Earlier this year, I sold my vintage 3-ply Ludwig kit. It was a large kit that just took up too much space. While owning it, I was in love with it. The warm sounds, reinforcement rings, rounded bearing edges, cured maple, etc etc. A couple of years ago, I had bought a cheap Mapex VX kit off of Craigslist to convert to electronic drums for like $100. I got the itch to play acoustics the other day, so I put some heads on the kit and tuned it up. I have to say, that I was rather shocked.
First, the build quality of these "cheap Chinese" drums is far superior to the pro line vintage Ludwigs. I dont think any of my Ludwig toms were true and the bearing edges were, lets just say VERY vintage. The Ludwig classic lugs were no better than these Chinese counterpart. I know that the 3 ply Ludwigs with all there imperfections give them a warm, classic sound. I have to say I cant ascertain much of a difference between the two with the same heads. Granted, I dont have them side by side, but I owned those Luddies for several years, so I know intimately what they sounded like.
I came to realize that my love for my Ludwigs was 98% pure nostalgia. They really are sub-par quality wise to even the cheapest kits today. I know I will get flamed, but having owned the revered 3-ply Ludwigs and randomly deciding to throw some heads on what is perceived as "Chinese junk", I was humbled. Honestly, the fog of time and holding on to youth made me want to see and hear something that really wasnt there. Computer cut bearing edges are far superior to a guy working in a Ludwig warehouse in 1975. I am sure the cured maple makes a sonic difference but I think good heads and the ability to tune the drum properly out weighs the perceived sound of the vintage drum. Just my thoughts....flame away!
Vintage Drum Revelation
First, the build quality of these "cheap Chinese" drums is far superior to the pro line vintage Ludwigs. I dont think any of my Ludwig toms were true and the bearing edges were, lets just say VERY vintage. The Ludwig classic lugs were no better than these Chinese counterpart. I know that the 3 ply Ludwigs with all there imperfections give them a warm, classic sound. I have to say I cant ascertain much of a difference between the two with the same heads. Granted, I dont have them side by side, but I owned those Luddies for several years, so I know intimately what they sounded like.
I came to realize that my love for my Ludwigs was 98% pure nostalgia. They really are sub-par quality wise to even the cheapest kits today. I know I will get flamed, but having owned the revered 3-ply Ludwigs and randomly deciding to throw some heads on what is perceived as "Chinese junk", I was humbled. Honestly, the fog of time and holding on to youth made me want to see and hear something that really wasnt there. Computer cut bearing edges are far superior to a guy working in a Ludwig warehouse in 1975. I am sure the cured maple makes a sonic difference but I think good heads and the ability to tune the drum properly out weighs the perceived sound of the vintage drum. Just my thoughts....flame away!
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