1970s S/S Ludwig Thunder Down Under

[Dno]

Yeah Gidday

Here's some before's & afters of me latest score & project, I worked my arse off on these while the family was overseas visiting family. My fingers were bleeding on more than one occasion through sanding & straightening these beasts out, I even lost 5 kgs in the process...honest!

Whata ya think...worth it ??

[Tubthumper]

Wow, they look great!! Those have got to be one the hardest wraps to deal with. Everything shows on that finish. Great job, but those luddies are truly hi maintainance.

[mendozart]

Wow, they look great!! Those have got to be one the hardest wraps to deal with. Everything shows on that finish. Great job, but those luddies are truly hi maintainance.

They aren't wrapped, they're Stainless Steel shells that buff to a shine.

[Tubthumper]

Really ? My bad. Learned something new today.

[Dno]

DNO man what a waste of time!!!Laughing H, box those tubs up and send em to me!! Of course you know my answerYes SirCool1 have you made any thunder down under yet??? well done pal!!!

Thanks man..Yeah why not give em away, after all its easter & stainless drums would last longer than eggs especially in this house! I used these last sat for a jam & from getting these & rebuilding them I only had a few minutes left to tune them before having to leave for the jam. I put clear emperors on & RMV reso's but will be goin Bonham style with coated emperors for batters & coated abassadors as reso's. I have aluminium in the process getting rolled for bass hoops, once rolled I will weld together & polish them out they will look good & set it off better then the black ones I reckon. Was it you who contacted me about the 18" floor tom kit? Have only just got this pc back, cheers.

[Dno]

Really ? My bad. Learned something new today.

A wrap may of saved the bleeding fingers though :-}

[Dno]

yeah Dno that was me, man they sold for $2300.00 I wish you would have gotten them, if I run into the bonham sizes do you want me to contact you again??

Thanks for that I lost you when this thing blew up! Yeah mate id love a 18" & a 26" as everyone would but the postage from your neck of the woods justs smokes the project your in the UK ?

[Dno]

yeah, everybody thinks that it is a chrome finish and it is a high buffed finish, ludwig stainless steel shells are marine grade stianless steel, the most expensive stainless steel there is!! that is one of the reasons they were only made for such a short period, also why they are so expensive today, and the dunnett reissues are no where in the class of the ludwigs are!! but i am also kind prejudice!!

The quality of the stainless was better back then too it had more chromium & nickel than it does today. I have had a bit of involvement in the super yacht stainless industry over the years was production supervisor of the S/S fabrication on golfer Greg Normans boat "Aussie Rules" & others. R D makes some sexy gear & no doubt is a great craftsman, I love his work but do agree...you cant beat anything original & in this case these will only go up in value, I can't see a reproduction going up in value as much as the originals.

[BonzoBonham]

I take it the sizes are 12,13,16, and 22?

[Dno]

Dno, I have had the great fortune to find a master stainless steel craftsman, that can do crazy things with marine grade stainless steel, I will be using him soon to buff my 26" bass back to it's former glory, also Dick Gerlach of the original Ludwig factory lives here in North Carolina, and he was the head product development guy for the entire stainless steel program, I had the good fortune to talk with him the day he retired from ludwig here in North Carolina!! I am thinking of starting the stainless steel society back, it was a group of us across the US that are steel owners and lovers. what are your thoughts about something like this??

Hell yeah! Im in.Bowing

[Dno]

No I in the USA!! a 12x15 just sold on ebay for $51.00 cheap cheap cheap!!!

Yes let me know if you see a 26" or an 18" please. Postage is alot cheaper from your neck of the woods compaired to the UK.

[Dno]

I take it the sizes are 12,13,16, and 22?

Yes & came with a LM 400 snare

[Dno]

Hell yeah! Im in.Bowing

Thats amazing you meeting up with these people, mate id love to know how many of these were made & released into what countries, I heard there were only 50 kits released into the UK.

[Dno]

No I in the USA!! a 12x15 just sold on ebay for $51.00 cheap cheap cheap!!!

Hey was that a tom with a standard L arm mount ?

[PaiceFan]

Hey guys love this thread. Lets get this Ludwig Stainless Club Going. I'm in ! These drums just don't get the kind of respect they deserve.

[PaiceFan]

Vintagemore that's a sweet looking kit. I'm guessing it's a 24" kick 16" and 18" floors. Is that a 12"x15" marching tom? It looks great with the Mach lugs

[PaiceFan]

Is your 26" a field drum also? Those 26"s in Stainless are indeed rare. What was odd about Bonzo's 12x15 was that it only had six lugs and the Mach lugs were shorter than most you see on marching drums. I think his Stainless kit was his nicest by far. I can't wait to see yours when it's done. Mine is a 1978 Big Beat with a 24" kick. My mom bought for me new for my 14th birthday. They are very well made drums aren't they

[PaiceFan]

the 26" bass is the real deal not a converted marching bass drum, here some pics of it!

That is just Hammer of The Gods! Could you give me some history on it?

