Ludwig Legacy Classic or Canopus Sword Bop?

RobertM

Platinum Member
Any opinions about preferences here? I was debating these kits today with a friend. Both sound great for bebop, and both are roughly in the same price range. The Luddies win out for finish options--wraps and a few lacquers. The Canopus Sword is only in satin natural maple. Radically different shells: 3-ply maple/poplar with rerings and rounded edges vs. Canopus's 7-ply maple (thickness unknown; the Luddies are 3 ply/6 mm, according to the measurements offered on their site).

Makes me wonder if the Sword shells are similar to Classic Maples (7 ply/6 mm)??
 
Both kits are great and would serve you well. Canopus drums have poor resale but the sword kits are in stock at several stores. The Ludiwg Legacy kit will have a better resale, color selection, sizing, etc. Ludwig special orders take 2-3 months so that is a consideration. If you want a ludwig Classic Maple kit you will save money and there are a few bop kits currently on Ebay. I play jazz and rock and have on order a Ludwig Legacy kit 20,12,14,14sn. I went with the 14x20 instead of an 18 for versatility. Here are a few Youtube clips to check out.

Canopus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrvAZN0AuVQ&feature=feedf

Ludwig Legacy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X0JbIN36Mg&feature=feedf_more
 
Interesting clips. I quite liked the Luddy toms, but the bass drum seemed very weak. The canopus seemed weak period. I'm sure the recording method & environment has much to do with this, even so, I wasn't terribly impressed with either kit.
 
Check out the Gretsch Club Jazz and the new Sonor Bop kits as well.
 
My vote os for the Legacy Classic kit.I am rejudiced as I own one, but regardless these are excellent drums with a really wide tuning range that they sound good in. They have lot's of finish options and they would definitely have better resale value than the Canopus,not that I think you would sell these after hearing them.
 
If it's about appearance and broad appeal, Ludwig. OTOH if it's sound definitely Canopus. Tune in some night to Small's Jazz Club and listen to their Canopus house kit, pretty amazing.
 
The toms sound close to the legacy clip but the kick sounds nicer with no weird overtones, just pure tone.

Those Legacy kicks are badass... it's just how that guy had it tuned and the angle from where it was being recorded.. That is not anywhere near a decent representation of that drum..
 
If everything else being equal I'd go with USA-made Ludwigs. Canopus is Japanese?

"Proud to be an American"....said Lee Greenwood...
 
I have a Legacy Classic kit and couldn't be happier with it. I think the kick sounds particularly good. I went with an old school 14" depth, and the 3 ply shell gives it a nice deep low end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpIDjoiYv6o

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