Ludwig Review: Fab 4 Kit

History: I HAVE BEEN PLAYING DRUMS FOR OVER FORTY YEARS!!A FULL TIME WORKING DRUMMER SINCE I WAS 15 YRS. OLD. I PLAY MOSTLY BLUES, R&B AND MOTOWN.ALSO DID SOME SHOW DRUMMING BACK IN THE DAY..

Purchase: I HAVE A 64 SET I BOUGHT AS A KID AND PLAYED THEM FOR MANY YEARS.A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I SAW THE FAB 4 KIT IN BOP IN A AD AND HAD TO HAVE THEM.MY ORIG. KIT IS WMP.A FRIEND OWNS A MUSIC STORE AND WAS GOING TO THE NAMM SHOW IN L.A. AND I TOLD HIM IF HE COULD GET ME A DEAL I WANTED THEM!!HE CALLED A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER AND SAID I COULD HAVE THE KIT AT THE SHOW FOR $1500.00 I SAID SHIP EM

What I Like About This Ludwig Fab 4 Kit: FIRST OF ALL THE DRUMS ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!THE WORKMANSHIP IS ALOT BETTER THAN ON MY 64'S. THE BEARING EDGES,THE WRAP,AND THE ON DRUM HARDWARE IS ALL TOP QUALITY.EASY TO TUNE AND STAY IN TUNE BETTER.THE SNARE LUGS LOOSEN ONCE IN A WHILE, BUT I USE ALOT OF RIM SHOTS SO THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED..THE SOUND IS GREAT!!BIG AND FAT!!!

What I Do NOT Like About The Ludwig Fab 4 Kit: THE ONLY THING I DIDN'T LIKE WAS THE HEADS THE KIT CAME WITH. I NEVER REALLY CARED FOR THE WEATHERKING HEADS. THEY GAVE THE DRUMS THAT CLASSIC LOOK, BUT HEADS HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN FORTY YEARS. I PUT EAVANS G2'S ON THEM AND G1 ON THE SNARE AND AEQ ON THE KICK WITH A EQ PAD.I DID SAVE THE ORIG HEADS,BOXES,STICKS.AND DRUM KEY THAT CAME WITH THE KIT.THESE ARE AND WILL REMAIN CLASSICS, SO IF MY HEIRS EVER WANT TO SELL THEM THEY WILL HAVE THE COMPLETE PACKAGE..

Ludwig Fab 4 Kit Quality Rating: THE MAPLE IS FLAWLESS.AND SOUNDS GREAT.THE WRAP IS TIGHT,THE SEAMS ARE TIGHT.I PLAY OVER 100 SHOWS A YEAR AND THESE DRUMS HAVE NEVER LET ME DOWN.THEY SET UP EASILY, AND WITH ALL THE SETTING UP AND TEARING DOWN I HAVE HAD NO STRIPPED THREADS..

Review Summary: THESE DRUMS SOUND GREAT AND LOOK BEAUTIFUL. TOP QUALITY START TO FINISH. I AM 57 YRS OLD, STARTED WITH LUDWIGS AND I WILL END WITH LUDWIGS.THERE ARE A LOT OFDRUMS ON THE MARKET ,SOME GOOD SOME NOT SO GOOD, BUT REMEMBER, WHEN YOU SEE THESE GUYS ON TV OR AT A CONCERT, SOMEBODY IS GIVING THEM THE DRUMS FOR FREE. I DON'T MIND PAYING FOR THE BEST

Rating of this Ludwig product: 5

This Ludwig Fab 4 Kit Drums Percussion Review Submitted By: DICK KNIPPING

Review Date: 2008-04-08