I have a Dec, 1959 date stamped trans badge set with a no serial # July 1960 floor tom. The set was purchased in fall of 1960. Mixed badge sets are common around transition periods I think.

I have a Dec, 1959 date stamped trans badge set with a no serial # keystone badge, July 1960 date stamped floor tom. The set was purchased in fall of 1960. Mixed badge sets are common around transition periods I think.

Sounds like you have a real mixed bag of tricks there. Sounds to me like the kit was very very late transition period given the mixed badges and mixed interior shell finishes. That said, it is very likely that it came this way. Personally, I kind of like these anomaly kits. I wouldn't worry about the missing hardware aside from the cost of getting the pieces you need - they're out there, they just aren't free. The good news about blue sparkle is that it usually held up pretty well, so getting some new wrap to complete the inlays is easy and shouldmatch up fairly well. The good news is that the inlays don't butt right up against the existing wrap, so you shouldn't notice much difference at all. The fact that the matching snare is with it is a huge plus! The fact that it has the extra holes, extra rail mount and missing bits should play in your favour. Transition badge kits were really the rage a few years back, but the market has softened a fir bit. It may be a good opportunity to grab a great kit at a great price. What's he asking for it?

Thanks for the help on this kit. Nice to know that this kit is matched. The fellow is asking about $1000 for it. He thinks that is a fair price based on ebay listings which are often super inflated. I was thinking more around $600 as the cost of the needed hardware & inlay will be a bit. The throwoff is also missing the handle which I will have to track down. He also has a bunch of vintage Zildjian cymbals which he is selling seperately. I am still on the fence as to whether I would keep the kit or flip it once it is fully restored. At $1000 there would be no wiggle room if I wanted to sell it.

Deano

$1000. is a low price for that kit. Fully restored it could command $1200 to $1400. easy. If you have to pay $1000. to get it, it's not only worth the investment, if you flip it in the future, you'll get all of your money back plus some.

Go for it. Just between me and you, $600 is an insulting low-ball offer for -that- set of drums. Don't be surprised if the seller blows it off. Not saying you shouldn't try, just be prepared to pay more than maybe you'd like. Again, for a 59' transition badge kit it's well-worth the guys asking price. Just finding one of these kits in that good a condition is a score. They are rare, not many of them around.

John

If anyone runs across a transition badge 1959 Blue Sparkle kit in 22-13 with a 16 Slingerland floor tom, let me know! That's my old kit that I traded back in 1976. I mounted more-modern curved spurs on the bass drum. I'd love to get it back!

Thanks for the price reality check John. I guess sometimes my stinginess can get the better of me. I have not seen the kit in person yet but, man it looks good in the pics. Did these kits ever come with a double rail setup or would that be an add on later? Just wondering as I know it would affect the price. Maybe I can get him to throw in some cymbals to sweeten the pot. I know these trans badge kits are rare so I don't want to let this one slip away. I read somewhere that this era of drums sounds pretty sweet.

Deano

It looks like both rails were added. Something doesn't look right about them. If they were factory installed, shouldn't they have been mounted further toward the center of the bass away from the lugs? Maybe a Luddy expert can verify.

I have a '58 Luddy kit with only 1 factory-drilled rail and it is in the same position as this one. They must have moved the position some time after this when they went to the rails with 4 holes.