[Dno]

Gidday Paice Fan
Im a Ian Paice nut too & hell yeah bring on a S/S club & stop teasing me with 26" & 18" cannons ! Hey V2000 I love the 2002's as well just scored a 1976 set of wait for it....Black Lable 2002 15" sound edge hats, $510 AUD.Bowing

[PaiceFan]

Hey Dno Good to see we got some Ludwig fans from Down Under! Your drums came out great. When you take these stainless kits apart you appreciate how well they were made. And how nice they clean up. I used Flitz metal polish and a couple of coats of liquid car wax. Good to hear from a fellow stainless fan. I also have a set of ChromeOwoods in the Big Bonzo sizes. As you can see I have a thing for Chrome Drums. This is a picture of my ChromeOwoods

[Dno]

Im getting closer to building a 14" x 26" & 16" 18" in 316L sick of being teased! Yeah I love working with the stuff, first started working with S/S in NZ in the dairy industry about 26 years ago. The work I put into these shells & the results are better than the original factory finish.Violin The seams were noticeable to a S/S freak like me on the outer shells...not any more, in my mind stainless in a cosmetic situation such as this & being as rare as they are has to be perfect & preserved for ever, more important it reflects ones skills & attitude to work. I still have to finish the seams on the 12" & 13", ran outa time & had to use them for a very loud jam which took 2 days to get over! When I get my alloy bass hoops finished I will post pics of the kit outside. Im running clear emperors on 12" 13" 16" coated on the 14" reso's are RMV are about to try a superkick 1. I still need to put alot more time into the tuning of these to learn more what they have got. What heads do you guys reckon for the raw power doom even now days with modern heads.

[PaiceFan]

VintageMore Thanks for that link I really enjoyed that site. Are they affiliated with Bonzo drum company? I recognize that green sparkle kit from that site. Great to find some fellow Stainless and Bonzo fans here and from down under.

[Dno]

Hey Paice Fan
Have you played one of the Paice pearl snares?

[PaiceFan]

Hey Paice Fan
Have you played one of the Paice pearl snares?

No Dno I haven't. I did take a look at it in the Pearl catalog. It looks very similar to a 6.5" Ludwig Supra. Since I already own two Supra's and an 8"x14" 12 Lug Coliseum. I'm not in the market for another snare drum at the moment. I wish Paicey would go back to being a Ludwig player. I have also heard rumors that he still records with his old ludwig kit. But who knows. I just think he is still the worlds most underated drummer.

[Dno]

Ah thats not strange V2k thats what I call real classy drums, Paice Fan the pearl signature snare is the same as a supra but chrome over steel. Im still gona keep my eye out for one a yes I totaly agree, Ian Paice is very under rated. Watched a 70s dvd of Purple the other day..wow talk about hair doos & some hippy pippi freaky people lovin the music...it was brilliant. Hey do you lot know if Ludwig had memory locks for the tom L arms in the 70s ?

[Dno]

When did the ones for the post come out 80s?

[Dno]

Mate that Bonham & Zep link is fantastic Bowing

[Dno]

Thanks for that V2K, mate I had my 1977 2002 15" sound edge hats turn up today that I got of ebay down here. Never in my life have I had the joy of playing hats like these, they sound amazingBowing

[sycloneimpala]

Those are SCHWEET!

[Dno]

Yeah mate an old mate of mine in his late 70s who has been collecting for over 30 years say: You chase the perfect sound for ever & never find it... well I reckon Ive found the perfect hi hats for my earsWalking

[Dno]

Wicked thanks V2

[Dno]

Thanks mate I already have contact with RCI, I will be making the 26" 18" myself unless an original pops up at a decent price before then...I dont think a 26" S/S is ever gona roll out! Kleening

[PaiceFan]

Vintage that's a cool video. But I don't think thats a stainless kit he is playing. The floor tom possibly. But from what I can tell it looks like a mix of Black concert toms and possibly gold silk? They look to be 3 ply granitone. The Bass drum apears to be a 26" with Mach lugs definately a very cool 70's kit. I have a picture of this kit but I cannot resize it to post it here. I will try to post another one. Great stuff. Keep this thread going!

[PaiceFan]

Can't find any good pictures of that kit. One site said that the black drums were vistalites. Another had a Ludwig ad with him playing a gold mach lug kit. I think the kit in the video maybe some kind of combination of the two. And possibly a ChromeOwood floor tom thrown in for good measure They said he used this kit around 72' I'm not sure if Ludwig was making Stainless Kits that early I think they came out around 76'.

[PaiceFan]

Let's try this one. It's not very good but It clearly shows that he has a mixture of Black, Gold and chrome drums. I also believe that the concert toms look to have granitone interiors.

[dcollector]

[QUOTE=vintagemore2000;68354]Dno + other stainless steel freaks, check this out ELP with Carl Palmer on ludwig stainless steel!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0FuFfcCZiE[/ This kit in the video? In the 70s it was known to everyone in the drumming world as the tank. Full kit w/ hardware weight was over 2000 lbs. Real pain for the roadies. All custom built 3/8 & 1/2 inch thick spun alluminum shells. Ringo has been hanging on to it for years because he wants to see it in the rock and roll hall of fame someday.

[dcollector]

Dno, here is the web link to Bonzo Drum, Matt Sinyard is the owner and head guy this is the company that did the green sparkle kit, that carl has on his web site! Http://www.bonzodrums.com/

Matt built it for Criss. Criss later sold it to Carl. Its got a plugged up center mount. If you want to see the only other one Matt has ever done, look at the one next to my name. Virgin shelled. It was mine before the Canopus drum company owner wanted it in Japan, so I sold it to him thru feebay. Niether of those kits would float original 70s bass heads. To much glue, not enuff effort.

[dcollector]

Carl tells every bit of this and even shows it with detailed pics! and carl has a natural maple, green sparkle, amber vistalite,and stainless steel, with the correct stands, cymbals, pedals timpani, and gong!!

