[lumpy]

samccart,
Those B/O badged stands would be the old Atlas stands. Sometimes they are called Hercules. Guess the fine folks at Ludwig were all mythology majors back in the 70's.

Those are pretty good stands. They are not as cosmetically attractive as some newer stands, and they may not be as smooth operating, but they are tough and hold up very well. A lot of collectors buy them up on eBay to keep their vintage Luddies authentic. Of coarse anytime collectors get involved the price goes up, which is another reason I use new hardware. I always liked the "chair leg" feet on the bottom of the tripods; no fear of those things falling off like the rubber feet of today.

I had a set of Ludwig timbales mounted on Atlas stands.

The red label stands are 90's vintage or newer, probably made in China like every drum companies' stands are these days. Should be the same design as the Ludwig 600 or 700 series hardware.

All this talk has got me thinking about my old Ludwig Standards. The guy I sold them to won't sell them back, even though he has never used them and I offered twice the price he paid for them. Foiled again!

The Ludwig Club Date (60's entry level), Standard and Combo (70's entry level) and Rocker (80's entry level)series have their own dedicated little quirky cults these days. Kinda like the Chevy Corvair guys.

The unique thing about the American drum companies, up until the 80's, always cut costs on their entry level drums by doing something to make the hardware cheaper. The shells were always the same as their higher priced brethren.

Later on, after such revered American drum makers like Slingerland and Rogers (and almost Gretsch) went under did they smart up to contracting their entry level drums overseas. Almost all these drums are made in the same factory; just different badges and (slightly) different hardware. That's why a set of Pearl Exports is going to sound the same as a set of Ludwig Accents outta the box.

Not to mention that the new hardware is made different and is not very receptive to the Do-It-Yourself guys (like you and me). I have drilled and re-drilled holes in my old Modular tom holders.

I could go on and on. As you can tell I prefer vintage American drums. They are maintenance intensive, and a bitch to tune, but well worth the investment. I could buy a set of new maple Yamahas and be totally content, not to mention more rested. But, if you are walking down the street and a red 2003 Mustang GT drives by closely followed by a red 1966 Mustang GT, which car is gonna make you take notice?

It's the same way with vintage drums.

Thanks for holding onto those Rockers!

Lump