Ludwig Big Beat 1978/79, Blue Oyster Pearl.

Wonderful drum kit in very good condition; 22"x14", 12"x8", 13"x9", 16"x16", Blue Oyster Pearl wrapped finish.

Almost completely original: the floor tom legs are Pearl, and three T-handle tension rods on the bass drum have been replaced, visible on the batter side near where the pedal attaches. The serial numbers on the Blue Olive badges allow for an approximate dating to 1978/79. Round felt mufflers present on the toms and floor tom, in perfect cosmetic and functional condition.

As was customary in models from those years, Ludwig placed the wrap overlap under the tom mount bracket, securing it with a row of rivets to prevent peeling. However, as is well known, the wrap tended not only to peel but also to shrink; the use of these rivets, in addition to being unsightly as they were placed at the most visible point on the two toms, proved useless in practice. On this set, the most obvious defect is noticeable, especially at the seam of the floor tom. I am not inclined to tamper with it, perhaps only to clean glue traces. The weak points of this drum kit are finished.

The six-ply maple and poplar shells, used by Ludwig since 1976, provide a more defined and powerful sound compared to the classic three-ply with re-rings, with slightly more controlled sustain; the finish is a re-edition of the 1960s Blue Oyster Pearl, made of plastic material with wider and brightly colored streaks. I find it beautiful, my favorite from the Ludwig catalog.

A classic instrument, with a now legendary tone, full-bodied, warm, and powerful, which has excellently stood the test of time. Currently, the toms and floor tom are fitted with Remo Ambassador Coated batter heads and Ambassador Clear resonant heads, and the tone is very well balanced with remarkable low frequencies. The bass drum has its original head with a central hole, as evident from the photos, and a Remo Powerstroke Renaissance; here too, abundant low frequencies, excellent attack, and fairly controlled resonance even without internal muffling.