You need to just give Carl a call, or i can have him call you when i see him on the 15th. He's a very cool man and straight shooter. He'll let you know the Green Sparkle is plugged. His Stainless kit used to belong to my friend Rudy before it made its way to Carl. The post on that one was put on off center and Carl had to spend a fortune in welding up the hole, lathe work, polish work, and it has a plate welded inside to keep it together. He did a great job bringing it back. Rudy let it go after buying a perfect "original stainless kit" from our friend Bob which he still has. As for the maple, look a little closer, all 2009 lugs w gaskets, incorrect laquer, waves from sanding in the bass and a keller hi-tom. He's selling it, guess how much? $10,000. to Japan. The Vistalite= perfection original. Stands are correct, but easy to find and own, of course with the exception of the 1402's. The Gong is a 2009. If you own these then you know they are not the same design as the 73' Bonham had. Side note, Johns 73' was a 38" but had no chinese script. Carl waisted a small fortune getting one put on the 2009 38" The one John had with the chinese script was a 30" w/ a paiste and Ludwig script logo stamped in the back. Its the one used on early shows and all recordings. Johns sold here a few months ago for $64,000. Not bad chunk of change! Very,very tough gong to find, but thats the one with my kit i had listed for sale on feebay.

[dcollector]

Ok fellow steel freaks I got it right this time Carl Palmer on his custom stainless steel kit that has hunting scene's engraved into the shells, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeQsZOQqO6I&feature=related

Best video of the complete Tank.

[dcollector]

Ok fellow steel freaks I got it right this time Carl Palmer on his custom stainless steel kit that has hunting scene's engraved into the shells, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeQsZOQqO6I&feature=related

Heres a link with the best video explaining "the tank" not to be confused with tank by ELP, They call this stainless in this production video on the kit and that may be where some of the confusion came from over the years, but roadies who had hands on this kit laughed when i said stainless and they have told me its alluminum. They have no reson to lie, so i have belived them. They said some thick 1/2 inch and some thinner. They, including my pops who worked the road in the 70s but never unloaded it also refers to it as "the tank" and somewhere in my magazines Ringo calling it "the tank" as he's interviewed about buying it from a woman Carl sold it to. http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuk0nSAl7wk or lookup on youtube carl palmer-electric drum kit-1973

[vintagemore2000]

DNO, this is the kit I was telling you about it is for sale Again and it's cheaper now!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Ludwig-3pc-Stainless-Steel-Drum-Set-/380224915503?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item58872bc82f

[Dno]

Thanks V2
Jeeze Ive been busy as lately stuck under the car (V6 Holden) removing the trans to fix the rear main seals on the motor & good to check in & catch up with you lot.

Im enjoying the Carl Palmer bits, I read somewhere that British Steel made a stainless bass drum for him...any truth in that? Gona change the emperor clears & put coated on, the clears seem pretty sharp & dont seem to have the right doom tone to it.

Still trying to get my aluminium bass hoops done when it happens I guess, I thought you said that S/S kit sold last time on....I love this...."Freebay" for 2 grand, whats the go there?

I woudnt mind scoring a 18" & 15" the 26" I will make, freight from your neck of the woods aint cheap...thats alot of beer $$$ ! I have a jam coming up in a week or two will get some pics & post them.

Cheers Dno
S/S Ludwigs...more grunt than a sow on heat! Bowing

[PaiceFan]

Don't want to see this thread go to the second page.

[PaiceFan]

OK you asked for it. All original 1978 Stainless Steel Big Beat Kit with the optional 24" Bass Drum. I would love to see more photos of members personal Stainless Kits.

[jonnistix]

Stainless steel freaks, No it's not ludwig, but it's the next thing to it!!Yes Sir http://cgi.ebay.com/Ludwig-Stainless-Steel-Bonham-Commemorative-Drum-Set-/180505905893?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a06fd8ae5

This is not an argument...however, I would have to differ on whether this is an authentic kit. In my understanding of how commisioned work is considered as original or not, look at the Triumphals, they are commisioned, not actually produced by Ludwig. Built in Germany by....oh damn...you know his name...Josh? Anyway, as a commisioned work, I would consider them to be Ludwig, or would you consider the Triumphal NOT Ludwig....?
Food for headache..x-mas3..I mean thought, and a spirited conversation...you know how I like controversy!

..............................................Soap Box.............................................
..not an angry rant, a spirited rebate...debate...conversation...discerssion

[PaiceFan]

Hey Vintage. Do the Dunett kits have that reinforcement plate under the tom mount like the originals?

[PaiceFan]

Especially since you say the Dunett kits are thinner shelled stainless. The weight of that 12x15 could be a problem. There is a video of Jason Bonham doing some rehearsing for the Zep reunion and I believe he is playing maybe a Dunett prototype "the tom looks smaller than 12x15 and it dosen't have Mach lugs" I think they sounded pretty good as did Jason.

[PaiceFan]

Try this link http://www.jasonbonham.net/videos1.html

[PaiceFan]

Vintage what's your make on that kit he is playing?

[PaiceFan]

The one the link goes to. I hope. It looks like a stainless kit in THE sizes. He is playing along to zep tracks.

[PaiceFan]

It's the top second over from the left 2008 rehearseles

[PaiceFan]

It's interesting that he is using clear batter heads. On all the toms. We all know that's not the recipe. Maybe they were torn between using a vista kit and the stainless for the show. Acloseup of the bass drum shows provisions for a shell mounted cymbal stand like the dunett reissue. although he has his ride on a boom stand.

[PaiceFan]

He is supposedly gearing up to do a tribute to his dad tour. Similar to what Dweezil Zappa is doing. I'm going to have to see that. I had the opurtunity to approach him in the parking lot after a UFO show. He was standing there outside the bus But I did'nt want to bother him it's not my style.

[PaiceFan]

Thanks I'm just glad he is a Ludwig player now his DW's sounded too generic for me. He's got style now. Now if he would just come to his senses and get some Paiste cymbals.

[Ludwigs4Life]

It's interesting that he is using clear batter heads. On all the toms. We all know that's not the recipe. Maybe they were torn between using a vista kit and the stainless for the show. Acloseup of the bass drum shows provisions for a shell mounted cymbal stand like the dunett reissue. although he has his ride on a boom stand.

