Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 168.14196%

1947 WFL Buddy Rich Drum Set

Posts: 164 Threads: 47

Ok...so i lied about promising to not ever again buy/trade/sell vintage drums in this life time or any other...but this was a good reason...listen up now my fine-fellow-vintage-drum-junkies...7-10 years ago,i was...YOU GUESSED IT...BUYIN/TRADIN/SELLIN...VINTAGE DRUMS and im my travels i managed to come across a very nice WHITE MARINE PEARL kit w/a 26" kick,13'tom-tom,and 16" floor (w/no bearing edges) Adorning keystone WFL badges! And upon looking in the great Rob Cook Ludwig Book,i was suprised to find that looking in the "outfits" section this is infact a 1947-1949 Buddy Rich configuration/kit!!! Like most of my kits in the past/present/future i try to never get attached and needed bucks quick for...you guessed it...ANOTHER VINTAGE DRUMSET!!! So off these went to a good trusted drummer buddy(who i knew would never play them and worships my opinion:p)...With the promise that if he ever needs/wants to sell these beauties, he would CALL ME FIRST...so i waited...and waited...AND WAITED...and had plenty of sellers remorse as the years crept by knowing these drums where gaining popularity and monitary value...FINALLY...in our current California rescession...he called out of desperation,needing money,so...i took pitty on him...and ...traded him:p (what a pal i am,right,but he did get my bonham kitClapping Happy2) What Karma right...THEN...just a week later...in the local CL adds...for only $100...a matching wmp buddy rich snare!!! THE DRUM GODS STRIKE AGAIN!!! Who says confession after 20 years of touring dosent pay offLaughing H!!!

Enjoy and may all your vintage drum wishes and dreams come trueYes Sir

1 attachment
br47wl.jpg
58.8 kB
Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 2409 Threads: 55

Very nice... especially with the 14X26 bass drum. Here are a couple of my 1948 WFL Buddy Rich Super Classic's. These feature the aluminum WFL badges, and complete hardware. The snare drum is also a 1948 WFL Buddy Rich Model Super Classic and also has the aluminum badge. I have gigged these a number of times. They play/sound GREAT!

Tommyp

Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 164 Threads: 47

From Tommyp

Very nice... especially with the 14X26 bass drum. Here are a couple of my 1948 WFL Buddy Rich Super Classic's. These feature the aluminum WFL badges, and complete hardware. The snare drum is also a 1948 WFL Buddy Rich Model Super Classic and also has the aluminum badge. I have gigged these a number of times. They play/sound GREAT!Tommyp

Thanks Tommy...QUESTION...Do your badges sport a funny,slightly oversized,nickel/or/silver type grommet too? Its also really nice having 3 kits(my other WFL being a 1 year 1949 Ray McKennly in big pattern blk diamond pearl 24"kick,13,16,w/bongos),all WFL,and all factory virgin bass drums (i mean not even legs drilled,just lugs/breather/badge hole) and no other junk to stifle those sweet WFL mahogany tones...and i dont know about you,but smooth heads seem to work the best for me on these drums...give it a shot unless you dig already:2Cents:

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 2409 Threads: 55

Hey brain!...

The grommets on mine are quite aged brass, possibly steel... not aluminum or nickel. After 63 years of age the brass is certainly not shiney, and actually looks pale against the aluminum WFL badge's, but they are original OEM and never messed with.

You mention "stifle those sweet WFL mahogany tones"... well, even with the proper Buddy Rich configuration.. ( ride "L", splash "L", rail consolette ) .. on mine, the drums speak beautifully as only 3 plies w/rings can. Whereas my 1965 Rogers Buddy Rich Celebrity's speak in a slightly clearer tone/area.. ( the difference being in the shells of course ) .. these WFL's possess what I admiringly call "the WFL three ply thud"... yet with plenty of tone. Indeed. Regarding your head suggestion:

This is a completely subjective area with way too many factor's involved, such as: What type/style of music are you playing... what type of impact do you play with... do you play brushes... what volume levels are you regularly performing at... what types of venue's... etc. That said, I am more than satisfied with my personal head selection/type on all my vintage drums, and "smooth heads" aren't part of the equation... for me. On your drums though, GREAT!! Whatever personally works for the individual drummer! Personally, I never suggest head types to anyone for the very reason's mentioned prior. I think at this stage most guys have a good bead on what type sound and performance from a drumhead they're looking for. But I do applaud your enthusiasim!

Tommyp

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here