Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 184.97704%

Not Good - How bad is this? Last viewed: 45 seconds ago

Posts: 110 Threads: 18
Loading...

Well, I got my Luddies in today, and they are not in as good of shape as Guitar Center led me to believe. The bass drum is the worst. Is this just the wrap separating from heat over the years or is this a sign the drum is warped? Should I return the kit for a refund or is this type of seam separation fairly common?

[IMG]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/cbsnow31/SanAntonio-20120301-00118.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/cbsnow31/WestBexar-20120301-00119.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Loading...

Well, I'm not an expert on this but guys like Jack Lawton (Lawton Drum Co.), JR Frondelli (Frondelli USA Drums) are the experts for that type of repair...If you paid via PayPal then you know how "pro-buyer" they are so file away with a claim if the need arises...good luck.

Mike Curotto

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37
Loading...

The pic is so blurry, I can`t tell if that shrinkage is not separation, just dirty lap glue, or separation !!

If it is separation,..the wrap was cut too short for a lap.

Take that lug off and show the seam under it !!

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Loading...

I think you're alright. Under less than ideal conditions, those wraps would shrink some, which is what it looks like is going on there (hard to say with your photos though). Just check out the drum for in round-ness (which it won't be perfectly round due to how they did those shells) and see how it tunes up.

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Loading...

A couple of questions, but I will try & help...

1) I see the curved spurs, which puts your kit in the 70s. Is this an early 70s 3-ply w/rings shell (clear or granitone interior), or later 70s 6-ply shell (clear interior)? If the latter, it could be a set that was produced before they started putting the rivets along the seams.

2) Are you sure this isn't a rewrap? If it's a 3-ply w/rings shell, I've rarely seen the type of seam seperation you have due to how Ludwig's wrap on these shells was actually started in as part of the ply-building process (I hope I described that right!) as well as the type of glue they used. There was usually a flat spot where the wrap actually started, and if it's a rewrap you can clearly see where the original wrap was cut off at the seem when looking down at the bearing edges.

I'm bought drums that someone had attempted to rewrap on occasion. I've seen people try to "butt" their seams together instead of overlapping them which almost always sooner-or-later results in seperation that your pictures seem to show.

Just my thoughts and hope they help.

BTW -- they still may be keepers, depending upon what you paid for them...

Bill

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Loading...

looks like an old dirty seam to me...better pics would help.

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 110 Threads: 18
Loading...

Sorry, my BlackBerry takes horrible pictures. I took the lugs off.

[IMG]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/cbsnow31/WestBexar-20120301-00120.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g280/cbsnow31/SanAntonio-20120301-00121.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Loading...

Ooh, I didn't see all that ugly shrinkage and the nails!

Send em back! Get another kit with less -major- issues.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Loading...

Ludwig's were notorious for wrap separation in those days, to the point that they put rivets along the seems to try to stop the wrap from lifting. The rivet method did not help, either. That being said, I don't think they're in that bad a condition.

As Bill said, they may be worth keeping if you got a good deal on them. Mike gave you some good names for repairing your issue and John basically told you how to do it. Contact GC and see if you can talk them into refunding some money for your troubles. I'm sure they'd rather give you some money back rather than all your money plus shipping.

Good luck!

I'm no guru, just a vintage drum junkie!

Psalm 150:5
1945 Slingerland RK sparkling gold pearl 26/13/14/16/early 50s 5.5x14 Krupa RK
1967 Slingerland green glass glitter 20/12/14/Hollywood Ace
60s Slingerland 24/13/16/7x14 project
24/13/16/7x14 project RKs
60s 5 & 6.5 Sound Kings
1942 7x14 WMP Krupa RK
1930s Slingerland Universal
1967 Ludwig Hollywood sparkling blue pearl 22/12/13/16
1967 Ludwig Supraphonic 400 & 402
1965 Ludwig Jazz Fest sparkling blue pearl
1923 Ludwig 5x14 NOB
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 110 Threads: 18
Loading...

From billnvick

A couple of questions, but I will try & help...1) I see the curved spurs, which puts your kit in the 70s. Is this an early 70s 3-ply w/rings shell (clear or granitone interior), or later 70s 6-ply shell (clear interior)? If the latter, it could be a set that was produced before they started putting the rivets along the seams.2) Are you sure this isn't a rewrap? If it's a 3-ply w/rings shell, I've rarely seen the type of seam seperation you have due to how Ludwig's wrap on these shells was actually started in as part of the ply-building process (I hope I described that right!) as well as the type of glue they used. There was usually a flat spot where the wrap actually started, and if it's a rewrap you can clearly see where the original wrap was cut off at the seem when looking down at the bearing edges.I'm bought drums that someone had attempted to rewrap on occasion. I've seen people try to "butt" their seams together instead of overlapping them which almost always sooner-or-later results in seperation that your pictures seem to show.Just my thoughts and hope they help.BTW -- they still may be keepers, depending upon what you paid for them...Bill

Bill,

They are 1976 3 plys. They have the reinforcement rings and the speckle paint. I dont know if they are a rewrap or not. I paid $849 shipped for them so I dont know if this was a stellar deal or not. Sizes 24, 18, 16, 14, 13 and 6, 8, 10, 12 concert toms. It will never be a collectors kit because the 10,12, 13, and 14 toms were painted black inside. That didnt bother me because I was going to put white heads on both the reso and batter. I was talking with Jack @ Lawton Drums about adding the lower hardware for the 10 and 12. I mainly wanted a good players kit, but I also don't want a Beverly Hillbilly set.

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action Something else here