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Ludwig S/L vs. Ludwig Rocker Last viewed: 3 hours ago

Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

From eamesuser

@ ARDRUMMER,perhaps my original post was to wordy/disorganized,but only difference between the S/L and rockers is the bass drum thickness,Rockers all 4 ply about 1/4 inch thick, S/L toms 4 ply bass drum 6 ply at around 3/8 thick.Check this linkhttp://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_rockers.html

I have an original copy of the 1984/75th anniversary Ludwig catalog that is a slightly different version of the one posted in the main VDG site. It doesn't show the "S/L" series at all. In the version I have, what is shown as S/L series here are now labeled the Rocker series. Same classic series lugs and thinner shells than the classic series drums. Same pictures as the S/L series, just renamed Rockers. Then there is the one set of Rocker II's shown. Those have the old "Standard" series lugs with the granitone interiors to the shells.

So, depending on which version of the catalog you have, they could be S/L series, or they could be Rocker series. Either way they are still great drums.

Posted on 8 years ago
#11
Posts: 786 Threads: 154

From eamesuser

@ ARDRUMMER,perhaps my original post was to wordy/disorganized,but only difference between the S/L and rockers is the bass drum thickness,Rockers all 4 ply about 1/4 inch thick, S/L toms 4 ply bass drum 6 ply at around 3/8 thick.Check this linkhttp://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_rockers.html

Thanks for the info! So really not much difference at all between the two series

Posted on 8 years ago
#12
Posts: 786 Threads: 154

From Ludwig-dude

I have an original copy of the 1984/75th anniversary Ludwig catalog that is a slightly different version of the one posted in the main VDG site. It doesn't show the "S/L" series at all. In the version I have, what is shown as S/L series here are now labeled the Rocker series. Same classic series lugs and thinner shells than the classic series drums. Same pictures as the S/L series, just renamed Rockers. Then there is the one set of Rocker II's shown. Those have the old "Standard" series lugs with the granitone interiors to the shells.So, depending on which version of the catalog you have, they could be S/L series, or they could be Rocker series. Either way they are still great drums.

Interesting...the lines between the two series definitely seem blurred in some cases

Posted on 8 years ago
#13
Posts: 1362 Threads: 229

From ardrummer

Interesting...the lines between the two series definitely seem blurred in some cases

I have had a few of both kits and have not seen a clear line difference between the two. The bass spurs and shell thicknesses could or could not match what I found in catalogs. My thoughts on them have always been it's Ludwig so anything goes. Also they are decent sounding drums.

+1 on the snare drums. I got one with a Clubdate I bought forever ago and they do sound good. Oddly enough the shell on that snare was 3 ply; two outer plies of something and a nice thick inner ply of poplar with no re rings.

Sonor SQ2 10 14 18 American Walnut
L.A. Camco 12 14 18 Moss Green
Gretsch Round Badge 12 14 18 w/snare Champagne
Gretsch Round Badge 12 14 20 w/snare Burgundy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhdcpleTKlI

82nd ABN DIV OEF OIF Combat Infantry Veteran
Posted on 8 years ago
#14
Posts: 111 Threads: 26

From ardrummer

Interesting...the lines between the two series definitely seem blurred in some cases

Indeed. I Just picked up a S/L or Rocker kit today for $200, and it's an anomaly.

This is another one in between the S/L and Rocker kits. It's a 4-ply shell with granitone interior, forward-facing disappearing spurs, and metal bass drum hoops like the Rocker II. However, it has the Classic lugs like the S/L series.

I had another one of these a few years ago and this one does have a few differences. First, this one has large lugs on the bass drum instead of the small lugs like on my other kit. It has Ludwig claws instead of generic claws. It has Ludwig tom rims instead of generic tom rims. And the outside of the shell is flat. The other kit had a raised overlapping panel on the outside of the shell.

[IMG]http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz339/varatrodder/IMG_0014_zpsflppq4hg.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 8 years ago
#15
Posts: 733 Threads: 49

Just FYI

I have a large Rocker set (10pc) from 1988 that is all 4ply and clear interiors that came with the Standard lugs on all drums. So I don't know if you can say all Rocker sets have classic lugs and clear int. and Rocker II sets have standard lugs and coated int.

Not meant to be pointing at anyone in this forum just a generalization to what I read in the link above.

Wayne

Posted on 8 years ago
#16
Posts: 786 Threads: 154

From jwsedens

Indeed. I Just picked up a S/L or Rocker kit today for $200, and it's an anomaly. This is another one in between the S/L and Rocker kits. It's a 4-ply shell with granitone interior, forward-facing disappearing spurs, and metal bass drum hoops like the Rocker II. However, it has the Classic lugs like the S/L series.I had another one of these a few years ago and this one does have a few differences. First, this one has large lugs on the bass drum instead of the small lugs like on my other kit. It has Ludwig claws instead of generic claws. It has Ludwig tom rims instead of generic tom rims. And the outside of the shell is flat. The other kit had a raised overlapping panel on the outside of the shell.

Very cool kit! Nice find

Posted on 8 years ago
#17
Posts: 111 Threads: 26

From DRUMR69

Just FYII have a large Rocker set (10pc) from 1988 that is all 4ply and clear interiors that came with the Standard lugs on all drums. So I don't know if you can say all Rocker sets have classic lugs and clear int. and Rocker II sets have standard lugs and coated int.Not meant to be pointing at anyone in this forum just a generalization to what I read in the link above.Wayne

My understanding was the Rocker drums had clear maple interiors and Rocker II had granitone. Both versions of the Rockers had the Standard lugs, while the earlier S/L drums had the classic lugs.

Posted on 8 years ago
#18
Posts: 733 Threads: 49

From jwsedens

My understanding was the Rocker drums had clear maple interiors and Rocker II had granitone. Both versions of the Rockers had the Standard lugs, while the earlier S/L drums had the classic lugs.

OK Makes a little more sense now, thanks for the input.

Posted on 8 years ago
#19
Posts: 111 Threads: 26

Another development in the Rocker/SL story...

The kit I picked up had a 12" tom, but no 13" tom so I picked up one on eBay. The shell on the 13" tom is thicker than the others. Still 4-ply, still has the granitone...just about 1-2mm thicker.

I don't know if it really means anything, but the 13" has a higher serial number.

Posted on 8 years ago
#20
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