Anything you can save on the price by getting the guy to come down a bit (harp on the seam problems and how they will have to be re-wrapped,) will help defray the cost of re-wrapping them. They are worth the investment just know that you'll never be able to make any money on a resale. By re-wrapping them you'll cut their market value in half. If they be keepers, buy them, wrap them any way you like and enjoy them.

Purdie, are you saying that the drums will be worth more if I leave them as is, with the wrap shrunk? Or perhaps graft in some matching wrap to fill the gaps?

What would be your purpose for buying the set? Gigging, resale, restoration project, etc.?

Obviously, original is better for resale value, even with the flaws - IMHO...These mach sets are not as common as the other models Ludwig produced...

Like John stated (Purdie), if you plan on keeping the set and not worried about resale value, than do what you like with them...

Cheers

What would be your purpose for buying the set? Gigging, resale, restoration project, etc.?

I'm not sure. I have always loved the looks of the lugs (even though I don't particularly care for the long lugs by Yamaha, Sonor, and others). However, I'm not too fond of BDP. I thought about a restoration project involving rewrap and then keeping them. My dilemma is that I don't want their value to plummet should I later decide that I don't need to keep them any longer. I am a woodworker and want to try my hand at restoration, but would prefer to preserve their value, too. Hence, my question about whether they are more valuable just left alone ( with shrunk wrap and wood showing) or perfect looking but not any longer original.

If you can, please post some pics so we can see exactly the extent of the shrinkage and such...

Cheers

My Doctor asked for the same kind of pics.:)

Sorry

Yes pics of the Mach Set would be nice.

So I haven't yet gotten to them to be able to re-assess or take photos. He did tell me, however, that his bottom dollar, with a steel Supra 400, would be $800. I don't see this as a particularly good deal from a perspective of rehabbing them if such rehab (including rewrapping them) caused the value to drop significantly. From your posts, it sounds like I should either not rewrap them, or rewrap them so I can stand to look at them (the shrunk wrap would drive me crazy) and just enjoy them, not worry about resale value. Am I reading you right?

Okay, I was able to see them today. Serial numbers place them as 1976. My memory was faulty, as it turns out that they DO have granitone paint, not matte gray as previously stated. Upon close inspection, there is some crackling of the chrome on a few of the lugs. I think chrome flaking off may be in their future. Please see the attached photos for your examination. Another question: you have said that the value plummets if I were to re-wrap them. Would that also be the case if I were able to graft narrow pieces of wrap into the gaps?

Thanks.

So, checking the completed listings on ebay, supra 400`s have been selling between $200-$275...Let`s subtract that amount from the $800 price tag which leaves you in the $525 to $600 cost range for just the drums...

The lugs are easy to procure...Marching toms are great donors and/or they come up on Ebay and Reverb all the time...

I wouldn`t recommend grafting pieces of wrap in the bare seam areas because it wouldn`t look right and would reflect the value as well...

If you do choose a rewrap, you have decreased the value of the set (without the snare) to approximately $250-$300...The cost of purchasing a good wrap is at least the same cost...So, you have just added approximately $500-$600 to the cost of the set...So, this cost plus the original cost of the drums (minus the snare) is now approximately $1000-$1200...Can you recoup this money when you sell it, I doubt it...

But, if you are looking for a project and you are going to gig the set, or, keep it for quite awhile, then a rewrap is an option...If you just plan to do the project and resell them, it isn`t a good investment...

If this were my set, I would leave the original wrap on the drums...The wrap looks like it`s in nice condition from what I can see...Of course, this is only my opinion...

I hope this helps...I`m sure some other members will chime in with input as well...

Cheers

I have seen far worse separation. The wrap seems to be firmly attached which is a plus. You have a $200 snare and a $500 drum set in my opinion. His price is not ridiculous though. The Mach lugs just do not have the same resale value as the classic lug drums. Most of us on here see a drum purchase in terms of a future re-sale. If I were keeping them forever (or at least planning to) $800 does not seem unreasonable for the drums. I would ask the seller how much he wants for the snare alone. Take that answer and then make an offer without the snare unless getting the snare is important. Those three ply Ludwigs should sound great. Black Diamond Pearl is a classy tried and true Ludwig finish.

Gentlemen, thank you so much for your input. It has been invaluable. When I went to check out the drums, he deleted the snare from the deal but stayed firm on his price. Based on all you've told me and what I have seen, I will pass on this one. But you've educated me quite a bit.

By the way, I didn't know the mach lugs were necessarily less valuable than the classic lugs. Well, I still like their appearance, so I'll keep my eyes peeled.

May your tempo never waver.