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%

1948 WFL/Buddy Rich Classics Last viewed: 6 hours ago

Posts: 2408 Threads: 55

Here is a shot of my ALL ORIGINAL 1948 WFL Buddy Rich Classic kit. This pic was taken at a gig in very low stage-light, thus it is a tad grainy. Here are some of the particulars on this kit:

Sizes: Standard BR set-up in WMP

14X24

9X13

16X16

16X16

51/2X14

Being that this is the BR Classic model, the kit features ALL chrome hardware. Nickel was the norm back then, but Chrome was reserved for the upper end kits and/or could be requested at a small extra charge.

ALL drums are wide open and not drilled for tone controls/mufflers... just as Buddy would have wanted! The wrap is of course WMP and it is all original and in incredible condition given it's 58 year old age! All the drum shells are near flawless inside/out... all the maple rings are just as nice. Chrome is in amazing condition with just the smallest amount of "pin-point" pitting here and there... so small the camera can't even pick it up. Of interest,

The badges are ALL Aluminum... not brass. These were a left over from WWII when the drum companies couldn't use brass in their manufacturing, or at least, very little. These badges make this kit all the rarer. I haven't seen many WFL kits from this era this complete and with Aluminum badges. Both "L" arms/mounts are present and original as is the WFL "Clipper" tom mount and "Clipper" floor tom legs. I believe that 1948 was the 1st year the "Clipper" tom mount was available... and it does make a MAJOR difference in the positioning/playability of the rack tom! This tom mount went on to become and be referred to as the "Rail Consolette", which EVERY American drum company used for a while!

The front head logo/shield is painted, not vinyl. Just as it was back in '48!

And lastly: They play/sound FABULOUS!!! :-) And this is coming from a devout Rogers guy! Buddy stayed with WFL/Ludwig from 1946 to 1959, and then left to go with Rogers!

Tommyp

DUE TO REPEATED REQUESTS... MORE PICS A FEW POSTS DOWN. Thanks guys!!! I appreciate all the nice comments!!!

TP

1 attachment
1948wfl_brclassic1small.jpg
47.2 kB
Posted on 18 years ago
#1
Posts: 353 Threads: 56

Gorgeous. Do you use them in a big band setting?

Gary

Dix Hills, NY

http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/sabshga/

http://www.myspace.com/garysabshon

Posted on 18 years ago
#2
Posts: 2444 Threads: 288

Tommy, a truly gorgeous kit!! Kudos to you!!

Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Posted on 18 years ago
#3
Posts: 2408 Threads: 55

THANKS! for the nice words guys! Glad you like the kit! It is quite a piece.

I didn't go into detail on my resto/cleaning etc. on this, but it was in pretty nice shape to start with, so it wasn't a major butt kicker to get in shape. The end result is what you see here. Anyway,

I'm working on re-sizing some other pics taken at this particular gig, and when they are set I will post 'em up here. I have some other angles which will show the COMPLETE kit.

Gary: Amazingly, I haven't played these with a Big Band... and man, you KNOW they would smoke that up!! I HAVE gigged on these with a Jazz Quartet... ( Yes! It can easily be done with the proper respect given to volume and touch. Brushes sound great!, and you can just "feather" the bass drum. ) ... These particular shots were taken backing a 6 piece band at a very large event with over 500 people in attendence. There was a professional sound/light company, and the drums were miked with just two mikes, an overhead and a bass drum. The sound guy handling the main mix for the room was absolutely blown away with these drums. He was extremely complimentary... and you know, a lot of times these guys never say anything. I was very pleased and flattered at the same time!

Thanks again for the comments guys!

Tommyp

Posted on 18 years ago
#4
Posts: 299 Threads: 27

And yet again Tommyp makes my jealous side kick in! :p Very,very,very nice kit Tommy. In of course WMP they look great! you are one lucky guy. Out of curiosity do you still have that BR Headliner kicking around or did you sell it?

Harrison
Posted on 18 years ago
#5
Posts: 2408 Threads: 55

Hey Bebop!

Certainly wasn't my intention to make you jealous! :-) Thanks for the kind words, and glad you like 'em! I have posted the rest of the pics in the "Vintage Drums" section... and added them here for you to view as well. I have to say,

After playing nothing but Rogers for years, it took a little while for me to get used to the WFL/Ludwig 3 ply "thud" as I like to call it. But, they grew on me! At a mere three plies you can well imagine that the fundamental on these drums is in a LOW area... but with plenty of tone I must say. The bass drum is just very impressive... a lot of that comes from the thin shells, and the 24" diameter ain't hurtin' either!

Regarding my 1966 Rogers Buddy Rich Headliners: Interesting story on those:

Yes, I did sell them... but no, I still have them. How can that be you ask? The guy that I agreed to sell them to ... ( and a friend of mine as well! ) ... was all set to send me the payment when I changed my mind. I guess at that point I wasn't ready to let them go... I thought I was ... but I wasn't. To his credit, he understood completely, and we still remain good friends. Some more time has passed though, and again I'm entertaining letting them go... I will KEEP my 1965 Rogers BR Celebrities and the 1948 WFL BR Classic's, but let the '66 Rogers BR Headliner's go as well as the Slingerland's. At least that's what I'm thinking at this point anyway.

Tommyp

PS: Hey Mike! Check out picture number 3 in this sequence. That's the best view of the two 16X16 WFL floor toms. Thanks for your interest!

Tommyp

Posted on 18 years ago
#6
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here