Greetings Vintage Drum Friends!
For this episode of Vintage Happiness I’m really happy to say another kit is off the bucket list. The Latest Addition to the collection: 1962 Pre Serial Ludwig Combo/Club Date in Blue/Silver Duco that is SUPER CLEAN!! This is a kit I've been hunting a very long time for. Many hours searching on the Internet, going to look at kits, call and emails and I got to the point where I wondered if I would find one with a finish not ruined by the hands of time. Then it happened! Finally a kit has come along that has so few minimal issues with this I had to pull the trigger. While it's not completely "perfect" it's as nice as it's going get with this type of finish.
This set is without a doubt the cleanest and nicest "duco" kit I've ever seen. We all know that the hands of time are not kind to these 2 tone paint finishes and every set I've encountered has had numerous paint chipping, flaking, spider webbing etc. Basically killing the appearance. I was truly in awe. So a BIG THANK YOU to Chris Hawthorne at Hawthorne Drum Shop out of Pittsburgh PA for answering my million questions and sending ALL those pics! This was one less kit that went to the Chicago show this year. Check out his website at: www.hawthornedrumshop.com
This set consists of a 14x22 bass drum dated June 20 1962, a 9x13 tom dated June 18 1962, and a 14x14 floor tom that is a perfect match and possibly came with kit as with an early serial number of 41015 puts it at about 1963/64. The set was most likely sold this was as the combo outfit did not include a floor tom and this one is a perfect match. The bass drum interior has the mahogany finish while the floor tom & tom interiors are resacote white and pristine with red felt mufflers.
The only real paint flaking on these drums is very minor and is also below the drumhead line. There are just a few very small spots on the tom and a small area on backside of floor tom. Other than that, this real deal duco kit is as nice as it's going to get for me. All the hardware is nickel and has the most beautiful patina to it now. All the heads are original on the drums. The 6 lug snare drum is dated Nov 17 1956 and was mine previously before the rest of the kit & matches perfectly and sounded fantastic!
How does it sound? I played the kit as is all original about a week after it arrived and these drums just blew my mind. I had to change out the original calf heads on the snare to vintage Ambassadors and this snare drums first gig time ever did not disappoint and the drums really sang with the old heads on.Truly amazing as I really laid into them! It just goes to show that treasures are still out there. You have to FIND them and the hunt is a BIG part of the fun! And sometimes that can take years so never give up on looking for that vintage drum treasure you seek!
Wishing you all a Happy Summer 2019!
Until next time, PLAY THOSE DRUMS