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1952 Ludwig Question Last viewed: 2 hours ago

Posts: 102 Threads: 11

Hello All,

I usually spend most of my time in the non-USA section of this forum - hopefully I'm welcome here as well!

I have an opportunity to purchase a set of 1952 Ludwig WMP drums and I have a few questions because I just don't know them as well as some other makes and I know this is where the experts are.

The kit has been in the same family since purchased new in 1952.

It is a 4 piece kit. It even still has a couple of calfskin heads on it. Club date style floor tom and clamp-on kick drum legs.

Here are some of my concerns:

2 of the badges match for 1952 according to the badges listed here on VDF, but the other 2 are more of a silver colour, although identical in every other way. Is it possible to have mixed badges?

There are no date stamps or anything visible inside the shell. All are natural wood finish with re-rings top and bottom. What year did dating begin?

The WMP is quite yellow, but nicely even and all drum seem to be at the same stage. Apparently this kit gigged alot in the 50's and 60's. Does yellowing hurt the value significantly on these drums?

Like a newbie, I forgot to measure the sizes, but I believe they are 22, 12, 16 and 14x5 snare. Hardware is all present except for the snare throwoff knob and the tom mounting L-arm. The only loose or damaged wrap is some tom rash on top of the kick.

Can anyone chime in and give me an opinion on value? I know, pictures! I will try to upload something soon.

Thanks for any and all help!

Bryan

1985 Tama Superstar piano black (original owner)
85-86 Tama Superstar piano white
early 60's Trixon Luxus champagne
mid 60's Star WMP
early 70's Star 'silky blue'
early 70's Stewart metallic blue
early 70's Stewart psychedelic lava pearl
late 60's Coronet bronze strata
late 60's Coronet blue diamond pearl
2004 Arbiter Flats Pro
early 70's Stewart Fantasia pearl
early 70's Star blue satin flame
early 70's Star jet black double kick kit
Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Bryan, without pics all guessing here, The Badges your describing sound like the gold and also the silver WFL badges. They could be an all original drumset. If you are able to buy them do so !

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 2010 Threads: 19

The current Ludwig company didn't come into being until around 1955 when the Ludwig family bought the rights to their name back and changed the name of their company (WFL) to the "Ludwig Drum Co". Prior to that the name had belonged to Conn since the late 20's and they sold drums under the "Ludwig & Ludwig" brand. Conn also had bought out Leedy and sold them as a separate brand. In the early 50's Conn combined the two into one brand that was badged as "Leedy & Ludwig".

I bring all this up because there were no "Ludwig" badged drums in 1952,they would read "Leedy & Ludwig". Ludwig badges from prior to then should say "Ludwig and Ludwig". The Ludwigs themselves were selling WFLs.

Do the badges on this set just say "Ludwig"? Are they keystone shaped. If so the drums would likely be from 1958 or later (that's when the name of the actual drum brand changed from "WFL" to "Ludwig")? Or were you simply using "Ludwig" has shorthand for whatever the badges do say (WFL for example)?

Not trying to be a smarty pants if you already knew all that...just trying to help you figure out what they are without having a picture to look at.

Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 102 Threads: 11

Thanks K.O.

Sorry, I didn't represent the badges properly. They do say "WFL".

Here is a picture of one of the 'gold' badges. It's a little loose. The 'silver' badges are exactly the same, just more of a silver colour.

Also a picture of the floor tom.

1985 Tama Superstar piano black (original owner)
85-86 Tama Superstar piano white
early 60's Trixon Luxus champagne
mid 60's Star WMP
early 70's Star 'silky blue'
early 70's Stewart metallic blue
early 70's Stewart psychedelic lava pearl
late 60's Coronet bronze strata
late 60's Coronet blue diamond pearl
2004 Arbiter Flats Pro
early 70's Stewart Fantasia pearl
early 70's Star blue satin flame
early 70's Star jet black double kick kit
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Thanks, have no worries they are legit !

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 102 Threads: 11

Can anyone give me an idea of fair pricing for a kit of this era? Because I can't get a detailed pic of the set, let's just say in 'medium' or 'fair' condition. No cymbals, just the shell kit.

Need to get an idea of fair value so a range is still very helpful.

Thanks

Bryan

1985 Tama Superstar piano black (original owner)
85-86 Tama Superstar piano white
early 60's Trixon Luxus champagne
mid 60's Star WMP
early 70's Star 'silky blue'
early 70's Stewart metallic blue
early 70's Stewart psychedelic lava pearl
late 60's Coronet bronze strata
late 60's Coronet blue diamond pearl
2004 Arbiter Flats Pro
early 70's Stewart Fantasia pearl
early 70's Star blue satin flame
early 70's Star jet black double kick kit
Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Bryan, the mounted tom is probably a 9x13" if you can get them for under1k that would be a very good price.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 76 Threads: 0

Bryan, the 2 drums you have pictured appear to be early to mid 50's WFL's and in nice condition (complete with nickel-plated lugs & rims.) The floor tom isn't of the Club Date line, though. If the rest of the set is comparable, I would say $800-$1100 would be a fair selling point.

MarkE

Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226

Bryan,

I see the set you are looking at...From the pic, it looks like a great set...I`m with VM2K...See if you can score it for 1000-1100...

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 10 years ago
#9
Posts: 2023 Threads: 47

Club Date style *legs on the floor tom.

I'm jealous! :)

Mitch

Posted on 10 years ago
#10
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