RINGO'S BEATLE KITS

In all of the years since The Beatles, there has never been an accurate undertaking to clearly document the details of Ringo's Beatle kits. The closest that someone has come is Andy Babiuk, author of Beatles Gear. Many thanks to Andy for his extensive work in this area.

My interest in Ringo’s kits came in an unusual way. A number of years ago when I decided to buy a “Ringo kit” and I landed up with a 3-piece Ludwig set from 1969. I thought that I asked the seller all of the right questions and since I had nothing to reference, I thought that I was getting the real deal. It turned out that the Oyster Black Pearl wrap was different from what Ringo had. The shells were covered in the so-called “Bowling Ball” wrap, a change made by Ludwig in 1969. Needless to say, that’s what sparked my interest in researching Ringo’s kits.

I have spent countless hours reading books and magazines, scrutinizing thousands of photos and have spoken to or have had contact with people that are knowledgeable in vintage drums, as well as people with a Beatles/Ringo connection.

In addition to learning from vintage collectors and Ringo drum enthusiasts, my primary source of information has been photographs. Detailed forensic analysis of photos has played a key roll in providing information that verifies specific drums and hardware and gives a timeline.

Obviously, the only way to truly complete this research would be to examine Ringo’s kits to get all of the factual information documented for their historic value. I am hopeful and positive that one day this will happen.

That being said, please note that this website is a continual work in progress and kindly know that I have tried to verify every bit of information found on this site to keep things factual. I am always open to additional information and insight on this subject and will always give credit where credit is due.

The go-to-guy for this subject would have been Mal Evans, the Beatles road manager and trusted friend. Unfortunately, Mal passed in 1976.

Mal Evans breaks down Ringo's kit after the Beatles Washington DC performance on February 11, 1964

Ringo's Six (6) Beatle Kits

1) RINGO'S PREMIER MAHOGANY DUROPLASTIC KIT

Ringo began his start with the Beatles on August 18, 1962 using this Premier drum kit.

8" x 12"T, 16" x 16"FT, 14" x 20"B, 4" x 14"S

Date purchased (?)

This kit was used during The Beatles first initial recording sessions including the famous marathon session. Songs recorded: Twist And Shout, Please Please Me, P.S. I Love You, Baby It’s You, Do You Want to Know A Secret, A Taste Of Honey, There’s A Place, From Me To You, I Saw Here Standing There, Misery, Anna, Chains, Boys, Ask Me Why, Thank You Girl, Love Me Do, How Do You Do It, One After 909 (early version).

2) RINGO'S FIRST LUDWIG OYSTER BLACK PEARL KIT

8 x 12"T, 14" x 14"FT, 14" x 20"BD, 5.5" x 14"S

Took possession May 12, 1963

Ringo's first Ludwig kit was purchased from Drum City in London and was actually delivered to Alpha Television Studios in Aston, Birmingham,Warwickshire, England. The Beatles were making their first appearance as headliners on Thank Your Lucky Stars. Ringo last used his Premier kit during the rehearsal of this show and used his new Ludwig kit for the performance.

3) RINGO'S SECOND LUDWIG OYSTER BLACK PEARL KIT

8" x 12"T, 14" x 14"FT, 14" x 20"BD, 5.5" x 14"S

A 3-piece Ludwig Downbeat (mini) oyster black pearl kit was purchased from Manny's Music Store in Manhattan in NYC just prior to The Beatles first Ed Sullivan Show performance on February 9, 1964. Ringo brought from England his Ludwig oyster black pearl snare drum, his cymbals & a new Beatles drum head.

Note: The day before the show, Manny's mistakenly delivered a Ludwig white marine pearl Super Classic kit. Ringo used this kit for Saturday's rehearsal and the correct kit was delivered in time for Sunday morning's dress rehearsal.  

4) RINGO'S THIRD LUDWIG OYSTER BLACK PEARL KIT

9" x 13"T, 16" x 16"FT, 14" x 22"BD, 5.5" x 14"S

Purchased May 31, 1964

This kit seems to be the most widely used by Ringo for both recording and touring. In addition, this drum kit shows up in countless photo opp's and promotional movies such as: Hello Good Bye, I Am The Walrus, Hey Jude and Revolution and many more.

5) RINGO'S FOURTH LUDWIG OYSTER BLACK PEARL KIT  

9" x 13"T, 16" x 16"FT, 14" x 20"BD, 5.5" x 14"S

Purchased just prior to August 13, 1965, right before their American tour.

What's interesting to me about this kit is that it appears only to have been used for the 1965 US tour. Photo's show that when The Beatles continued touring in the UK after leaving the US, he went back to using his first Super Classic kit.

6) RINGO'S LUDWIG HOLLYWOOD MAPLE KIT

8" x 12"T, 9" x 13"T, 16" x 16"FT, 14" x 22"BD, 5.5" x 14"S

Manufactured in 1967. Purchased in late 1968.

I was told by Jeff Chonis that this kit has 1967 interior shell stamp dates. This kit was used on Let It Be and Abbey Road. Ringo also used this kit when he performed with George Harrison at the Concert For Bangaladesh and for B.B. King Live in London.

Ringo also used this maple kit when he recorded his Choose Love CD. If you look closely at his 9"x13" tom, just above the blue label strip and keystone badge, you can see the faint outine of where the Drum City label used to be.