Ludwig Legacy kits

[drumflyer]

So, I'm thinking of plunging into the Ludwig family in a big way. Looking at a legacy classic or legacy mahogany purchase. Sizes would be 13,16,22. What are the really big differences between these two branches of the legacy series? And I mean sound wise. I know the layups are different but as far as sound goes I've listened to tons of videos, it's so hard to tell a real big difference between the two. I'd like to do a side by side sound check but it's hard to find anyone with both types in stock. Looking for some input from the Luddie Lovers here! Thanks.

 

[wflkurt]

I don't own either series but they are modeled after the vintage sets which I have had plenty of over the years. I think that the maple might be a little brighter sounding than the mahogany. This is merely a guess but I know that when Ludwig switched to an all maple inner play in 1968 the sound was a little brighter. I can't say that for sure though as heads, tuning and a room will affect the sound greatly. Back in the 50's and early 60's when they still had the mahogany interiors, drummers were not competing with marshall stacks to be heard. It's honestly kind of hard for me to say what they used in the 60's though as they cranked out tons of drums, painted the insides white(until early 1968) and probably used whatever wood was closest to the machines that made the shells! I'm sure someone with a little more techical knowledge on the specifics of maple VS mahogany would be better qualifies to answer this question.

 

[RickP]

I have owned two Legacy Classic kits and got to check out the Mahogany Classic kit at Drum Center of Portsmouth. You really can't go wrong with either model. The Mahogany Classic had more of that classic 60's Ludwig thump IMHO. More bottom end, a tad fatter and thumpier than the Legacy Classic. I found the Legacy a classic to have more cut and resonance than the Mahogny Classic. The difference sonically between the two is not huge but it is definitely noticeable.

The Mahogany Classic doesn't have the same amount of finish options as the Legacy Classic. There are not as many wrap finishes available and you cannot get exotic veneers like Birdseye Maple and Waterfall Bubinga etc like you can on the Legacy Classics.

If you want that thuddy, fat low pitched sound get the Mahogany Classics.
If you want more volume, resonance but still retaining fatness and bottom end with more finish options get the Legacy Classics.

 

[Bun Carlos]

I have owned two Legacy Classic kits and got to check out the Mahogany Classic kit at Drum Center of Portsmouth. You really can't go wrong with either model. The Mahogany Classic had more of that classic 60's Ludwig thump IMHO. More bottom end, a tad fatter and thumpier than the Legacy Classic. I found the Legacy a classic to have more cut and resonance than the Mahogny Classic. The difference sonically between the two is not huge but it is definitely noticeable.

The Mahogany Classic doesn't have the same amount of finish options as the Legacy Classic. There are not as many wrap finishes available and you cannot get exotic veneers like Birdseye Maple and Waterfall Bubinga etc like you can on the Legacy Classics.

If you want that thuddy, fat low pitched sound get the Mahogany Classics.
If you want more volume, resonance but still retaining fatness and bottom end with more finish options get the Legacy Classics.

+1 re the sound. Mahogany a bit lower pitched.
And, more wrap options are gonna be available soon I'm told.

 

[RickP]

I think it would be really interesting if Ludwig would offer a Legacy line like the Mahogany Classic with a maple outer veneer rather than the Mahogany so they could offer more lacquer finish options . It would be cool if they would also offer it with a white resocote interior as well.

 

[drumflyer]

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep you posted as to the purchase!

 

[avedisschwinn]

I have a friend at Ludwig who says the popularity of the mahogany drums is exploding. Not that popularity matters, but folks are hearing something they like. I have been playing a Leedy kit with mahogany shells/maple rings and one thing I notice is that is has a very broad tuning range.

 

[Heartbeat]

Have you listened to the Ludwig "taste test?"

 

[drumflyer]

Have you listened to the Ludwig "taste test?"

Yes I have watched the video. The drums sound so close sonically to each other. I was hoping for some input from pros and I got it from Bun, also from Rick.
These drums sound so good and I think if I went either way I'd be happy. I've always wanted drums that have "that" sound from the 50s to the mid/late 60s and I think the Mahogs will win out. Just taking a deep breath before writing the check.

 

[drumflyer]

I have owned two Legacy Classic kits and got to check out the Mahogany Classic kit at Drum Center of Portsmouth. You really can't go wrong with either model. The Mahogany Classic had more of that classic 60's Ludwig thump IMHO. More bottom end, a tad fatter and thumpier than the Legacy Classic. I found the Legacy a classic to have more cut and resonance than the Mahogny Classic. The difference sonically between the two is not huge but it is definitely noticeable.

