Lifelong Drummers Stand Behind Ludwig
Many lifelong drummers here at Sweetwater swear by Ludwig Drums, whether it's their favorite snares or the kits they play live and in the studio. Considering that Ludwig has been around for over a century, it's little wonder they make some of the best drums and drum equipment on the market. From high-end classics to entry-level kits or even their legendary, ultra-stable hardware, we're sure you'll love Ludwig products.
The Ludwig Brothers Revolutionize the Drum World
When a pair of brothers, Theobald and William Ludwig, founded their company in 1909, they had no idea they would change the world of drums and percussion forever. They started with an innovative bass drum pedal, and by the 1920s, they'd already introduced one of the most popular snare drums of all time: the Black Beauty Ludwig snare drum.
The Speed King and Beyond
While Ludwig changed ownership during the Great Depression, they never lost their dedication to uncompromising quality and continued to produce popular drums and percussion. They changed hands again in 1955, when William (WFL) reacquired Ludwig. In the meantime, William had introduced the Speed King, possibly the most influential direct-drive kick pedal ever — it's still considered the gold standard among collectors at Sweetwater.
Ringo to Bonham: Ludwig Drums Become a Household Name
The Ludwig name truly took off in 1964, when Ringo Starr first took the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show with a Black Oyster Pearl drum set. That was also the year that saw the introduction of the Supraphonic snare drum. By the '70s, many of the top artists in classic rock history had taken up Ludwig Drums, including John Bonham from Led Zeppelin. The '80s saw Ludwig come under the ownership of Selmer drums, and an amazing new generation of drum kits such as the Classic Maple series hit the market just in time to celebrate Ludwig's 90th anniversary.
The Ludwig Legacy Expands
In the new millennium, a series of hits join Ludwig's classic models, combining Black Beauty and Supraphonic snares with new sets such as the BreakBeats kit by Questlove. In recent years, Sweetwater has seen Ludwig's lineup continue to grow and evolve, and our customers couldn't be happier. Whether you're looking for a great value or your next premium snare, you can't go wrong with Ludwig Drums.
Still searching for more reasons to choose Ludwig Drums? Check out the following Sweetwater buying guides for more information.
- Acoustic Drums Buying Guide | inSync
- Snare Drum Buying Guide | inSync
- Best Professional Drum Sets of 2023 | inSync
* Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged, and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the initial total promo purchase amount divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Account APR is 29.99% as of 1/1/2024. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
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