I believe these were the rehearsals for DRUMMERLIVE 2008 where he is playing the same kit. The Zepppelin reunion took place at the end of '07. It's pretty safe to say these are the reissues since he was a recent endorsee and Ludwig probably didn't have a problem throwing him a kit. It also doesn't hurt to have you know who as your father :).

As for the green sparkle kit that came up in this thread; here's a shot of my baby girl doing her best Tommy Lee impression on them the day I picked them up from Matt's shop. Although it was an assembled replica, this set is flawless!!! Aside from the plugged holes in the bass drum and the green sparkle wrap, it is all original. All shells are granitone interiors and the badges, oddly enough all fall in the 1974 range. Sounded huge!! But like everything else, after a while she had to goLoLoLoLo


16943

[Dno]

Yeah Gidday You Lot

Jeeeze its good to get me arse inta gear & come back & see this response :-}

First up I would like to thank our legend mate for providing the best Saturday arvo's entertainment in along time. The John Bonham link from a UK radio station Dave on Bonham ...10 million gazillion points that its brilliant thankyou so much for making the weekend.

Sorry I have'nt been on for a while you lot up there its been busy as down here for a while. Hey 2K that S/S kit on "FreeBay"...yeah mate talk about recieve emails regarding that, not so much the drum but the price of all biblical proportions!

I have put coated emperors on the kit now & love it, more tone Im still usin RMV Brazilian made reso's. Slightly heavier than Remo Clear they work well man I love em. Got a Supertwit 1 on the bass & will be goin to a coated on that as well.

Good to catch up, Rock on U Lot

John Bonham Lives Down Under
Cheers
Dno

[PaiceFan]

Ludwigs4life that kit is amazing I would not have had the strength to let it go. Hope you got your price. Good to see this thread back on the front page where it belongs.

[Ludwigs4Life]

Ludwigs4life that kit is amazing I would not have had the strength to let it go. Hope you got your price. Good to see this thread back on the front page where it belongs.

Thanks! It was something I always wanted to put together but once it was done it was like, ok...Now what? I picked up a red/silver/blue sparkle set in a similar configuration around the same time and decided to hang on to it instead.

[PaiceFan]

Here's a photo of Alex VanHalen from I would guess the late 70's with his Stainless kit

[vintagemore2000]

Carl Palmer on his 100th Anniversary kit!! stainless steel! http://www.ludwig-drums.com/ludwigtv/player.php?url=carlpalmer1.flv

[caddywumpus]

Glorious days are truly here again; Ludwig Really is Back with a vengeance, LUDWIG STAINLESS STEEL KITS http://www.ludwig-drums.com/drumkits/stainless.php

Ugh! If only they'd offer the polished model in the brushed sizes with chrome-plated brass hardware. I guess they're afraid that they might actually sell a kit or two if they did, huh? That brass hardware on those stainless shells is f-f-f-f-fugly!

[PaiceFan]

They should make the new kits in this configuration. With a 26" Bass Drum.

[Dno]

Yeah Gidday

I hope all is well.

Mate what a concert story of a life time! I finally scored a Ian Paice signature snare to go along side my LM 402. I was using the Paice snare for a while at a jam session a couple of weeks ago then put the 402 infront of me... I sold the Paice snare the next day!

I tuned the kit up higher before the session they sounded ringy in here with major over tones bounching of the brick walls. Once in the studio the difference was unreal they sounded beautiful, the tone that these drums produced blew me away I had them tuned to low. They are powerful when tuned in the right range it took me a bit to find the spot but man what a rig!

[Dno]

AAAHHH give me that 26" & 18" !

[AZBill]

They should make the new kits in this configuration. With a 26" Bass Drum.

I have to admit that I really didn't want to read all of the posts, but scrolling-down and seeing this kit, made me pee my pants. If that is a recent pic, WOW!! What a great thundering kit! And, matching Hurcules stands! Bravo!!

[Dno]

Hey V2K

That guy said milled drums...yeah right!LoLoLoLo

[Dno]

Yeah the old you tube is a bit of entertainment alright, must be in a reggae band by the sound of the snare :-}

Im kicking myself about not doin a buy it now on a Hercules straight cymbal stand. Was'nt quite with the program asking for a price on postage & missed out it was tidy as too up in your neck of the woods.

Gona try one of those power stroke heads on my 402 today for something different, will be getn new wood hoops with inlay grooves for the 22" rather than making aluminium ones...that brain wave faded as common sense took over!

Thats all I want to do for that kit to finish it, another straight stand to go with the other & the 2 booms along with the hoops & then I will post pics of the completed item Walking

Righto team have a brilliant weekend.

Cheers
Dno

[Dno]

Wow, yeah mate it would be somethin else to have one of those kits but I would prefer to own yours :-}

[Dno]

Gday V2K

I wonder if they used 316L or not, do you know what grade of S/S they used?

[Lotus]

I'm hoping we can answer all things stainless steel. I do know the original prototype where not badged, from the 60's yes that's right 60's, the rob cook ludwig book shows one of these kits! the 70's prototypes where badged with what looked like the pointed blue olive badge, but where silver with only the LUDWIG name on them and the serial numbers where etched in the badges by hand! and one of the old steel society guys has one of those kits, ludwig distributed these to only there top dealers in the US, by this they where able to gauge the public's reaction to them, which was a bonafide success!!

My drums has B/O badges without serienumbers...???

[Lotus]

It is a Stainless steel kit. 12,13,16,22" with a supersensitive snare 1964.
I'll try to get a picture of them here...in other forums i never done that sucessfully...posting a pic i mean...

[Lotus]

Here's the pictures
Not the best ones but...

