I own a 1972 Ludwig kit with a 26 kick 12, 13, 14in toms, 16, 18in floor toms and a 1982 hammered Bronze 6 1/2 snare..It still sounds better than every other kit I have ever played in the last 35yrs.
I had the Chicago factory make a three piece oversized kit that took two months to make and when I picked them up Buddy Rich was coming up and said "you're going to blow out people's eardrums with those", I told him "yeah I know!", this was in 1978.
Now I know why Ludwig drums are generally more expensive..the great craftsmanship of 'legacy' line drums like Rogers drums from the Ohio days, Gretsch, Slingerland, etc. looks to be carried on in the Monroe factory by employees who care for and are proud of their work. Fascinating video.
God, I've always loved Ludwig's. Could never afford them though. Even back during the peak of my professional drumming career, I had to settle for Yamaha rock tour customs. Awesome drums mind you, but never the Ludwig super classics I wanted at the time. Ludwigs are, and always have been, the most well made, greatest sounding drums, period. Why do you think their drums are in true fact the most recorded drums in history? Ah, yes. Perhaps someday.👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
According to what source? And you're entitled to your opinion about Ludwig. But to say that they are flat out the best ever is too over the top for me. If they were, no one else would bother making drums. Personally I've heard plenty of other manufacturers drums who sound every bit as good. To each their own.
Willy McCabe. Yes, you are correct. That was my opinion based on my personal preference for a certain tonality and timber. My specific reference was to the old "super classic" shell which they no longer make, to my knowledge anyway. In my younger days I had owned sets by Pearl, Tama, and Yamaha. I loved them all for their own unique, individual characteristics. But none of them had that certain something that I preferred but only heard in those Ludwigs of the time. All top companies make excellent drums, todays technologies make that a fact. I just sonically appreciate those Ludwig drums most. Just as I overwhelmingly prefer the tonality and sonic impact you only get from power size shells which sadly are no longer in fashion. That is all. Peace out and enjoy whatever drums you play/prefer. As long as you keep playing, thats all that matters. 👍
I played my friend’s pearl, Yamaha recording custom, gretsch and a Ludwig at his jam night. I liked the ludwig for it’s tone and pillow feel, so I got a secondhand classic maple and black beauty snare drum. Gorgeous.
2:22 That Ludwig logo on the saw was great to see. My '69 Hollywood kit was the first year for that Logo but still have the Keystone badge. The shell constuction was pretty crude back then as they were working 3 shifts to meet the Ringo demand. But, they really do sound good. I would love to watch them build my dream drums in person. Cheers!
@@hermansohier7643 Hi Herman. In the old days, the drum makers only had a front line kit and for beginners, they had student model snare drums. But for a cheaper drum set they had Japan or someone else build kits. Ludwig Standard was their entry kit. The Hollywood drums are top of the line drum kits. It was the name for their first 5 piece kit with 2 toms on the bass drum. 3 ply, Mahogany/poplar/maple. They do sound wonderful!
I had no idea just how flexible the individual plies are before they are formed into the shell. And I gotta say, having a woman who's been wrapping drums for 30 years say how particular she makes me feel really great about the Keystone X kit I just ordered. Miss Ann seems amazing. Thanks for the tour.
Miss Ann is def a great person. I worked there for a bit,She was def is a loyal and loves her job. Kudos to her...she always was so polite. It's a good place for drummers to go see and tour and fans of Ludwig. I didn't stay, place was awful to work for and paid very little. Many worked there because most would say they couldnt find another place to work at and they were comfortable. If you see most employees are past their prime so I understood. Hope things are better now then before but I doubt it. But Miss Ann def is awesome.. there was also another Ann on the assembly dept she was also great.. I always wonder who received the drums I assemble.. mines would have the initials. V.F or Indio.( theres always a card that has 2 initials that goes along with the kits)
Soy Eduardo desde Montevideo Uruguay toque durante mucho tiempo con grupos localas y algunos estranjero y por asuntos economicos me quede sin vateria si en ese pais alguna ayuda como para tener 1 bateria comoesa que me poedan ayudar les siy nuy agradesido gracia desde ya
It’s nice to see the wood shells made in house and they’re kicking up their game with the exotic veneers. All the metal shells are made in Taiwan I heard. Just go around back to the loading dock and look for the empty boxes. It’s funny how no one will answer the questions of where the metal shells are made for ANY drum company. It’s just this awkward quietness and a quick change of subject. Whoever is making these metal shells is probably making more profit than all drum companies combined. It’s only the high end botique builders that are making their own shells and it’s with the raw finishes since we all know you can’t do metal plating in most any 1st world country for a reasonable cost due to environmental concerns. Besides the Aviation and aerospace sectors, Snap -On, SK Tool, Stanley and a few other tools makers are the only ones doing it here.
I have a hunch the care and craftsmanship was not this good in Chicago, at least in later years. I bought a new Ludwig kit in late 70s early 80s. Had one drum that could barely fit a head onto and another that had tons of clearance. Pieces rattled loose. They did sound good tho.
I'm assuming this wasn't shot in order because he sanded that edge, then cut some off and then set the shell down on a pile of saw dust to cut the edge? That's not very cool.
You had a chance to visit the Ludwig Factory with High Def cameras and microphones, and you show us 6 minutes and 50 seconds? Come on, show us the gooods. You could've made it longer!
You had a chance to visit the Ludwig Factory with High Def cameras and microphones, and you show us 6 minutes and 50 seconds? Come on, show us the gooods. You could've made it longer!
