Here's the thing - Ludwig used a whole bunch of different shell layups without regard to decade or even whether the pieces of a kit matched.

In the early 60's, it wasn't uncommon to find old bare mahogany WFL shells, trans-badge era unfinished maple, and pre-serial-to-'67 white interiors, in any combination imaginable on a kit. '67 is when they started to be a little more standardized, with the clear interior finish, and the edges began to be more sharply cut as they moved into the early 70's. In 1976 (ish) Ludwig began to move away from the reinforcing rings to a thick smooth shell, which are very different drums.

The reason for all this is: If your kits are 1968, and the one you're looking at is 1974, those are pretty similar drums and can be compared apples to apples. But if you've got a mahogany-and-huge-rering trans-badge kit and you're eyeing up a 1978 power-tom beast, those are completely different animals.

So, what you got now, and what you got your eyes on?

There's a guy that is trying to sell at late 1970s Ludwig kit with 14x24 bass, 8x12, 9x13, and 16x16 toms.

He indicates that these are late 70s "thicker shells" with blue/olive badges, and apparently have been in a closet for 21 years after purchasing from a high school. From the pics, they aren't in perfect shape, but pretty good and could use a bit of cleaning and touching up....it's in a finish that I love too, and the sizes are right on for what I'm looking for...he's asking 1499 plus shipping.

What I have now are the 1960s 3 ply shells...one kit with 22, 13, 16 and one with 22, 12, 13, 16 (the first is BOP and the second is Champagne Sparkle)...each with standard size depths.

Unless they are in a rare finish, $1499 is a bit high for late '70's Ludwigs, IMO.

Okay, good call then...I'm not really sure what to expect for prices on these.

Does anyone feel that early 70s would be better than late 70s era? I'm partly influenced by Bonham by wanting the large bass drum for this next kit, but 24" is plenty...26" too much.

I think the 3 ply shells is the sound that I want...with a 24" kick. I'm going to hold out until I find that instead...

The price isn't right on this one, but don't dismiss late 70's Ludwig drums so quickly. The 6-ply shells that Ludwig used during this period are some of the best sounding, most resonant drums you can buy/play. If this is a 6-ply kit and you can get the price down, it can be a truly great sounding set of drums. Ask any drummer who owns Luddy 6-ply's.

John

Mainly, I'd still want that warm sound...so the 6 ply will still sound good?

Ditto !!!

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