Thanks to each of you for your input. I looked online at the later imported kits and the hardware matches this set. Good tip on the Ludwig USA badges vs badges that just have Ludwig. I told the seller that I liked his kit but that my input and research indicated that it was not an 80s Rocker set as advertised. And then I pulled the trigger on a 7 pc black kit that had all of the right parts and the granitone interiors. More $ than I was hoping to spend and not local so hopefully it will show up intact and look good with a bit of cleaning. Pic from seller attached. Thanks again for the help! I hope I can get them to look as good as your set does JC and I agree, collectibility is probably just a matter of time since they are Ludwig produced and assembled drums. Regardless, they are cool to me and represent my dream kit from when I started to play in the 80s.

pZ,,,,,,

Glad to hear you found the right set of drums. The extra money is worth it to have a USA made set. Please post a photo when you get her all set up.

Jeff C

clubdate, I went ahead and bought at different kit that I'm pretty certain is legit: B/W badges with rounded corners, Ludwig USA and serial numbers. Hardware is as expected, port locations as expected, granitone interiors. In answer to the question you asked jc, mine do have rims stamped Taiwan and concave tension rods too. Would you say that these are Rocker IIs? How did the Rockers differ? Thanks, Chris

Thanks Jeff, I think so too. Set has been delivered and now begins the cleaning, misc part replacement, and search for the right heads. I'd like to keep the 80s authenticity going with silver dots. I'll get a photo up as it comes together.

Chris

Check out the rockers section on the vintage drum guide,

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_rockers.html

It was still USA but some import parts the rockers I've seen have been all small classic lugs on wrapped shells with clear interiors.

So I think it was like this originally in '86

Classics/super classics - 6ply classic/ 4ply super classic, clear interior, lacquer or wrap with large classic or mach style lugs

Rockers- 4ply super classic shells, clear interiors, wrap Finnish, with small classic lugs in 86/standard lugs by '88 black wood bass hoops.

Rocker II- 4ply super classic shell, granitone interiors, wrap Finnish, standard lugs, metal bass hoops with inlay.

Both rocker and rocker II's had 8 lug bass drums.

I have also seen black and white badge, small classic lugged drums with curved spurs , like the black one in the 86 catalog it had chrome bd hoops and granitone interiors, and the snare was matching not cow.

My rocker II is on page two of the 86 flyer, L2047 but I don't have the original 5x14, I found a 6.5 on eBay for like $30.

You can see it here

http://youtu.be/jCfC4YGXXJY