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1930's WFL Blue / Silver deco Drumset

Posts: 5 Threads: 3

Hello and thanks for this awesome site. I stumbled upon this goldmine of information and am so happy to see a community dedicated to vintage drums.

I have some questions concerning a kit of mine. It's a WFL three-piece set I picked up at a music store in Spokane, Washington a few years ago. It includes a 14' 28' bass drum, a 7' 11' small tom, a 8' 12' large tom, an old 13' Zildjian cymbal with the old pressed on stamp, (instead of the more recent rolled on stamp) a wood block, cowbell, WFL Speed King pedal, Ludwig snare stand and Ludwig hi-hat with a pair of 10' cymbals. (The kit was missing the snare unfortunately but I am hoping to come across one like the 6 1/2' 14' WFL snare shown in the gallery to complete the set.)

My questions are as follows:

1. The kit has the 30's WFL keystone badge with the "William F. Ludwig, President" stamp. So I am assuming it was built in the 30's, If anyone knows the exact year this model was built that would be great.

2. The bass drum is mounted with a U-shaped tom mounting bar that is attached to both sides. The toms clamp to this. Is this a factory part or the previous owner's modification? Because I haven't seen this type of mount on 30's kits.

3. The paint has little cracks in it from age and has some minor chipping in spots. How can I prevent any further damage or suspend the chipping?

4. Where should I look to get the snare to complete this setup?

5. Finally, if anyone knows anything more about the kit, it's approximate value, it's name, or the parts I would love to hear more about it.

Thank you,

Lug

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/buns_ike321/IMG_0104.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/buns_ike321/IMG_0103.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/buns_ike321/IMG_0106.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/buns_ike321/IMG_0105.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 18 years ago
#1
Posts: 3267 Threads: 715

I'm guessing later 30's because of the lugs. What you have are "Zephyr" lugs and they were available for a short time. They were very crudely made and normally do not hold up very well on the threaded ends. Since these lugs did not have any inserts etc., the tension rods screw directly into them.

The picture of your drums looks exactly like the 1939 catalog shot of the "Ray Baudac Bob Cat Outfit" It looks like your set-up should have had three cymbal arms as well. Their is a fine line between many of the sets and what they were named, so there is a likely hood it could have been called something else.

The snare that came with it was a Paramount snare drum and I would gather it will take some time to find one.

Other then that the finish will take its course and there is not much you can do to it except keep it in the correct climate envorinment.

[IMG]http://www.vintagesnaredrums.com/images/forum_images/1939_WFL.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 18 years ago
#2
Posts: 5 Threads: 3

Thank you for the information. It is very helpful, the color catalogue picture is great. Now I have to get to snare and cymbal arm hunting!

Thanks again,

Lug

Posted on 18 years ago
#3
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188

WOW! That's one nice kit, man! Geez! The condition is excellent for something that age, too. Normally, kits like this are waaaaaaay less complete than yours. You have a real treasure there. However it has been stored over all these years would be good information for our readers. Would you please describe how it was stored, where it was found, etc.? Thanks

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 18 years ago
#4
Posts: 5 Threads: 3

Thanks for your interest, the drums came from the original owner in Spokane, Washington. Unfortunately I wasn't able to meet him as he sold them on consignment through a used instrument shop. I remember the clerk said that the kit was purchased by the owner as a kid from a shop in Spokane. The snare stand that came with the kit is inscribed with the "Ludwig" logo and "Winship and Sons Music House, Spokane" so I am pretty sure the kit has stayed in the same area.

As far as how I store it, I keep it in a climate controlled room in my house away from sun and with a sheet over it to repel dust.

Thanks

Lug

Posted on 18 years ago
#5
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