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"Fog of Time" - My Vintage Experience

Posts: 110 Threads: 18

I was a product of the 70's and 80's (I am 43 and was born in 1970). I grew up loving that Ludwig sound. I decided last year that I would finally own the kit that I always wanted but could never afford back in the early 80's - 3 ply maple Ludwigs. I found an early 1976 set in Sky Blue Pearl w/6,8,10,12,13,14,16, and 18. I converted the 6-12 to dual head since they were concerts and already had the bearing edges cut. I have enjoyed playing these drums but I think the "fog of time" took it's toll. I love the kit and just thought they were the best sounding drum out there. Nothing could top those Luddies in my mind, especially not new import kits. I recently went into a Guitar Center and test drove a Chinese manufactured Mapex Saturn kit. My goodness, those drums sounded amazing. I held a bias against anything made in China with regards to quality and sound. I still cannot get over how good those drums sounded. I came home and played my Ludwigs and felt like a deflated balloon. Those Saturns were just that good. Granted, they are considered a pro line but still...it wasnt a made in the USA classic

I guess I am just curious if anyone else has let nostalgia influence their love of vintage drums. Without a doubt, I love those Ludwigs. However, I must be honest with myself as to why I love them. I know the round bearing edges, the imperfections, etc give them that classic Ludwig sound. I guess I just realized that "classic" sound isn't as amazing as I once thought it was. I love them because they are a memory. A tangible asset of a time gone by that is forever cherished.

Just an honest observation about my vintage quest. Does anyone share my feelings or am I in the "tar and feathered" line?

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 816 Threads: 72

I recently bought a Sonor Safari 12, 14, 16x16 BD, w/ 5x14 snare because I needed a small, but cheap, kit for some lower volume small venue gigs with another band I've joined.

These things sound truly good once you change out the batter heads, and I get quite a few compliments on them. The teeny weeny bass drum is unbelievable! And, surprisingly to me, they can get loud, too. I've also started using them with the R&B group I play with. Made in China.

Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 253 Threads: 43

I love and own 12 vintage kits.10 Ludwig,one Rogers and a Gretsch.They are all fantastic looking and sounding.Nothing will ever be like them.I do not play ANY of them for just that reason.It is my feeling that my part in their history is to preserve them.I play a Ludwig Legacy Classic,three ply with rounded bearing edges and ,sometimes a DW collectors series.Just my thought and philosophy.

Ludwig collection of sets and pioneer snare drums.
Example of Rogers,Slingerland,Gretsch,Premier and Ajax sets.
Various '60's and '70's US,English and Japanese snare drums.
HELP,NEED MORE SPACE!
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 966 Threads: 213

The quality of nearly any current Chinese made kit will be quite high versus most stencil kits back in the day. Also, the acoustics in your practice space are very different from GC, which makes for a tough comparison. My basement practice space is a small room with a hard tile floor and low drywall ceiling. All my kits sound better somewhere else!

jim

...
'68 Ludwig Ruby Red Strata
'68 Ludwig Mod Orange
'58 Gretsch Starlight Sparkle
'69 Ludwig Clubdate BDP
'60s Ludwig Clubdate Black Lacquer / Nickel
'67 Trixon Speedfire Red
COB Ludwig Supra
Many projects
Bunch o snares
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 731 Threads: 59

Does anyone share my feelings or am I in the "tar and feathered" line?

Get Him!!!! :eek:

[IMG]http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/O8AMA/angry_mob2.gif[/IMG]

www.macdrums.com
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 2809 Threads: 32

I own several vintage kits. Three ply Rogers keller from 64, two five ply 66 Cleveland/Dayton mixed tag transition kits, two big R five ply, and three 8ply all maple Big R. Some I like better than others, some are better than others. Some I like for different reasons. They are a diverse representation of sound from the same company. I owned an Ayotte Custom 1995 set for ten years. They were extremely high quality drums, the level of finish was far and above the best of my Rogers. The shells... very similar to 60s-70s Rogers, thin maple shells. The sound was more vintage than modern, perhaps a little sharper, slightly more resonant, but very similar with similar heads. The one thing I never liked about the Ayotte was the 12 inch tom was 10 inches deep. I don't know what they were thinking on that, but it just did not belong. It was too resonant, far more sustain than needed, and made tuning a bit of work. In a mix of music it all balanced out, and I gigged that kit a LOT while I owned it. I did not choose to gig the Ayotte because it sounded better, or preferred playing them over the Rogers. Mostly, I chose them over the Rogers because I was worried about the venue would not be as friendly to the Rogers or the travel time in the truck was more than my comfort level allowed.

I firmly believe classic luan shell sizes do not belong in a high quality drum.

I still have the Rogers.

Rogers Drums Big R era 1975-1984 Dating Guide.
http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=24048
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
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