20986

20987

[Lotus]

I play them everyday, they bring a smile to my heart.
It's my second Ludwig kit, the first, early -80, i traded for Yamaha RC serie in the middle of -80.
Since then a long for "new" Ludwigs.
What year where they made, do you think?

http://www.ludwig-drums.com/features/hoamld/serialnumbers.php


I dont think they were made in 1970...I'm a little bit confused...

[Dno]

Yeah Gday

Man Ive been away from here too long & have been missing out on the action. Thats very interesting about the 60s protypes Lotus, does anyone know how to contact the guy who owns the kit & maybe get some pics on here for us .

Cheers
Dno

[carl a]

You need to just give Carl a call, or i can have him call you when i see him on the 15th. He's a very cool man and straight shooter. He'll let you know the Green Sparkle is plugged. His Stainless kit used to belong to my friend Rudy before it made its way to Carl. The post on that one was put on off center and Carl had to spend a fortune in welding up the hole, lathe work, polish work, and it has a plate welded inside to keep it together. He did a great job bringing it back. Rudy let it go after buying a perfect "original stainless kit" from our friend Bob which he still has. As for the maple, look a little closer, all 2009 lugs w gaskets, incorrect laquer, waves from sanding in the bass and a keller hi-tom. He's selling it, guess how much? $10,000. to Japan. The Vistalite= perfection original. Stands are correct, but easy to find and own, of course with the exception of the 1402's. The Gong is a 2009. If you own these then you know they are not the same design as the 73' Bonham had. Side note, Johns 73' was a 38" but had no chinese script. Carl waisted a small fortune getting one put on the 2009 38" The one John had with the chinese script was a 30" w/ a paiste and Ludwig script logo stamped in the back. Its the one used on early shows and all recordings. Johns sold here a few months ago for $64,000. Not bad chunk of change! Very,very tough gong to find, but thats the one with my kit i had listed for sale on feebay.

actually i didnt spend a small fortune getting this gong,,first of all they only come by boat from switzerland every 3 mts to san diego = paiste of america,,each time it came it had the paiste logo but no chinese lettering=in to good out to evil,,so i sent it back 3 times =9 mts,,finally eric paiste called guitar center in arlington hgts and asked why i keep returning it,,they replied bec you are not putting the chinese lettering on it,,so after 12 mts i got the gong the 4th gong and it didnt cost me a small fortune it was 1500.00 with the mallett and stand complete! as far as the maple kit the lugs on that kit were trash,,so instead of paying thru the nose for pitted lugs and i needed all of them for the full kit,,i bought new and i wanted the gaskets on it to protect the finish,,i built it for me not to be ''correct'' as its not 4 sale,,so i did it the way i wanted it,,as far as the swirl marks on the bass drum i have no idea about where this is coming from as i never saw one,!,as far as the larquer i purposly used this brand as these shells cannot be refinished any more,,so i wanted a moder larquer that would last -- the factory larquer didnt-- so i didnt use it,,again i built this kit for me not to be ''correct'' ---if i did it to be correct it wouldnt last with that larquer ---and then i could not be redone again,,so to make it stick around i did it my way,,as its my drum,,,the amber kit is a prefect 9.5 condition and i have the 20'' floor tom,,,i since then have another maple kit so now i have 2 both 1972's one was a origional factory ordered bonham kit,,the orgional owner ordered in in late 1971 when he saw bonham play it live,,,i got the kit from his friend,,the keller shell was made for me as it came with a 10x14 from ludwig so one kit has the factory 10x14 the other has the keller to make the bonham kit,,i currently have it set up as double bass as a communication breakdown kit,,and yes matt synard did the kit for chris it has a plugged center hole,,,the stainless kit had the tom mount cut in off center --- looked like he did it with a can opener after drinking a case of beer,,,the fella i bought it from was not rudy so who posted that is wrong,,and i didnt spend a fortune on that either--- he welded a new stainless piece in the top sanded it and cut the hole square for me,,then buffed the shell out it was under 500 bucks,,,but it again was worth it as there rare,,,i didnt weld a reinforcement plate in it either i dont know where you guys get your information but your way off base here,,,the reinforcement plate came from tom meadows my other bonzo bro partner we were doing stainless kits a few years back and he had a extra plate he gave me,,as there rare too,,so now you got the skinny on my 5 bonham kits straight from the horses mouth,,,any questions ask me,,id rather tell you the truth than read this way off information second hand,,,,bash and smash carl librizzi---bonzobrosdrumspresents

[Bonzo_Stixx]

Hey Vintage. Do the Dunett kits have that reinforcement plate under the tom mount like the originals?

Hey, Stainless Fanz... This is Tom - the OTHER Bonzo Brother / Carl's partner in grime at Bonzo Bros Drums (http://www.bonzobrosdrumspresents.com)... To answer your questions on the Dunnet vs. Vintage Ludwig shells...

Ronn doesn't put that 1/2" bearing edge type lip on his shells like the old Ludwigs have. It is just a piece of flat stainless welded together and the edges smoothed out as much as possible. Instead of the custom lug / tom mount reinforcement plate that came in the old Ludwigs that were drilled for a tom mount at Ludwig prior to shipping (No tom mount - no plate! Add a tom without it and the shell will cave in!) - Ronn Dunnett uses a section of 6-ply wood shell inside to add strength to the tom mount area and to the bass spurs area (which Ludwig did not use). Not very attractive but serves the purpose! Kleening White heads only! Keep on Pl :2Cents:

[Bonzo_Stixx]

Thanks! Carl's the one with the amazing collection - these days anyway! (Damn recession!!) We stumbled onto one another when VistaliteDrums.com did feature articles on both of us... I remember seeing his Amber set-up with 3 floor toms, 2 tympanis and the correct gong and thinking, "That ******* has a cooler Bonham kit than mine!! GOD! I hate that guy!" LOL... Bowing

My Amber kit is just a reissue (but it was the kit used by Jeff Ogeltree in the "Trust Your Ears" DVD as I bought it from Todd Trent, former Artist Relations Manager for Ludwig, and it was only used for artist video and photo sessions) with one 28" tympani I stole off eBay for $150 and a 26" WuHan gong... Not exactly the authenticity that Carl's kits possess!! Players kit - not a collector's kit!

