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WMP WFL Piccolo Snare

Posts: 3165 Threads: 969

I've actually had a little free time lately to update a catalog that I've put together, which contains information on the vintage snare drums in my private collection, which is pretty meager when compared to the "serious" collectors out there.

Some time ago I picked up a WMP Piccolo Snare Drum in a 13 x 3 configuration with a silver WFL Keystone Badge on it. I don't have much information on this particular drum, although I've been told that there's a Buddy Rich connection somehow and that the particular "throw" on it is somewhat unique. I've asked the WebMaster to post a couple pics so that you can see what I've got in front of me.

I'd like to accurately document ANY AND ALL information regarding this particular snare drum and am hoping that you "experts" out there will be kind enough to provide me with what I need.

I'm trying to find out the correct model name for this one, the year it might have been manufactured, and whether or not it appears to be in its original state in regard to the shell and hardware currently on the drum. I did notice that the wrap actually goes into the wood on the interior of the shell, which I hope indicates that it's the original finish.

If anyone can give me a ballpark estimate of what this one might be worth to a collector or a player, that would also be appreciated.

As usual, I thank you all for your time and input regarding this particular piece.D' Drummer

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Posted on 16 years ago
#1
Posts: 2406 Threads: 55

OldSchool!...

Tommyp here... and!... is this it? First drum, top left: http://vintagesnaredrums.com/other_collection_tommy_p_tommy_index.html

Actually, I know this is the drum you speak of, and this one is the 1st drum in my Buddy Rich snare drum collection. Have a look and click on the drum! If you are interested, I can certainly fill in some of the blanks for you!

Tommyp

Posted on 16 years ago
#2
Posts: 3165 Threads: 969

TommyP:

Geez................ that was quick!

Yes, this appears to be the identical drum OTHER THAN the fact that the one I've got has a SILVER WFL Keystone Badge in lieu of a GOLD WFL Keystone Badge.

You are "the master!"

By the way........... I can't believe the collection you've got.

Flat out GORGEOUS!!!!!!!

Thanks!

OldSchoolCool

Posted on 16 years ago
#3
Posts: 2406 Threads: 55

OldSchool!...

First, THANKS for the nice words regarding my BR snare drum collection... and glad you liked it! The collection is quite focused on the proper year/model/wrap that Buddy was using at the time... thus it's just about entirely WMP! ( my favorite wrap anyway... and that was DUE to Buddy! )

Here's a little thumbnail sketch on your drum: The 1st year of manufacture for the 3X13 Buddy Rich Be-Bop was 1949. The fact that YOURS has the aluminum badge would certainly suggest it's year to be '49... BUT! ... WFL was still using the brass WFL badge in '49 too!... ( as mine is ) ... so it can get confusing. The kit shown in my "avatar" is my 1948 WFL Buddy Rich Classic's, and all of those drums have the aluminum badge's too. That kit is all original and in KILLER condition... and as an added plus they play/sound great too, which is quite a testimony coming from a DEVOUT Rogers guy! I HAD to buy 'em though as they were the Buddy Rich model and in WMP... nuff said there! :-) Anyway,

The pearl that is "tucked in" on the inner ply tells that your drum is ORIGINAL and hasn't been messed with. The strainer/throw is what was referred to as "The Beer-Tap Strainer", although it's real name is the "Be-Bop Combo Strainer". Neat little item and it works very well too! Last item of interest are the lugs:

WFL/Ludwig actually had a hard time with these, well, it was actually the drummer's who had a hard time with those. They are machined out of SOLID metal with NO INSERT, the tension rod threads striaght into the threaded lug. Becuase of this, a LOT of these lugs were ruined due to cross-threading of the tension rod, and were rendered useless... or replaced! Tension is/was also a concern as the lug is SMALL!, and isn't able to distribute high tension across the shell without warping it. Nice little drum, but... one must practice CARE when changing heads, tuning, etc.

I actually like mine as it has a nice tone for a 3 ply w/rings snare drum... course the small shell had a bit to do with that, and it doesn't really require HIGH TENSION to get it in a nice area. The beds however are DEEP... so much so that one must tension UP to get the head to lay/seat properly. But done with care/gently, the reward is a nice, amazing articulate, very "woody" little drum! By the way: YES!... Buddy did play it!!!

What is it worth: These always seem to carry a nice price tag... a lot of times in the $475.00 and up area. I have seen really CLEAN examples go $600.00! I have to add that the WMP helps the price right along too. I'm looking forward to viewing yours!

Tommyp

Posted on 16 years ago
#4
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

Here is the rarer 4x14 Buddy Rich Piccolo...

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Posted on 16 years ago
#5
Posts: 2406 Threads: 55

vadrums!...

Yup... gotta agree with you there. The 4X14 with these particular lugs and the "Beer-Tap" strainer are pretty rare. You hardly ever see one! Buddy requested the 3X13, and that's the one he actually played... although for not that long of a period. The 4X14 was brought out at the same time, but you always see the 3X13, not the 4X14, well, at least until 1951 when the 4X14 was renamed "The Compacto"... still with the same lugs/ strainer! Nice drum!

Tommyp

Posted on 16 years ago
#6
Posts: 2406 Threads: 55

Thought you guys might want to see the inside of a '49 WFL 3X13 Buddy Rich Be-Bop snare drum. This one is mine and it's in PRISTINE condition. ALL ORIGINAL including the wires. Click on the pic for a larger view... ENJOY!!

Tommyp

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Posted on 16 years ago
#7
Posts: 3165 Threads: 969

TommyP:

The pic of the interior shell of your 13 x 3 is immaculate -- NO SURPRISE AT ALL, based on the collection of yours that I was fortunate enough to view earlier today. The interior of mine is in really excellent condition also.

I do have a few questions for you, if I may:

Did all the 13 x 3s of this vintage come from the factory with mufflers installed? I ask since I've seen a significant amount without mufflers on the 13 x 3s. Mine doesn't have one. I noticed that all of the 14 x 4s that I've seen do seem to have mufflers.

The muffler on yours resembles a Harold R. Dodd muffler that was found on vintage Slingerland's from the 30s & 40s. Is yours original to the drum?

THANKS in advance for your time!Mallet Player2

Posted on 16 years ago
#8
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

I would think it was added later...My 4x14 does not have a muffler and neither do any of my 3x13's.

Posted on 16 years ago
#9
Posts: 2406 Threads: 55

OldSchool and vadrums!...

The answer to your query is... NO! This particular model DID NOT originally come from the factory with a tone control/muffler... but as vadrums has mentioned, they were added later. Here's the interesting part:

The music store that sold the drum almost always installed the tone control for the customer at their request. Because of this practice, a lot of times tone controls weren't from the manufacturer that built the drum! This is why we see, for lack of a better term, "different parts" on these drums from time to time. It was quite a common practice.

OldSchool: To answer your question on the tone control itself... it IS a Ludwig tone control, and it dates to 1938! It is the tone control that was on the drum when I found it... ( and I have had the drum for many years now ) ... and after doing some investigating/research, I found out about the music store practice of the dealers installing these when they were requested by the customer. This particular tone control is just the 2nd design that WFL/Ludwig used as it directly followed their 1935 design. It does indeed look quite a bit like the Harold R. Dodd tone control/muffler... so who knows... another instance of Slingerland/Ludwig "borrowing" of design/technology? Fascinating stuff!

Tommyp

Posted on 16 years ago
#10
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