When breaking a kit down I've found it's easier to fold in spurs than to deal with the curved spurs. When I break down my early 70's set I stick some duct tape over the curved spur leg tips so they don't pierce anything. I leave them on the drum, pushed in, but the tips still stick out a bit. When removing legs, something gets lost sooner or later.

If it were me in your shoes I'd get three early 60's orphan drums for your set. Maybe even use them one headed so you can telescope your kit for storage? And when you ding 'em up, they're mis-matched orphan drums, so no big deal? Plus, most early 60's drums seem to be better made and better sounding than early 70's drums, in my experience, one headed or two.

Singapore sounds cool, have fun.

> I am looking for a 22/13/16 set up,

You should be thinking more like a 60's Club Date kit: 12", 14", 20". BunE's idea to leave the bottom heads off for packing (nested storage) in a small space is an excellent one. Look into some Club Dates, it'll be a better fit in a place where space is a consideration.

Safe journey...

John

Singapore cool! Lots of drum studios there. Maybe play their stuff for a couple years and the leave the vintage kit safe at home.... I'm just say'in.

D' Drummer

Lots of drum studios? Can you explain? I haven't heard anything about drum studios there at all.

John,

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I should clarify a bit. The issue isn't that the practice space is small or where I have to store the kit is small, it's the fact that I can't keep a kit set up, so I have to set it up every time. I hear what you are saying regarding a nesting kit and how that would mean easier for transporting the kit, but I am thinking I will keep the kit in cases regardless of the situation.

With the humidity in Singapore, I'd be very concerned about the drums there. I too would suggest a mismatched set because an expensive vintage set might very well get damaged. My older brother had a very expensive Gibson guitar in Singapore and it warped so bad from the humid conditions that it was basically destroyed.

Back to your original question, I prefer the sound of Ludwig '60s drums over '70s. As for spurs, I have a '65 Classic with 4 spurs that are straight and slide in and out of the bass drum. It's a quick job to set it up and break it down.

Good luck in Singapore. Don't get yourself caned!

Stephen

You know, I have always loved vintage Ludwig kits. Now I have had early 60's kits as well as late 60's-70' kits. I have actually come to love the thermo-gloss era of the 3-ply Ludwigs myself. I tend to tune my kits (13/16/22) to a very low tone. Not saying you can't get that from the white interiors, but I have had much more luck of getting my personal drum tones from the maple/poplar/maple than the maple/poplar/mahogany. Now if my jazz/funk kit that stays in my basement is white interior. Much better IMO for the higher tones that you hear from jazz/etc.

Also, I tour 100ish shows a year on a 3-ply 70's black panther kit. The 70's hardware is WAY easier to tear down and set up. What I mean by that is that the FT leg brackets have been used about 10 years less, the spurs are easier and sturdier, and the bearing edges are usually in better condition.

Now, this is all just my 2 cents. Some guys buy Ford trucks and they run forever, and the next guy has had 3 and they have been the worst trucks ever. I feel it can just be one of those things!

-Beau

Thanks for your insights, they are much appreciated.