The Mahogany Classic doesn't have the same amount of finish options as the Legacy Classic. There are not as many wrap finishes available and you cannot get exotic veneers like Birdseye Maple and Waterfall Bubinga etc like you can on the Legacy Classics.

If you want that thuddy, fat low pitched sound get the Mahogany Classics.
If you want more volume, resonance but still retaining fatness and bottom end with more finish options get the Legacy Classics.

+1 re the sound. Mahogany a bit lower pitched.
And, more wrap options are gonna be available soon I'm told.

Are the Mahoganys available in White Marine?

 

[JCKOriollo]

I just feel like the mahogany's have a little something special in their sound I don't hear with the normal legacies. Those would be what I would get if I were in the market but I'd also be considering the sakae trilogy as well.

 

[drumflyer]

I just feel like the mahogany's have a little something special in their sound I don't hear with the normal legacies. Those would be what I would get if I were in the market but I'd also be considering the sakae trilogy as well.

I really am looking at drums made in the U.S. right now. Ludwig and DW classics are at the top of the list.

 

[RickP]

I have owned two Legacy Classic kits and got to check out the Mahogany Classic kit at Drum Center of Portsmouth. You really can't go wrong with either model. The Mahogany Classic had more of that classic 60's Ludwig thump IMHO. More bottom end, a tad fatter and thumpier than the Legacy Classic. I found the Legacy a classic to have more cut and resonance than the Mahogny Classic. The difference sonically between the two is not huge but it is definitely noticeable.

The Mahogany Classic doesn't have the same amount of finish options as the Legacy Classic. There are not as many wrap finishes available and you cannot get exotic veneers like Birdseye Maple and Waterfall Bubinga etc like you can on the Legacy Classics.

If you want that thuddy, fat low pitched sound get the Mahogany Classics.
If you want more volume, resonance but still retaining fatness and bottom end with more finish options get the Legacy Classics.

+1 re the sound. Mahogany a bit lower pitched.
And, more wrap options are gonna be available soon I'm told.

Are the Mahoganys available in White Marine?

They are available in an aged WMP finish that looks really nice.

 

[What It Is]

Now bring back the Super Classics! So bummed I sold mine in the early 90's!

Is it me, or is Ludwig just killing it right now? Really happy to see them back on everyone's radar.

 

[bellbrass]

I have owned and gigged with a Legacy Classic kit, and I currently own, and have played quite a bit, a Legacy Mahogany.

The Legacy Mahogany doesn't sound exactly like a 60s Ludwig 3-ply kit, but's it's very close. It has slightly lower pitch and slightly less decay compared to the Legacy Classic. The Legacy Classic, though, sounds more mellow than a standard maple kit with 45° edges, due to the reinforcement rings and rounded edges. How do they sound compared with each other? I think fairly different. I prefer the Legacy Mahogany - it has more warmth, but it also has a bit more resonance than the vintage 60s kits I've owned.

 

[What It Is]

Have you listened to the Ludwig "taste test?"

Yes I have watched the video. The drums sound so close sonically to each other. I was hoping for some input from pros and I got it from Bun, also from Rick.
These drums sound so good and I think if I went either way I'd be happy. I've always wanted drums that have "that" sound from the 50s to the mid/late 60s and I think the Mahogs will win out. Just taking a deep breath before writing the check.

Yet those CM's sound great. Tough choices ahead! Have fun

 

[jbonzo1]

RickP nailed the sound differences.
I have the Maple Legs in 13/16/24 with a matching School Festival snare with a Birdseye Maple exotic veneer. I'm sure a Mahogany kit would pair nicely with it.

 

[drumflyer]

Need to see if Stevo can hook me up!

 

[wflkurt]

I am the biggest Ludwig supporter here and love the new stuff they are doing. That being said I would be weary about the WMP wrap. They have had issues with WMP wrap going back to the late 70's. The wrap itself is a little on the thin side and even with the wrap tite process thay are doing now, that color still can buckle. I have a friend with a 2013 classic maple set in WMP and every drum has a finish issue. I had a brand new classic set I bought brand new in 1990 and it had the same problem. I am saying this just because I would hate to see you have an issue. I went with champagne sparkle as the sparkles are a bit thicker and I have had zero problems and my set has been everywhere. Maybe the person I know just got a bad set but WMP had always made me leary unless it is from the mid 70's back. It's a shame too because I love the look of WMP. Hopefully I am wrong about any current problems. I'm not sure what color options are available in the mohogany but if it was me, I would prob pick a sparkle.

 

[drumflyer]

That could throw the whole Ludwig set out. I know the quality of the build for DW and the prices are about the same for the legacy Mahogany and DW Classics. Same lead time too. I really want a white marine, but if Ludwig is having issues with that wrap I would go with DW. Back to square 1.