LUDWIG Jazzette 1969/70, Black Diamond Pearl. Vintage.

Used vintage drum kit in excellent condition; comes from the (huge) personal collection of Roberto Gatto, a drummer and musician we all know. 18”x12”, 12”x8”, 14”x14”, Black Diamond Pearl covering, three-ply maple/poplar/maple shells with maple reinforcements on the edges.

The Jazzette model was present in the Ludwig catalogs from 1966 to 1974; the one you see pictured dates back to 1969/70, and was assembled with original Ludwig shells with some modifications: the 14”x14” floor tom is completely original, the 12” tom has been covered with a 60s Ludwig wrap taken from another drum, the badge that was originally Blue Olive has been replaced by a very nice and faithful replica of a brass Keystone Badge to match the floor tom.

The bass drum was obtained from a properly and excellently shortened 18" floor tom, repositioning the reinforcing hoop as if it were nothing... The craftsman who took care of it, together with Roberto Gatto, did an excellent job. The holes were professionally closed and the work was concluded with a pair of hoops. Here too, a replica of the 60s Keystone Badge was used.

We all know – I think – how much the rare pristine and completely original Jazzettes from those years sell for, and all you have to do is get a quote from a specialized Ludwig dealer (which I have been since 2007) to get an idea of how much a modern Classic Maple or Legacy in this configuration might cost. For this reason, I can say that the asking price is more than justified.

This drum kit sounds incredible, and Roberto Gatto claims to be a real maniac on it: it is wonderfully tuned, with a warm, round, full timbre.

An instrument that is meant to be played and appreciated.