Traditionally, the Ludwig Sound has run the gamut between the low tonal warmth of the Legacy drum shell, and the resonant mid-range qualities of Classic Maple. As musical tastes and styles have evolved, however, a growing segment of the drumming community sees the need for a louder alternative. With this need in mind, Ludwig's team of engineers and craftsmen went back to square one with one goal in mind: a completely new Ludwig drum shell for today's Ludwig Drummer.

The latest creation from Ludwig USA's Monroe facility, Keystone Series Drums have the distinction of a more focused tonality. The 3-ply maple core used in their Classic Maple drums is augmented with 1/16" inner- and outer-plies of American Red Oak. This 5-ply combination creates a thin, dense drum shell that speaks loudly with quick, even decay. In order to draw further resonance from this unique hybrid, the dual 45° bearing edge is pulled to the center of the drum shell to seat perfectly into the head.

The end result is a Ludwig drum shell that produces solid, authoritative tone with high power and attack. For the live music drummer, a perfect balance between high-volume cut and subtle articulation is achieved. The Keystone Series is made under the same strict quality and structural standards as Classic Maple and Legacy drums, putting a modern twist on a century of custom American drum making.

All Ludwig Keystone drums are built to order in Monroe, NC. The Keystone drums are delivered in 4-8 weeks.