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Early 70′s Ludwig Standard Drum Set in Lemon Strata


drum setsHere’s a slideshow of a very nice Ludwig Standard line drum kit in uber-cool Lemon Strata wrap. The Standard drums were Ludwig’s attempt to make a moderately priced line of drums to compete with the then burgeoning influx of imported drums. The Standards were made in Chicago in the same factory as the other Ludwigs. Standards used different wraps, a new lug design, and lighter weight hardware designs to help hold the price down, but even so they were only about 20-30% cheaper than the top of the line sets. Most importantly, the Standards were made using the exact same 3 ply classic drum shell as Ludwig’s other drums. With the same shells, edges, and hoops as their more expensive brethren they have the same sound as the other Ludwigs, but because they are perceived to be of more humble origins they often tend to sell for much less than other Ludwigs of the same vintage. They can be a true bargain for anyone looking to get into vintage drums on a tight budget (although prices on these have been slowly climbing as more people get hip to this fact). The Standard line was discontinued around 1974, although the Standard lug design was later re-used on some of the Rocker series drums (but any similarity ends there). This particular set spent the last 30-some years sitting unplayed in an attic and is in great condition. By the way the “music” playing under the drum photos is by the legendary studio drummer Hal Blaine off his “Psychedelic Percussion” solo album. It seemed like a fitting soundtrack to drums from this era.

Duration : 0:4:8




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24 Responses to “ Early 70′s Ludwig Standard Drum Set in Lemon Strata ”

  1. Tmcfour Says:

    Great looking kit. …
    Great looking kit. Have any videos of you playing it?


  2. salvanovant1 Says:

    okok founded!!! …
    okok founded!!! thanks a lot


  3. KRO222 Says:

    I don’t recall the …
    I don’t recall the exact name…It’s off an album by Hal Blaine titled Psychedelic Percussion.


  4. salvanovant1 Says:

    name of song at 0: …
    name of song at 0:50 ?? thanks


  5. aukent Says:

    i got my ludwig …
    i got my ludwig standards today it was my upgraded kit from my crappy imported rogers. i got a 22″ Virgin Kick which im really pleased about because its super rare also 13″ rack and 16″ floor re wrapped and in prefect shape!


  6. midgetswithmullets Says:

    I have a 4 piece …
    I have a 4 piece blue, silver, black strata swirl kit (actually the one pictured in the magazine at 0:50) I bought for $900 5 years ago. 20in kick, 12in/14in toms plus the 5.5×14 snare.. so it’s the complete kit. I was wondering if anyone out there knows where I can get a quote to see how much it’s worth now. I heard it’s worth more w/ the snare.. i’ve been looking around online but can’t find a good quote. It’s in mint condition too. Any help’s appreciated. Thanks.


  7. KRO222 Says:

    Yes 3ply (mahogany/ …
    Yes 3ply (mahogany/poplar/mahogany) with re-rings and gray interior. I’m pretty sure that all Standards had these shells (same as the Ludwig classics of the era) . The later Rocker series didn;t have rings but did use this same lug design…they were a totally different line other than the lug design.


  8. Thiscatsgotclaws Says:

    I scored a set of …
    I scored a set of Standards 10 yrs ago wrapped in silver glass glitter for dirt cheap. the set was stored in a cellar for 20+ yrs and was in bad shape but, I cleaned them up and was very pleased w/ the sound.
    Question: Does your shells have the re-enforcement hoops and sprayed interior?


  9. chicagoish Says:

    I have a Lemon …
    I have a Lemon strata as well. It’s a 22/12/13/16 with matching Snare and a Sweet looking kit!


  10. StephenCollins Says:

    My first Drum kit ( …
    My first Drum kit (known as a ‘drum set’ in those days) was a Ludwig Standard line in Lemon Strata, bought in 1970 at Manny’s Music NYC. I’d kill to have it back…


  11. chrisismename Says:

    and it has no snare
    and it has no snare


  12. chrisismename Says:

    so im thinking …
    so im thinking about buying a this drum set but its in ruby strata finish its for $675 anyone think thats a good deal?


  13. KRO222 Says:

    Sounds like a …
    Sounds like a pretty good deal. The Ludwig Stainless drums were introduced in the mid 70′s and were available for about 6-7 years. Lots of guys are looking for them now and the larger sizes can be valuable due to the Bonham connection. $500 was probably a pretty low price if they are in nice shape.


  14. jayou812a Says:

    I have a stainless …
    I have a stainless steel ludwig kit and don’t know much about it.The kit is in my video man room.I bought it for 500 bucks and think its 70′s but beond i don’t know.Im a guitar player who thought it was a good deal.


  15. crlaw75 Says:

    Those drums look …
    Those drums look mint condition.


  16. crlaw75 Says:

    Ludwig Standard …
    Ludwig Standard drums are popping up more often.


  17. dunnigan66 Says:

    wow dude awsome kit …
    wow dude awsome kit i just traded a guy my Zildjian A 14 inch crash for a standard chrome snare to go with my pdp platinums hope it sounds good fixing to go get it now!!


  18. KRO222 Says:

    I got them at an …
    I got them at an estate auction in the northwest Chicago suburbs. They apparently had been stored in an attic for about 30 years. Lemon is my favorite Strata color too so I was determined not to leave that sale without them. I was lucky enough to win the bidding for a reasonable (but not bargain basement) price. They are in great shape and the 12/14/20 configuration (with matching snare and added on 13) is fairly rare as most opted for 13/16/22 sets or the 12/13/16/22 Five piece set.


  19. mark4drums Says:

    Where did you find …
    Where did you find that kit? I think that’s my favorite color in the strata finish. If you ever want to sell them, please let me know. They look like they are bran new.


  20. KRO222 Says:

    Sorry I don’t (I …
    Sorry I don’t (I didn’t want to inflict that upon the world) but there are plenty of videos on youtube of people playing vintage Ludwigs, including some standards, and these would sound more or less the same.


  21. mark4drums Says:

    Do you have any …
    Do you have any videos of you actually playing this kit?


  22. KRO222 Says:

    Thanks! and I’ll …
    Thanks! and I’ll let you know if I see any Lemons I don’t need (anything besides a 16″).


  23. tjsilva57 Says:

    We’ll be on the …
    We’ll be on the look-out for you while we are on our journey and let you know if we find a 16″ Floor Tom. Thank you!


  24. KRO222 Says:

    I just got these …
    I just got these in September after looking for a lemon strata set for quite some time so I’ll be keeping them for now. In fact I’m hoping to find a lemon 16″ to add to these myself. Sorry.