Ringo's Beatle Kits

PREMIER MAHOGANY DUROPLASTIC KIT - MODEL 54

8"x12"T, 16"x16"FT, 14"x20"B, 4"x14"S

Date purchased (?)

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

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).

 

FIRST LUDWIG OYSTER BLACK PEARL KIT

8x12"T, 14"x14"FT, 14"x20"BD, 5.5"x14"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.

 

SECOND LUDWIG OYSTER BLACK PEARL KIT

8"x12"T, 14"x14"FT, 14"x20"BD, 5.5"x14"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.  

 

THIRD LUDWIG OYSTER BLACK PEARL KIT

 

9"x13"T, 16"x16"FT, 14"x22"BD, 5.5"x14"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.

 

FOURTH LUDWIG OYSTER BLACK PEARL KIT  

 

9"x13"T, 16"x16"FT, 14"x20"BD, 5.5"x14"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.

 

LUDWIG HOLLYWOOD MAPLE KIT

8"x12"T, 9"x13"T, 16"x16"FT, 14"x22"BD, 5.5"x14"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 at the Concert For Bangaladesh.

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.