Hi. The first good set of drums I ever played in my life was my friend's ruby strata 5-piece. I had been playing a Tempro set and then when I got to play the real thing, I was blown away.

The Standards were Ludwig's answer to compete with the lower priced import drums. The lugs used on the Standards were also used again on the later Rocker series of drums. As you know from looking at them, they were round-ish and easier to polish -less time -less labor-intensive and yet completely functional.

The shells, edge profiles, rims, throwoffs, etc. were exactly the same as anything on the Classic line. The tom mounts were slightly different, the lugs and the finishes were the unique aspects that separated the Standards from the Classics.

I suspect that the reason they painted the Standard shells was that they might have been shells that had a blemish (like knot or something) on the interior-ply and they used the paint to cover up the imperfections...that's my guess, anyway.

The hi-hat pedal and bass drum pedal were reeeeeeaally simple mechanisms and I don't think they held up very well over time...but I thought they had a cool look and I especially liked the Standard cymbal stands.

I still see a few Standard kits and/or parts come up on Ebay. They aren't "sleepers" anymore, though! They are commanding top-dollar if they are in good shape -especially a Strata finish.

As far as stamnped dates in the drums... I have drums that have them (white-painted interior Classic) and I have them where they aren't stamped (clear-maple interior Classic).

I know that some Standards were stamped, too. People used to wipe those stamps off sometimes, though.

Thanks for the comments O-Lugs.

I absolutely love the sound of my Ludwig Standards.

What would be the best way to remove paint from the strata wraps on the tom toms on my Ludwig Standard ?

Do you know if Ludwig stamped the instead of the Vistalites ? I know people would sometimes clean the inside of the drums on the Vistalites and wipe off the stamps- by accident usually. Did Ludwig stamp the inside of the Vistalite line of drums ? Have you ever seen or heard of a stamped Vistalite drum ?

I did just recently buy another blue Vistalite outfit - 24" bd, 12 and 13" tts, 16" and 18" fts - guy bought a Supra phonic snare with the outfit(he kept the snare). This set is from Jan or Feb of 1973 - right after those came out. He knows this for sure, being the original owner. He came off a tour from Italy and his drums never arrived here in the USA. So, he went to the local music store, saw em and fell in love with them. No cracks anywhere - just minor scratches and scuffs here and there.

I don't really know that much about Vistalites at all.

love my ludwig standard kit. the manufacture date is stamped inside the shell on mine.

Which drum in your Ludwig Standard outfit had the stamp in it ? and where was the stamp ?

Neither of my sets have a date stamp inside. :o(

band2

oh interesting. all four (three toms, bass) have the stamp on the inside of the shell. they give the exact date in 1969.

I'm new here, but I just purchased my first vintage kit last week. I got a Ruby Strata Ludwig Standard off ebay with a buy it now for $400 bucks. I've been trying to save money to get a 60s Slingerland, but I felt like $400 for a standard would be too good of a deal to pass up.

I only just recently started exploring and researching vintage drums. I really didn't know much about Standards before I hit the buy it now. Reading this post has made me feel a lot better about my decision.

Really looking forward to frequenting this board more. I'm becoming more and more obsessed with learning about vintage drums/amps/guitars. I'll post some pictures of the new drums once I get them in the mail and clean 'em up.

I have never seen it, and they were usually done with a old pad and dabber type applicator and it wouldnt adhear to the acrilic if they ever used the same method. i beleave the only dating methods would be useing the blu/olv badge to the best of its use. and then look for things such as "transmounts", limited production finishs, check out www.vistalitedrums.com or www.vistalites.com both sites have been very helpful in restoring the two vista kits i have done, ( 8pc black combo kit and a 5 pc blue/olive smoke kit

Someone mentioned that the interiors were painted differently, but right around the time that the Standards were introduced (late 60s) the Classics started getting the "granitone" interior paint... so really the only difference in the drums are the lugs and tom mount on the bass drum. As well as the stands/pedals.

I've spent some time researching this topic and I believe I've figured something out. Most likely, you already are aware of this but it was an epiphany to me. So, bear with me.

It appears that Strata finishes vary so much because of the preparation and care taken on that 'batch' of wrap. When they didn't feel like spending time (for whatever reason) the colors did not get blended well and consequently the Strata finish appears to be more of a thin striped affair with very little of the third color (name derivation color).

The first picture demonstrates this.

When they spent time and care, the colors were blended well and a much much thicker banding appeared. The third color is very apparent.

The second picture demonstrates this.

Another idea is that it could be from WHERE they cut this. Maybe there were areas of the wrap batch that were thinner and areas that were thicker (within the same batch). Maybe only the middle section guaranteed the best wrap pattern blending.

These are just simple ideas of mine. If someone has the actual answers, I would love for you to post them.

Thanks.