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My WFL Orphan Project

Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Hi all,

I've been working on putting a 'woody' kit together ala Levon Helm. Thanks to my very good friend, Vintagemore2000 (Mark) I secured a WFL 26" bass drum with Zephyr lugs to build the kit around. Took me a little while, but I tracked down two killer vintage 3-ply mahogany shells and I went to work. See photo. Tell me what you think.

The sizes are: 10"x14" rack tom, 16"x16" floor tom, 16"x26" virgin bass drum. The only thing missing at the moment is a set of clip-mount legs for the floor tom. When I get the mounts and legs on the floor tom, I'll post some photos of the kit all set up.

All shells are vintage 1950's and older, WFL/Ludwig shells. I used Ludwig Standard lugs on the toms along with vintage Ludwig clips and maple hoops. The kit looks and sounds awesome. The drums are deep sounding, resonant and very warm.

Open for reviews... how'd I do with my orphans?

*The second photo is a shot of the kits I have lined up. It was just a cool shot so I took it. My Oaklawn Camco's are way in the back hardly visible in the photo.

John

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Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

Doesn't look like orphans, John!!!

Spiffy, spiffy. bunny in LOOOOOOOOVE!!!!

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 2197 Threads: 202

Using Standard lugs to give a close approximation to the Zephyrs-BRILLIANT! I'd be looking for a WFL 12" or 13" shell and make the set 1 up/2 down.A really excellent job-please put the finished product in the gallery.

Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 62 Threads: 5

From teverson-sr

Using Standard lugs to give a close approximation to the Zephyrs-BRILLIANT! ... A really excellent job-please put the finished product in the gallery.

A BIG 10-4 on that comment Teverson !!!

Matching the Standard Lugs with the Zephyrs Looks Great !!!

I'm going to be refinishing some Natural Mahogny {Brass and Black Badge} Slingerlands _ soon _ so I'd like to pick your brain John, on the refinishing process and products you used on these shells.

Really Well Done _ and with all wooden hoops _ I'll bet they are, just as you describe _ deep sounding, toasty warm, and resonant _ YUMMM !!!

Ohm

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Gemmulmans - Thank you. Yep, I thought the Standards would be a good hit/choice, they look spot-on along-side of the Zephyrs. I have wanted to do this, make an all natural wood finish kit, for the longest time. I finally got to scratch that itch.

Going old-school with the look of a kit like this, was just the right way to go. Clips, wood hoops on wood shells... just too perfect. I'm very happy and satisfied with how they turned out. The real bonus is how great they sound!

BTW, the badges are my place-holder Transition badges made out of stickers! I'll be damned if they don't look like the real thing!

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 966 Threads: 213

Fantastic work. This is very inspiring. Thank you!!!

...
'68 Ludwig Ruby Red Strata
'68 Ludwig Mod Orange
'58 Gretsch Starlight Sparkle
'69 Ludwig Clubdate BDP
'60s Ludwig Clubdate Black Lacquer / Nickel
'67 Trixon Speedfire Red
COB Ludwig Supra
Many projects
Bunch o snares
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

john

great work as always. they look fantastic. in fact, all your kits look great.

let me add that the standard lugs look right at place on those shells.

its neat how one drum can start a desire for a plan. ive got a tranistion badge 10x14 that someone converted to a ride tom. my plans are also to build a kit around it,transition era and older. nice inspiration!

miguel

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

I agree, building a kit around a special drum, or just to save some really nice vintage shells, is a gas. It would be really nice to add an 18" floor tom to the kit. I don't think there are many vintage 18" 3-ply mahogany shells to be had, but if I find one, I'll add it to the kit. It'll round out the big 'bottom end' sound of the kit.

I love orphan kits! Just saved three good drums with this one. Now they are a family and hopefully some young buck will be gigging them 50 years from now.

Pull those project shells out of the closet and turn them into kits. Completing one of these, is as satisfying/gratifying a feeling as one can get. It's a ton of fun too. I'm already looking forward to the next one...

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Coolness! Nice job

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

From blairndrums

Coolness! Nice job

Thank you, Blair.

But... the kit would be a bona-fide [COLOR="Purple"]MONSTER[/COLOR] if it had a 18" second floor tom! Dugga-dugga-[SIZE="2"]BOOM-BOOM[/SIZE], dugga-dugga-[SIZE="3"]BOOM_BOOM[/SIZE], dugga-dugga-[SIZE="4"]BOOM-BOOM![/SIZE]

I smell smoke! I must be 'thinking' again! :p

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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