The difference is the hardware package that comes with the set. Everything else is the same. Hope I helped.

The very minor addition is the early Hollywoods came with twin 12s and until 65 or so came with a Jazz Fest.

Early on with the Big Beat you could also order an optional 24" bass drum. This was not an option on the Hollywood set. But like was stated before, its mainly classic hardware pack (hollywood) vs Atlas hardware (big beat)

How is the hardware different? Looking at the catalog - http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_drumsets_1971.html - I can't really see the difference.

What makkes a Jazzfest a jazzfest?

The only thing that's not different in the two sets of hardware are the cymbal stands depicted for both the Big Beat and the Hollywood. The Atlas hardware package was still fairly new at the time and they obviously didn't have any of the Atlas cymbal stands available when the catalog photo was taken. But take a look again at the snare stands, hi-hat stands and bass drum spurs. Jumping2

A Jazz Festival snare drum is a 5 X14 3-ply wood shell with 8 Classic lugs and a P-83 throwoff. I think they were sold between 1960 and 1970 (roughly).

Ok thats kind of what I thought. The 6 luggers are pioneers then. Would I consider my standard snare that I put classic lugs on it a jazzfest? It has the same shell. I know thats probably a stupid question since its a total rewrap and probably not worth much. I have another standard snare I am thinking about wrapping in some black vinyl that is almost identical to my black Panther.

now back to the question Hollywood vs big beat.

Thanks for the response. Yes, the stands do look quite different.

I'm trying to identify a shell pack I bought. Is there anything notable about the bass drums spurs in either kit?