Some more pics.

The rivets along the seam of the wraps dates these to the early 80's. The large keystone badge shown on the snare drum narrows that down to approx 1984 (Ludwig's last year in Chicago). Do the rest of the drums have that same badge or do they have the blue & Olive parallelogram shaped badge?

The shells would be most likely be a 6 ply maple/poplar mix although Ludwig did offer 4 ply shells during that time as well.

Silver sparkle is a great color and the bigger sizes are a plus to a lot of guys. The rivets are a bit of a turn off for many but the wrap appears secure rather than pulling through the rivets (the rivets came about in around 1980 as a stopgap solution to problems Ludwig was having with their wraps shrinking and pulling apart at the seams, they lasted for a few years before Ludwig apparently came up with a better solution).

As far as value I'm not sure but I'm sure others who do more buying and selling can chime in with helpful advice. More pictures would help, perhaps some of the whole set put together. Sets that are in their original configuration tend to bring more than sets that have been modified by their owners. Pictures documenting original condition would also help, or info on any mods that have been made.

Wow, that was quick. Thanks a lot K.O.

The rest of the kit has the blue and olive badges, just the snare differs. The blue and olive ones also all have serial numbers stamped along the bottom.

I had wondered about the rivets, almost wondering if it had been an aftermarket job, but glad it's original. The rivets are all pretty perfect, there are none pulling through or even close to it. The only evidence of shrinkage is a 1-2mm brown line where they overlap, I'd presumed it was maybe some kind of adhesive that was now showing as the drum or wrap had moved over time.

I think it's in its original configuration, but I'm pretty ignorant as to what its original configuration would have been! It's a Premier bass pedal that's with it, if that's included. And a Premier snare stand. But I guess that's a separate thing altogether.

The bass drum has 4 curved legs that slide into the carcass.

I'll try to get a photo of the full kit, it's at my parent's house which is pretty tight for space, might have to have an outdoor photoshoot if we ever get a dry day here again!

Hi!

Rivets were the "clever" solution from Ludwig to avoid certain chemicals (very flammables) of wrap adhesives (a.k.a. GLUE) in order to "obey the law" of Chicago Fire Dept. or something like that.....Mind BlowiMind Blowi

A few months later, they moved facilities to Monroe.

p.s.: I'm just quoting from Ludwig's R.Cook Book!!!

The value on these drums are not as high as the sixties-early 70's Ludwig kits. I would wager a guess of approximately $700-$1000 depending upon condition. The three ply with re-enforcement ring shells bring a little more money. They only kits of this time frame that I have seen that command some $$$ are the thermogloss kits (natural finishes), vistalite and stainless steel drums. I hope this helps.

Ha! Thanks Heraldo. Nice to know they won't spontaneously combust on me. Although that wouldn't explain the brown colouring under the seam where it's shrunk slightly. Looks like glue to me!

Thanks Verminator,

I'm in the UK so I'm guessing £500-800 here then? It is in very good condition. When I took them out to have a look my heart was getting involved again! But it makes sense to pass them on to be played.

Are the hard cases worth anything? They're Premier ones. Similar age I imagine.

I purchased a rivet version 16" sky blue pearl Ludwig floor tom on the bay for only $105 a few years ago. Rivets were one of Ludwig's bad ideas.

It is glue, that brown line is pretty common along the seams, The wrap shrinks a bit and pulls back exposing part of the overlap.

These might be worth a bit more if they are in the UK as folks there are much less likely to stumble onto something similar at a garage sale or auction.

Cases don't have a lot of value by themselves but they definitely sweeten the package when included with a kit.