Looks nice. Looks like you have to use all large lugs even for the 12?

There is only one size Standard lug. When the shell is drilled for it, you gotta go with that hole pattern. The 12 was not a drum that came with this kit. It was more of an afterthought, but it worked.

Are classic lugs better than standard lugs? Do they do anything special more so than the standard lugs?

Yes. Of course. Genuine Ludwig Classic Lugs are built to actually resonate harmonically with Ludwigs brilliantly designed three ply layup. Once attached, the drums open up like never before. They deepen the overall tone and the woodiness is obviously enhanced. They are amazing. That's why they go for so much on the bay.

... and now, the real response.

The Classic lug is just a better built lug. The Standard lugs have been known to strip out fairly easily. They are also not as visually recognizable. The same goes for the floor tom leg / cymbal mounts and the bass tom tree. These items are just hurkier and flat out work. That's really all there is to this. People want the Ludwig drums to look like Ludwig drums ... hardware and all.

You flatter me with an apology lol. I had a blast converting my standards to classics. The end result was truley exhilariting! I Love my new kit !!!

You had me going there for a second, mcjnic. lol!

As I understand it, the Standards smooth, rounded design was much less labor-intensive to polish out than were the Classic lugs which were quite labor-intensive to polish. The functionality was basically the same -as it is with 99% of vintage die-cast style lugs. Lugs are the "hood ornaments" of a drum. :)

And there were several early Standard sets that came from the factory with Classic lugs. I think this was due to the fact that the regular Standard lugs hadn't come into full production as of that time, so they just used the Classics in the meantime.

I never had anything against the look of Standard lugs, either. To me, they are as distinctive as any other lug design.

Here's a pic of a standard snare lug, that literally tore apart. I have never seen a classic lug do this.

If your planning on rewrapping the drum you can easily plug and redrill holes for the small classic lugs. If the interior is the granitone then you can easily cover the hole repairs on the interior of the shell with Plasti-Kote stone paint. It matches the granitone acoustical coating almost excatly.