This is as clean a 60-year-old Ludwig as I’ve ever seen, a kit that was in a closet for 40 years with very little corrosion at all, hardly any scuffs or marks on the all-original BDP wrap, and complete and all-original. Is this “collector’s grade”? Quite likely it is...

The tension rods on the bass drum and toms are really the only area that show some aging, but if you really, really scrutinize the hardware there might be some minute, pin-size aging. The original wrap is deeply-colored, consistent and free of fading. It’s really hard to find anything to complain about in this kit. There is one hairline crack on the veneer of one-half of the bass drum rim, and there is black paint peeling on a 7-9 inch section along the bottom of both bass drum rims. I haven’t painted them and will leave the decision on restoring that portion to the buyer, as I’m no restoration expert.

Bearing edges I’ve seen look really good, but it’s been awhile since I checked so please ask me to take/send more pictures before your purchase if you’re concerned and I’ll happily do so.

Dates to 1965 (post-Beatles) and lugs are chrome-over-brass while rims and hardware is chrome-over-steel, which happened after the Ludwig Beatles boom!

Amazing, amazing kit...