as the new 7-ply set. Most newer sets now have external mounting that has no affect on the sound of the drums, which gives better tone. Check this out before you buy. If someone is going to use your set, then it probably should be as versatile as possible and you should probably have some cymbals lying around as well.

Being a drummer, I'd like to have the 70's set, but if I was going into the studio, especially for any sort of contemporary music, I'd rather play the newer one (if it is extenally mounted and the sizes are good)

My advice would be to get the newer one. It'll better in the long run, unless you are a drum collector.

[Zeppelin]

Hi, my first post here.
I have a 22", 13" and 16" Ludwig from the late 60's. They absolutely rock. I think I ended up paying at least twice the price you're offered(and still thinking of it as a steal compared to f.ex DW). They have their own unmistakeable "old" sound. And for this incredibly big, fat and resonant sound I wont play anything else! When playing I'm thinking I can't get a better sound, especially when I added a 6,5" black beauty recently.

I don't know about the new Ludwig you were offered, but most modern drumkits actually have a more modern sound, perhaps a bit clearer with more attack. This is often due to smaller, "modern" sizes, the absence of reinforcement hoops(on the inside along the bearing edges, which also is sharper now) and lacquer finishes instead of covers(like gold sparkle), die-cast hoops and suspension systems. All lot of new kits also try to emulate vintage ones.

Vintage kits may not be suitable in all situations, but modern kits won't neither. Therfore I have a new kit for jazz/drum 'n bass and songs where smaller sizes and modern tone is needed(and so I also can practice at home).
If the set is in great shape I don't know any pertinent questions to ask.
For the price you're given it's a steal!

Here's a link to a mp3 with my band, using the Ludwig:
http://www.spett.net/Spettnet06/Spet...0For%20You.mp3

-Henning

[toolskid]

Check this:

http://www.vintagedrum.com/inspect_vd.htm

and if you feel its good, DEFINITELY go for the vintage ludwig, its also worth checking whether the original ludwig tom holders were replaced with the MASSIVE rogers mount, as this can cause some shell problems (tho can also been fine!)

All the best

[cajonezzz]

Definitely buy Kit 2, or a newish DW or Yamaha kit as a studio kit. Old drums just sound old, and they fall apart under mild bashing. It's rare to find an old kit in even SEMI playable condition.


So now that we've got that solved, could I get the guy's number with the old Lud's?