Ludwig Classic Birch

[Bub]

I recently heard a friend's Ludwig Classic Birch, and I have to say it was fantastic. Much better than any other high end kit I've had the pleasure to hear (including Mapex Saturn + Orion, Tama Starclassics and both Maple and Birch versions of the Premier Artist series)
Sometime next year I'll be looking to buy a new kit, and I'd quite like it to be this kind of quality. I hear good things about Birch for my uses (apparently its better for recording? and in closed mic situations?) and it also happens to be closer to affordable than Maple.

How would I go about getting one? Do I simply ask for a quote at every drum shop in the country? Do I order a catalogue off of Ludwig's site? And I kind of need a run through of the hardware I need - My hi hat stand, bass pedals, snare stand, cymbal stands and throne are all pretty good and I don't want to buy extras.

Please someone with some experience of buying a kit in this way help me :)

[Drum Monkey]

Ok, here we go.

1) Establish exactly what you want, even write it all down. Every drum including their size, the finish, every additional cymbal stand you may need, etc. Once you know this, you can start shopping.

2) You now need to give some stores that sell Ludwig items a call. Talk to someone there who can help you and let them know what you are looking for. They can, from there, give you a quote ($).

3) Now you know what the set will cost you. You can save up! Or, if you already have the cash, buy, buy ,buy :p

-DM

[Bub]

Ok that's quite helpful thanks
Regarding number 1, that's the thing, I don't know how specific I need to be, or what each item would include

For example, I don't know whether I need to say "5 piece blah blah blah with tom mounts and bass spurs and lugs and..."
I was really looking for someone to tell me what I DO need
I don't need hi hat stand, snare stand, bass pedal, cymbal stands

I need all the other hardware, but I don't know that this hardware IS to specify

Also, does anyone know if Ludwig Birch kits can come with Brass Hardware if I specified? Would I have to pay extra, and if so how much?

[Ming-a-Ling]

Sounds like you just need a typical shell kit, which comes with the drums and the necessary mounting hardware, it just doesn't come with cymbal stands, snare stands, pedals, ect. It might not come with heads either, but I could be wrong on that. They might sell shell kits of the Ludwig Birch, in that case you'd look for one in the sizes you'd want, otherwise, you'll have to order piece by piece, in which case you'd need to buy the mounting hardware. I think the floor toms would come with legs, and the bass drum with spurs, but you'd need like tom arms, and clamps or some sort of tom mounting system.

You will definetly need to figure out what sizes you want though. That's an entirely personal thing, and not something we can tell you. Just for reference, a fusion kit comes in 10", 12", 14", 20" or 22" bass drum. All of those would be rack toms. A standard kit comes in 12", 13", 16", 22". The 16" would be a floor tom.

[Drum Monkey]

A shell kit consists of the drums, including all hardware on the drum (heads, rims, lugs, tension rods, bass drum spurs, etc.) and tom arms for mounting the toms. They do not come with a hi-hat stand, snare stand, bass pedal, or any cymbal stands.

If you have all of the needed hardware a shell pack seems to be your best option. From there, like Ming said, you need to find the sizes you want. Here is the site containing all of the configurations available http://www.ludwig-drums.com/content/products/birch/index.php(Power, Big Beat, Fusion and Gig-lite Outfits.) Once you figure out which one is best for you (maybe ordering many single drums of different sizes is what you want, but you can always add-on to your kit whichever configuration you choose) you can decide on a finish. Ludwig Classic Birchs come in Wrapped finishes or Natural Satin finishes. Decide on that and you're set!

-DM

[Dave*Grohl]

"The Classic Birch Series features our genuine 7 ply, 7mm thick Ludwig USA made Birch and Italian Poplar shells, to provide professional performance at a competitive price. Ludwig’s Weather Master Drum Heads are also made in the USA and come standard with our Rocker Pro Series."

That cant be good

[Ming-a-Ling]

No. A shell kit consists of the drums, including all hardware on the drum (heads, rims, lugs, tension rods, etc.) and tom arms for mounting the toms. They do not come with a hi-hat stand, snare stand, bass pedal, or any cymbal stands.

-DM

That's exactly what I said...I just wasn't sure if they came with heads or not.

[Drum Monkey]

That's exactly what I said...I just wasn't sure if they came with heads or not.
Yes you're right, I meant no as in they do come with heads... Sorry about the confusion.

Here is a review on the kit:

http://www.musicgearreview.com/review-display/11212.html

Poplar may not be a good drum wood when alone, although when mixed with birch, who knows...

-DM

[Zildjian]

I recently heard a friend's Ludwig Classic Birch, and I have to say it was fantastic. Much better than any other high end kit I've had the pleasure to hear (including Mapex Saturn + Orion, Tama Starclassics and both Maple and Birch versions of the Premier Artist series)

is ure friend on crack?? If anything look at the ones he said that there better than, there the best around

[Drum Monkey]

is ure friend on crack?? If anything look at the ones he said that there better than, there the best around
There is too many variables there. Maybe he liked the tuning on the Ludwig better... Maybe the other kits did not have as good as heads... Some of the other kits there are higher end when compared to the Ludwig, although if that's the sound he's really after, then what's wrong?

-DM

[chewaz]

is ure friend on crack?? If anything look at the ones he said that there better than, there the best around

ludwig is better - period.

[Bub]

is ure friend on crack?? If anything look at the ones he said that there better than, there the best around

I don't understand what in Hades you are talking about
My friend didn't say anything about it, I gave -my- opinion, and I said that I preferred the Ludwig Classic Birch to other drums I have heard SUCHAS the Mapex Orion etc...

And yeah DM there are a lot of variables, but if I can get that exact sound out of the Ludwig that he did, I would be ecstatic.

Also DM and Ming-A-Ling, thanks a lot for your help, the shell kit sounds exactly what I want. The Power Outfit looks about right for me. Hunter Satin finish...

On Ludwig's site, it says nothing about gold/brass hardware (such as rings on toms), so does that mean its not available? Even if I asked nicely?

[Drum Monkey]

On Ludwig's site, it says nothing about gold/brass hardware (such as rings on toms), so does that mean its not available? Even if I asked nicely?
If it's not mentioned on the site as an option I don't think you'd be able to get a kit with gold/brass hardware. You can always order just gold/brass hardware from your local music store and change it with the chrome hardware that will come with your kit... Just make sure you get the right size hoops/rims, lugs, spurs, etc.

-DM