charliedrummer
Senior Member
The kits in the lower row of the image posted appear to be a rebranded Centennial line, similar to the new Universal metal snare series replacing the former Black Magic line.
I defer to Bermuda.
He may be under a NDA, but the cat's out of the bag now.
You make some good observations about Ludwig's lower line of drum kits. I do, however, think Ludwig does quite well in their lower end with their snare line-up, such as the Supralite and Universal series. They have some excellent offerings in these two lines.Ludwig seems a bit of an anomaly to me. At least compared to Gretsch. Gretsch has terrifically successful lower end models like Catalina. Then a step up to Renown. Both made in Asia. I don't think Ludwig has anything like these two models both in the vast number of finishes and configurations available, or in market acceptance. Catalina and Renown are home runs and have been for years. The place Ludwig shines is in that next tier - Classic Maple. A staple in the marketplace one of most successful models of any manufacturer. You could say the industry standard at that price point. Gretsch has Brooklyns around that price point but Ludwig owns that market. Seems Ludwig always trying to better penetrate that market just below Classic Maple the market dominated by Gretsch and Tama. Neusonic? Centennial? That kit you had to assemble I forgot the name? Accent? Questlove? Others? That's all the space Gretsch owns with Catalina and to some extent Renown. Tama, too, with Superstar lineup. I should probably throw in Yamaha and Pearl with their kits in this lower market segment, too. They have large % of that market, too. All those finishes from Tama and Gretsch and Pearl and Yamaha. The sizzle. They all own that space, which is the space that dominates sales because it's a lower price point. I'm guessing new Ludwig line is yet another attempt to better penetrate that market.
Ludwig seems a bit of an anomaly to me. At least compared to Gretsch. Gretsch has terrifically successful lower end models like Catalina. Then a step up to Renown. Both made in Asia. I don't think Ludwig has anything like these two models both in the vast number of finishes and configurations available, or in market acceptance. Catalina and Renown are home runs and have been for years. The place Ludwig shines is in that next tier - Classic Maple. A staple in the marketplace one of most successful models of any manufacturer. You could say the industry standard at that price point. Gretsch has Brooklyns around that price point but Ludwig owns that market. Seems Ludwig always trying to better penetrate that market just below Classic Maple the market dominated by Gretsch and Tama. Neusonic? Centennial? That kit you had to assemble I forgot the name? Accent? Questlove? Others? That's all the space Gretsch owns with Catalina and to some extent Renown. Tama, too, with Superstar lineup. I should probably throw in Yamaha and Pearl with their kits in this lower market segment, too. They have large % of that market, too. All those finishes from Tama and Gretsch and Pearl and Yamaha. The sizzle. They all own that space, which is the space that dominates sales because it's a lower price point. I'm guessing new Ludwig line is yet another attempt to better penetrate that market.
....With Ludwig, I like the idea of resurrecting the Rocker or Standard name. ....
I don't think Rockers and Standards were imports though.
I think Rockers eventually were imports, but then the reputation went down too.
I wouldn't use those names for imported drums.
Re-introducing the concept/construction of them under a different name would be OK.
But what would make them stand out from the crowd then?
What would be their unique identifying feature?
What about Neusonics? A tad more expensive than a grand but They’re pretty darn good. Maple/cherryNo, they weren't imports originally, though as you mention Rocker was eventually.
My thought was Ludwig should go with a name that actually has some history/brand recognition for the company and I don't really have an issue with Ludwig using those names on an import kit even though the original Standards and Rockers were not. Much like how Tama seems to have no problem using the Superstar and Imperialstar names on their entry and mid-level kits today.
I'm not even sure Ludwig really has to do anything all that unique beyond having a reliable and clear product line. Other than finishes most every other company's offerings in the $500 and $1000 drumset category are fairly interchangeable. I'm not expecting Ludwig to try to suddenly offer a "best in class" kit, it's just so sad that they don't seem to be interested in offering any serious competition at all.
I heard that guy who plays for Weird Al actually gigs those drums they're so nice.What about Neusonics? A tad more expensive than a grand but They’re pretty darn good. Maple/cherry
In digital black oyster no lessI heard that guy who plays for Weird Al actually gigs those drums they're so nice.