I bought one of the 100 Collector's Item Dunnett Bonham Kits and a custom made Dunnett Stainless Snare to match when they first came out! $8,000+ my ass... I paid $3200 and sold it for $3000... Sam Ash here in Las Vegas still has one that they keep at 6 year old height display so yo would need to send it to a stainless shop to buff all of the scratches out of it! I didn't have the deep tone my old Ludwig Stainless does.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21309&stc=1&d=1286864319

I've got a stainless Octa-Plus with 24" bass drums that I steal a bass from and add a 14" Classic Tom to for an imposter Bonham set up! LOL... I keep looking for a 26" with the tom mount but I doubt I'll find one! If I did I would put Mach lugs on a 15" Concert Tom to double head it and make the Bonham set up but... :confused:
Take care and nice to meet you!!

[PaiceFan]

Great new posts! I'm glad to see this thread picking up steam again. Great fun facts about the reinforcement plates. Am I to understand if the bass drum was virgin it did not get one? Made me think of a kit that was for sale years ago.in a local music store A quadraplus with a virgin 26" kick in stainless. What would that Bass drum be worth today? Keep posting the photos boys!

[Dno]

Hey V2K

Top link mate, there's an old thread I put up ages ago you responded to that has been bought back to life. It was about Dunnett Drums, check it out its a bit further up the main page.

Cheers
Dno

[mendozart]

Jonnistix has already posted this but I thought it appropriate for us steel heads!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lSfy07CYT8&feature=player_embedded#!

Cool vid. I'm sure this has been noted before, but in case it hasn't, I see that Bonham's 12x15 tom has a cut-off B/O badge. I've heard that you could find these on some Ludwig endorser drums.

[drums2xs]

sick kit :) can i come over and play them bad boys lol congrats on your s/s kit

[PaiceFan]

Cool vid. I'm sure this has been noted before, but in case it hasn't, I see that Bonham's 12x15 tom has a cut-off B/O badge. I've heard that you could find these on some Ludwig endorser drums.

Cool observation. Could you explain what a cutoff B/O badge looks like? I have never heard that before.

[mendozart]

Cool observation. Could you explain what a cutoff B/O badge looks like? I have never heard that before.

Generally, you will now see them on B-stock drums, like on the one in this pic.

[PaiceFan]

Thanks for the answer. Always eager to learn about any Ludwig trivia!

[Dno]

Yeah Gday

Any of you guys see the 16" x 18" S/S floor tom on ebay go?

[Dno]

Ah yeah mate it sold... it will owe me $1280 USD when its landed here down under, $830 USD won the bid I have been looking for one since I landed my kit in Jan this year. This not only adds great value & thunder to my kit but lets us S/S nuts & others know the expected price tag for rare sizes in quality materials now days. It looks in good shape however I will take some before & after pics as it too will get the Dno polishing treatment to fit in perfectly with its new family.Cool1

[Dno]

Yeah mate Im over the moon about being able to invest in that. Hey what floor tom legs did the S/S kits come out with, long with short knurling?

[Dno]

Thanks V2K, I have just tried to listen to the BBC on John Bonham againViolin with Dave G but it is no longer available

[PaiceFan]

Hey V>2K did you ever finnish that 26" bass drum if so I need pics.

[Dno]

Hey Paice Fan man

Mate I scored a 78 22" black label 2002 today & after talking 26" S/S Bonham & 26" Maple Paice the guy asked me who I prefered, Bonham or Paice. Here's my question for you lot... what can Bonham do that Paice cant? What can Paice do that Bonham could'nt? Listen to them both from the 70s & be honest what you think. My honest opinion..if Ian Paice fell over tomorrow,
( which I hope he lives forever) I bet people will start stating he was a better drummer than Bonham & that he was way under rated. Think about the 70s green sparkle 26" bass kits they both had & the sound...put the head phones on, shut your eyes & listenD' Drummer

Cheers
Dno

[Dno]

With at one time both used the very same exact kit one set up righty the other lefty. Bonham, was more of everything paice Isn't. I like paice but he took himself to seriously for my taste! when he coined himself worlds greatest drummer???? Bonham, has No equal!

Wicked...hey when did Paice say that?

[Dno]

OK Stainless Steel Freaks, here's some steel **** for ya!! From our Buddies at Not So Modern Drummer Magazine publisher George Lawrence!! Read and enjoy!!! http://www.notsomoderndrummer-digital.com/notsomoderndrummer/summer2010#pg18

Ah mate...10 million points on that one V2k, Its a pleasure to be able to read that...well we know what a 18" floor tom goes for in your neck of the woods now days !

[PaiceFan]

Not going to get into who was better Bonham or Paice. Lovem both! Both are Giants in my opinion. V>2K I think you have Ian Paice mixed up with Ginger Baker. If you have ever heard Ian Paice talk he is very humble. I'm certain he would never claim to be "worlds greatest drummer" And while were talkin tech Paice used a 12"x16" Rack tom on his Silver Sparkle Ludwig kit. It looked like a giant tuna fish can Ha Ha.

[PaiceFan]

Hey V>2K great link to not so modern drummer. That guy has some collection! Although his info about the kit he bought being a Pro Beat was totally wrong. A Pro Beat set up is a 14"x24" bass drum 9"x13",10"x14" Toms 16" and 18" floor toms.

