Vintage speed kings are great pedals if you can find ones without the typical worn out and abused footboard hinge. Ghost pedals are great as well, and again as long as they aren't all worn out in the hinge area as well not being messed about with the clockspring mechanisms. Nothing wrong with Rogers swivomatic pedals either. So they aren't Ludwig, but does it really matter? If you like them use them. Buddy Rich did just that when he went to Slingerland again and also Ludwig again after being a Rogers endorser.
I've used other Ludwig pedals as well besides the speedking and ghost. The Universal speedmaster is a great pedal, if not a bit lightweight, and you can usually find them on ebay for reasonable money. Also, the 60's-70's version of the Junior pedal has good feel to it as well, but is harder to find since they were not as popular as the universal, ghost or speedking.
The moral is buy the best condition pedal you can find. Ask for lots of pictures of the heel hinge area on all of these making sure they are not worn out. Also, get one that is complete, as spare parts for any of them (except the speedking) are hard to come by.
