Ludwig 1970s 3 Ply Silver Sparkle "Bonham" Set. (Almost) Excellent!!

Ludwig 1970s 3 Ply Silver Sparkle "Bonham" Set. (Almost) Excellent!!

This is a beautiful example of a late 1970s 3-ply "Bonham" set. OK, almost! The rack tom measures in at 13x9", one size below the official Bonham size, otherwise it's spot on. 26x14", 18x16" and 16x16".

The set is in exceptional condition. There's some minor lifting on the seams and minor pitting on some of the chrome, otherwise no issues. The set looks so nice it raised concerns that it could have been re-finished. A very close look at the overlapping seam reveals a very small gap (about a 1/4") at the edge of the wrap (see photo). The finish still comes under the wood ply like a typical Ludwig seam, but I've never seen a gap like this. All of the badge grommets look absolutely original and untampered. What do you think?

The finish is excellent with just the slightest fade that is uniform around the whole set. All the serial #s are in the 127XXXX zone. Some extremely minor wear on the bass hoops. Grey flecked interiors. Ludwig Silver Dot heads.

Nothing broken, damaged or missing.

The small Classic lugs and the original holes that fit a Ludwig clip mount on the 13", tipped me off that the 13" tom was converted from a single headed concert tom. The addition of the bottom row of lugs had to be a very professional job. Everything lines up straight and even just like it would at the factory. The bottom edge remains unflawed. The tom has been mounted in a snare stand so no use for a mount. If a Classic Ludwig tom mount were to be added, it could use one of the original holes and would require one additional hole, leaving one extra hole that would be covered by the new mount.

Check out the video to hear how this set punches and projects. It's a rock machine!!

The sale is for just the four drums and two sets of floor tom legs. No other hardware, snare or cymbals are included.