[Dno]

Well I thought id drop the Paice Bonham thing in to see if I could get a bite...I guess it worked.LoLoLoLo Yeah Bonham & Paice are very different in my opinion alright & listening to them both is very inspirational. My 18" is on its way overClapping Happy2...jeeze am I looking forward to seeing that. Have a great week.

Dno

[drums2xs]

Don't want to see this thread go to the second page.

i never get sick of looking at this set :)

[drums2xs]

Steel Freakiez More ****! this is different shots of different shells! the first pic is the Inside of the 24" shell with the factory shell supporter,and others! Hey Dno the last pics are what you'll be looking at down under Soon mate!! awe drum **** lol

[Dno]

Steel Freakiez More ****! this is different shots of different shells! the first pic is the Inside of the 24" shell with the factory shell supporter,and others! Hey Dno the last pics are what you'll be looking at down under Soon mate!!

Yeah & stop teasing me I cant wait Jump For Joy

[PaiceFan]

I'm dying to see some pics of that 26" !

[Dno]

Here's some of both a 26" and 24"

I thought I told you not to tease meJump For Joy

[PaiceFan]

Awesome that 26" is great. How do you like that aquarian head? Are you going to leave the hoops natural ? Or go the black and silver sparkle route? DNO your not the only one thats jealous. Did you see the 20" Stainless Floor tom on E-bay it looks a little beat. But I bet there are not too many of those around.

[Dno]

Awesome that 26" is great. How do you like that aquarian head? Are you going to leave the hoops natural ? Or go the black and silver sparkle route? DNO your not the only one thats jealous. Did you see the 20" Stainless Floor tom on E-bay it looks a little beat. But I bet there are not too many of those around.

Nah mate did'nt see a 20" how much did it go for.

[Dno]

Thats an old pic of the 26" bass I have a Remo powerstoke 3 on the back now, I don't really like aquarian heads all that much, it's what it came with when I bought it!

Hey V2K Im running a Superkick 1 on my 22" S/S & Im very curious ot try a Coated Emperor, have you ran one on a S/S before ?

[PaiceFan]

DNO that 20" floortom is still up. How rare is a 20" Floor Tom in Stainless? They coud'nt have made many of those.

[PaiceFan]

Nah those 20's are a little too big even for my tastes. I only played one, ever and that was way back in the 80's. I remember it was almost impossible to get any thing but a thud out of it. I must admit I like the way they look. more of a novelty thing. Maybe with the modern head choices you may be able to get one to sound good. P.S. Have you ever seen a 14" Floor Tom in Stainless ? I wonder if they made those. I have seen 20" Bass drums in stainless. So maybe they made bop sizes.

[PaiceFan]

Yeah. He pulled it down to raise the minimum bid to $699. evidently some drum expert schooled him how rare it was. The seller states less than 10 were ever made. I don't know how you could verify that. In my opinion this drum looks a little rough for my tastes.

[PaiceFan]

Those 12"x 15" s Your talking about are those marching toms? I can't remember seeing a double headed 12"x15" that had large classic lugs.

[PaiceFan]

But I think they made 12"x15" concert toms Go Figure! And my question has always been why did Bonzo's 12x15 have the smaller Mach lugs then the standard marchers? I mean I've read the stories about the factory swapping a marcher off the line. But Bonzo's 12x15 is unique in that reguard.

[PaiceFan]

Do you have any pictures of that drum? I have never seen a stainless drum with a keystone badge. Man you have some tasty stuff.

[PaiceFan]

Thanks ! V>2K Your the man.

[PaiceFan]

I'm having trouble finding a 67' Ludwig catalog that has Marching drums. I'ts pathetic that I obsess over this stuff.

[Dno]

Yes Or if you think about it all stainless steel 12x15" are marchers or the High Tension Series they didn't offer but up to a 10x14" Double Headed toms that is in Stainless Steel as a Drum Kit Option. the 12x15 ludwig pulled from the marchers.

Yeah Gday You Lot

Im back... hey I just bought a 12" x 15" S/S tom from the US off freebay. It gets here & it is not S/S its a chrome pig with a snare bed ! An original S/S will have the inside weld visable like all the S/S drums do... these marching drums are spun steel with no seam. They will show little magnetic properties as the steel pig has been dipped in copper before chroming. Bonhams 15" I guess was no doubt S/S hence the different lugs, all of the marching drums have the longer Mach high tension lugs. I see another 18" floor tom on freebay now...I guess me paying a high price is bringing them out of the wood work !

[PaiceFan]

V2K do you have any idea what that 20" floortom went for ?

[Dno]

Dno. I was watching that tom in fact I even bid on it myself, that was a nice one, Dno, Stainless marchers also came with regular classic lugs also! not just the mach lugs! yeah you brought out a bunch of 18" and 16" steel toms!! Dno, Brother your going to be blown away by your two new toms!! keep us posted!

Mate you have got me lost there about the 16" & 18" steel tomsCooked Egg
The 18" has landed brothersBowing

[Dno]

Hey have any of you guys seen a original 15" Tom with a seam in it?

[Dno]

Yeah mate thats what Im talking about the real deal, the 15" I got off freebay Im gona turn into a lamp shadeelectricit! What size is that drum of yours in the pic 15" ?

[Dno]

The guy told me it was a S/S Tom, its an old spun steel marching drum with the galv coating on the inside & snare bedCryBaby

[Dno]

How much did he get it for?Bowing

[Dno]

Ah good deal mate sounds like its gone to a real good home... hey what do vistalites sound like, do you own a set Im getting keen on a set. I will get some pics up of the pig I got off freebay this week too mate.

