Mid-80s Ludwig Classic 6-ply Drum Set Restoration/Rewrap - Part Two, Completion

Part one of this project is chronicled here for reference. Separately, the 688-stamped Ludwig Super-Sensitive snare drum that came with this Ludwig Classic kit is chronicled here. The SS snare is now sold and in a happy home on the left coast in California, far from its right coast restoration. 

So let's recap briefly: the drum set came out of a church locker room shower in Charleston. The locker room shower was being used as storage. Needless to say, it was a little gnarly and in need of a lot of love. The original wrap, I believe, was Arctic Frost. However, as I got into the restoration, I believe the full 7-piece kit was pulled together under two possible scenarios:

1. The 14 tom and the 24" bass drum were from a different drum set and paired up with the 10, 12, 13, 16 and 18" toms; or
2. The full drum set was originally sold together and paired the 14 and 24" in Arctic Frost with the 10, 12, 13, 16 and 18" in White Cortex.

As I got into the wrap removal, it was clear the 14 and 24" drum wraps were a superior wrap. It was noticeably thicker than the other toms' wrap and it retained its original "whiteness." The other toms had weathered and yellowed badly, very badly, from their original color. It was for this reason that I decided to do a full kit rewrap on all 7 pieces.

A few notes of commentary on the wrap and, in general, some observations about the Ludwig Classic 6-ply drums from the mid-80s:

• I was pleasantly surprised (again) that these drums were taped at the seam with some adhesive, as well. The wrap was not fully glued to the shell, like '60s/'70s vintage Ludwigs. No scarf joint either, obviously. Honestly, rewrapping a drum that has had its original wrap fully glued to the shell is an absolute "love what you do" process. This is the third Ludwig Classic drum set I've done where the original wrap was taped. 
• The Ludwig Classic shells are constructed with a Maple/Poplar/Maple/Poplar/Poplar/Maple 6-ply laminate. The shells are not a "Classic Maple" as Ludwig later branded the term, but the shells are considered maple with interior, mid-shell, and outer shell plies of maple. The grain of the inner maple ply runs horizontal around the inner circumference of the shell, whereas MIJ shells from the period have a vertical grain.
• The Ludwig Classic 6-ply shells are a bit heavy. And when paired with the period Ludwig Modular hardware and large Classic lugs, the drums are hefty.
• The wrap I chose for these is high-quality Delmar blue sparkle. It has the thickness one desires in high-end drum wrap and has a gorgeous depth to its color and sparkle. 
• As is customary for large drums, the 18" floor tom and the 24" bass drum are a two-piece rewrap. This matches the original configuration from the Ludwig factory. All other drums are a single piece of Delmar wrap.

This 7-piece Ludwig Classic drum set is now an absolutely stunning kit with amazing tone, clarity and punch. It has all of the original Ludwig Classic hardware, original Modular mounts, original badges, rims, tension rods etc. And while it came out of a church gym locker room shower (aka storage), you'd never know it today. This is a classic, on the verge of vintage, collector's grade kit. It's also available for purchase. Please email me for more details. I hope you enjoy more before and after photos in the gallery below (about 55 photos in total).