Mark - looks like 6-ply clear maple shells, no re-rings. Those 6-ply shells are some of the best sounding drum shells Ludwig ever made. It might be a low-end kit, but it'll sound better than most top of the line kits.

John

I loved the Rockers kit I had. Mine was a bit earlier in the 80s than yours, as your kit is almost in the power-tom era. Nonetheless they're still made in USA in Monroe, NC. My kit had Granitone interior but yes I believe it was maple.

The price on this kit though ($499) is a bit high. i sold mine with COW Ludwig snare for $450 and I was willing to go as low as $400.

I'm going to say Rocker with Power Toms based on the black wooden hoops, the style of kick spurs, standard lugs, Rocker tom mount system and the clear shell interiors.

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/ludwig_rockers/1988-LUDWIG2.jpg

According to the sales info, 4-plys of select American wood veneers with clear lacquered insides.

$499 might be a little steep for a B/W badged kit, even though it was still made in the USA.

I bought my B/W USA badge Frost White Rocker II's with Classic lugs for $99. :eek: It still has the original Rockers clear silver dot batter heads, the Rockers clear resonant heads and came with a Rocker L2930 foot pedal too. The 1970 B/O Acrolite in the picture was not included.

-Tim

I thought the Rockers came with the metal bass drum hoops with an inlay???

Still have mine from 1985. I'll NEVER sell them. The first kit I ever bought. They sound INCREDIBLE. I still use them here & there too!

I believe the first edition of the Rockers were wood hoops with classic lugs. Sweet!

Great section on the Ludwig Rockers line:

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_rockers.html

Started around 1984 as the Standard or S/L line and had many evolutions/configurations up until 1994-ish. This appears to be when the line was made over seas.

My kit was cataloged as having the Standard lugs, but it was built with Classic lugs. So anything is possible with the Rocker line.

-Tim

Exactly. These were the first drums to be turned out in Monroe. Just like the Standards (kinda). Some of the shells were different, or had gray fleck paint. Many were clear finished. Both are incredible drums for what you can get them for. These are kind of like Rogers 'Big R' drums. Wonderful drums that nobody likes.

I've got three early Rocker kits. I've not restored any yet, but I have set 'em up and goofed around with 'em. Excellent drums. One of the kits came with wood bass hoops, the other two were metal. You can tell the difference. You can find standard sized rack toms, but it's easier to find power toms. I've managed to find a few 13" standard depth Rocker rack toms, so someday I'll get 'em finished.

Look to the right of the B/W badge. If it says 'USA' they were made in Monroe.

These will be very popular drums eventually. Once folks figure out the early versions were made here. I believe it was around '83 Ludwig began having them made in Asia. Maybe even earlier. However, I've heard of guys buying a US made Rocker kit as late as '86.

They mostly came with a COS 14 X 6 8 lug snare that is surprisingly good as well.

If you're looking for a great kit, for cheap. snag one of these. Both the early US Rocker's and the Big R's are the sleepers of the decade.

And, forgot to mention. All the early Rocker's I've seen have Standard lugs.

True, but the Rocker wraps were pretty dull and boring. Red, white or black for the most part.

The Standards at least had the cool wraps, the stratas, etc. Hence the higher demand.