FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Ludwig Rocker Drum

Question:
I'm looking at a Ludwig Rocker jazz-size set in a catalog. Are these drums any good? Are they on the same level as the Tama Rockstar or Pearl Exports? The hardware with the Rocker jazz is lighter than with the regular Rocker. Is this a problem?

Answer:
I have a late 80's set that are great HOWEVER, I was talking to a guy who has a 3 month old set that absolutely SUCK. The drums themselves SOUND great but the hardware has been pure CRAP. In 3 months, he has replaced ALL the Tom Mounts and ALL the Lugs! He said some of the lugs actually pulled out while he was playing a set! No disrespect intended, but I would never say Ludwig Rockers sound great. I had a set of Rocker II's, bought new in the 80's, and they sucked arse. You are right about their hardware, it sucks-- period. boy this isn't encournaging. I ordered the Jazz Rockers due to price / features (Jazz size drums at a great sale price) and figured I could trust the Ludwig name. I figured the differences between similarly priced sets will be minor, especially in the entry and intermediate level kits. I'm buying these for my 10 year old son (first kit) and for myself (first kit). We've played power size sets (12-13-16) but didn't like the boominess of the large toms. The jazz size kits fits him better and we both like the sound better. The best deal I could find on a kit was a Rocker. Most used kits seem to be the 12-13-16 configuration and with Christmas coming I don't have forever to wait for just the right used kit to show up. I could get a new Swinstar or Forum in a jazz size for less than the Rockers. Would that be a better choice? Price IS an issue here. The Rockers for $550 (w/hardware, no throne) are the upper limit for price. Yes, it's subjective, and also relative. One might say they sound great compared to Pearl Exports or Yamaha Stage Customs. But in the overall scheme of things, all those kits really suck. They are what they are, intro level kits. If someone were asking me for a list of which intro level kits to buy, Ludwig wouldn't even get a mentioned