Cheers
Dno:D

[vintagemore2000]

Dno. Here is the color I'm after but I'm after a 10x14" this one in the pic is a beauty But I don't like the price of this seller either?http://cgi.ebay.com/1970s-Ludwig-10x14-Pattern-C-Swirl-Vistalite-Tom-Drum-/110603517992?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item19c07bc028

[Dno]

Ah check it out mate...it looks like something out of the front of a Barber's shop or a big tasty lollieExcited I will get the 15" pics done before the weekend mate...have'nt had a chance to start the polishing on the 18" tom yet either just ripped it to bits, might be the xmas project.
Cheers

[Dno]

Here ya go mate this is gona be the new lamp shadeToilet

[mendozart]

Originally Posted by mendozart
Cool vid. I'm sure this has been noted before, but in case it hasn't, I see that Bonham's 12x15 tom has a cut-off B/O badge. I've heard that you could find these on some Ludwig endorser drums. Cool observation. Could you explain what a cutoff B/O badge looks like? I have never heard that before.

I just watched the video again, and I'm mistaken, the badge is a full one. BTW, this is the kit he played when I saw them at the "Fabulous Forum", in Los Angeles in 1977.:cool:

[PaiceFan]

Well I had to resurrect this thread because I need some imput on a very odd looking stainless kit that is currently listed on e-bay. While his heading says it's from the 60's we know that is wrong. But this kit is certainly an odd ball. At least to me. It seems to be a factory single head kit. Thats right. Although single headed toms "concert toms" are quite common I have never seen single headed stainless Bass drums and floor toms. They apear to have no holes drilled for bottom heads. Your thoughts and comments?

[vintagemore2000]

Doesn't it look like there are holes Inside the shells, I'll take a look at the ebay auction and see if we can figure this monkey out?

[Drumjinx]

I contacted the seller and he sent this response. He also says it was a special order....very cool.

"Thanks for the web site Jerry. I looked up the serial number the set is 1978-1979. Sorry I miss read the number, Thanks again Tom"

[PaiceFan]

Thanks Jinx! The plot thickens. But a couple of things don't jive. Maybe this photo shows more clearly that there are no holes drilled on the bottom of the floor toms

[PaiceFan]

Sorry for the photo mishap. Here's the link http://cgi.ebay.com/Ludwig-Vintage-1965-Stainless-Steel-Drum-Set-/110632446981?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item19c2352c05

[vintagemore2000]

Yep another Special order! as with Ludwig Don't ever say they never made those, it will come to bite you, that is a beautiful kit!!! anyone gonna buy them?

[PaiceFan]

A little too 70's for my tastes V2K. The concert toms I could deal with, but single headed Bass drums? I don't know. Very interesting kit though. I love oddities. Now the question. If you had them would you put bottom heads on them?

[vintagemore2000]

A little too 70's for my tastes V2K. The concert toms I could deal with, but single headed Bass drums? I don't know. Very interesting kit though. I love oddities. Now the question. If you had them would you put bottom heads on them?NO! I'd just find a double sided one. , I'm not a concert tom fan,but it is a cool kit.

[Dno]

Ah Yeah Gday

Been a while since I have been on, talk about busy I hope all is well. Well I finally got started on the 18" floor tom polishing mission yesterday, the drum is in not too bad a shape its alot better than the rest of the kit when I started them nearly a year ago to the day! Yes there will be progress pics on the horizon I have a ways to go yet, I notice there is alot more of the S/S getting dusted off & coming out...Im just waiting on a 26" to roll my wayEye Ball

[vintagemore2000]

Dno, good to hear from you mate, hey, I've finally photographed all my stainless steel drums, don't have them all set up to big to set them all together in my house so here they are separate,the first pic is of course the kit in a 14x24", 12x15,16x16, 16x18, 6 1/2x14, the second pic is the 9x13", the third is the 10x14" and the last pic is the 14x26", post your pic of your floor when she's ready! hey also take a look at this link, they are being sold by a good bud of mine, very reasonable. http://www.drumforum.org/index.php?/topic/44886-ludwig-stainless-steel-marching-toms-bass-drum-kit/page__pid__497163#entry497163

[Dno]

Gday V2, mate great to hear from you, have'nt I told you before about teasing me with 26" drumsHurting

[vintagemore2000]

Ok steel freakies, sorry we haven't added anything here in awhile hey take a look at this super cool kit, I say its homemade by someone who knew what they where doing!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190516707733&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Drumjinx]

I love this thread...so I would like to add to it.

Have you ever seen one of these? Mach lugs on a Stainless Steel kit! I just finished this "Heavy Mother"! Heavy in more than one way!
This will most probable be the last finished project shot by the pool ( I am moving). But I think it is a fitting parting shot. I like the way it reflects the water.
Lots of polishing on this baby, but it came out awesome!
I got this Bronze snare back just in time. I thought about getting a Chrome Supra...but the bronze is a nice contrast.
The drums are 13-16-24

And for those of you who had polished their SS projects...my hat is off to you guys. Here is how I save my fingers and arms from hours (if not days) of hand polishing.
http://www.youtube.com/user/drumsjinx#p/u/7/n38hpXKR5js

http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Mach%20Lug%20SS%20Pool%202%20002%20%28Medium%29.JP G

http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Mach%20Lug%20SS%20Pool%20020%20%28Medium%29.JPG

http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Mach%20Lug%20SS%20Pool%203%20004%20%28Medium%29.JP G

[vintagemore2000]

Awesome awesome awesome!! Nothing even comes close to stainless steel kit, No Wood Or fiberglass kit can even go toe to toe with em!!! But I'm slightly biased also!!!electricit

[OddBall]

I`ll go toe to toe against those pots-n-pans,...only I`ll use assorted white buckets and saw blades !! :D

"Hey Hey Hey"