Mid-80s Ludwig Classic 6-ply Drum Set Rewrap - Part One

I'm excited to do this project! It's been planned for over a month and today finally kicks off a big drum set rewrap project. On the bench is a mid-80s Ludwig Classic 6-ply drum set. It's a 7-piece kit! So this isn't going to be a quick rewrap project. The drum set is configured in the following sizes (depth x diameter - the way it should be!):

• Bass drum - 14"x24"
• Floor tom - 16"x18"
• Floor tom - 16"x16"
• Rack tom - 10"x14"
• Rack tom - 9"x13"
• Rack tom - 8"x12"
• Rack tom - 7"x10"

​I love the fact that this mid-80s Ludwig drum set is in classic sizes and not the later 80s power tom configuration. Nothing against power toms! I have my share for sure.

Part one of the project blog provides a glimpse into the current color and condition. If you've seen my mid-80s Super-Sensitive blog, you'll know this kit came out of a church gymnasium locker room shower. The shower was being used as storage. I spent about an hour in the locker room inspecting everything to ensure the kit had good bones overall ... and it does. Even thought most of the bottom  heads were off, the bearing edges across all of the drums are in great condition.

One of the negative perspectives on Ludwig Classic 6-ply is its weight. This is especially true for those drum sets outfitted with Ludwig's modular mounting hardware, as this kit has. So yes, the drums will be on the heavier side, but the tone of these Ludwig Classics is outstanding.

The original wrap has yellowed significantly on five of the seven drums. Originally, I believe these were wrapped in arctic frost white. The two drums that still appeared to hold the color, the bass drum and 14" rack tom, were incredibly dirty and it was difficult to determine the original color. But because I'm doing a complete rewrap across the kit, it really doesn't matter. 

One thing to note, because I see this talked about a lot on vintage drum forums and Facebook Ludwig groups - the wrap on these mid-80s drums was not glued. These came out of the Monroe, NC factory. This is the third set of Ludwigs from the 80s that I've done and every single one has been taped at the seams with a a bit of contact cement to solidify the seam. So, I'm going to stay true to the original wrap process and use tape on the new wrap. Of course, the shells will all be properly prepped before they are rewrapped.

Take a peek at the incoming color and and beginning stages of wrap removal below. I'll do a series of posts on this as the Ludwig Classic rewrap project shapes up.