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 - 182.77244%

Can anyone help with identifying my WFL set? Last viewed: 1 hour ago

Posts: 876 Threads: 77

Hello fellow vintage enthusiasts.

I need some expertise from the forum. I am a new member and this is my first post.

I recently bought what was advertised as a Vintage 1958 Ludwig 3 Piece New Yorker Blue Sparkle Drum Kit. According to my wife it is my midlife crisis drum rebuild project, from the year I was born. . . .

When I received the kit I started to take it apart and look at it for date stamps and to do some more research and I got totally confused. I know it is a transition badge era set but from what I can tell (from the forum) the New Yorker set was not made in 1958 and started in 59 (but there is also no 58 catalog that I can find anywhere).

The bass and snare have the WFL brass badge and the bass claws have the WFL imprint, the tom drum has a date stamp of Jan 5 1959 with the blue transition badge. The snare and Bass have no date stamp.

Here are the parts that have me confused that I need your help on.

In looking at the configuration and the hardware on the bass the catalog pictures for the 59 New Yorker shows that it was not configured with:

A 20” bass drum – a 22” was offered

A shell mounted tom holder (Consolette small spade type tom mount)

Disappearing Cymbal mount on the top/center of the bass

Keystone badge on the side of the bass

I have uploaded some pics of all of the drums and a focus on the bass.

Can anyone help me identify the set or give me some more insight into this?

After I figure this part out I will be asking for advice on restoring this set.

I have already bought the WFL pedal, stands, etc. that match the year and even some Ludwig Paiste Cymbals !

Thanks !

CTMichaelV

No Guru - I just love collecting & learning about vintage drums!

Some of my favorites from the kits in the collection
58 WFL New Yorker Blue Sparkle
67 Ludwig Hollywood Red Psychedelic
69 Ludwig Standard Red Ruby Strata
70's Ludwig BOP "Ringo" Kit

A few of my favorite snares
20's Leedy Black Elite
51 Leedy & Ludwig Knob Tension
58 WFL Buddy Rich Classic Blue Sparkle
63 Walberg & Auge Sea Blue Agave Green Pearl
66 Leedy Shelly Manne Blue Agate Pearl
Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

There isn't a 58 wfl catalog, Catalogs are a good reference but they aren't the end all to drums. With this being a trans era kit Ludwig would use up any leftover badges hardware etc to get a kit out. play it and enjoy it,

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: 6432 Threads: 290

From vintagemore2000

There isn't a 58 wfl catalog, Catalogs are a good reference but they aren't the end all to drums. With this being a trans era kit Ludwig would use up any leftover badges hardware etc to get a kit out. play it and enjoy it,

Welcome to VDF!

Mark the last five words from your response are good ones!


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

congrats and welcome, that would be the traveler outfit! in 61 cat .with a 14x22 , a 12x 22 would be a new yorker, with the super classic snare, as far as the cymbals go it would be zildjian A's that would be correct. its looks to be very nice original no extra holes just clean it up new heads and play it ...early 1400 hardware would work as with a speed king pedal, the finish looks to be blue pearl, they would be African mahogany shells,,,gary Mark you noticed were the badge placement is kinda off center ?

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 1345 Threads: 175

Below is a photo of my WFL 20" Bass drum and a scan from a mid 50's catalog. The 20" bass drum was an innovation at the time. My bass drum is much like yours with factory installed disappearing cymbal arm and the badge which is not in the 12 o'clock position, but one panel over. It also has 8 lugs per side and fold down spurs. Not to mention it sounds great. My rail consolette is almost in the 3 o'clock position which isn't very practical for tom positioning, but I can manage with it. I wish I had a 12" tom with this outfit, but I have a 13". Not too bad though. Great drums! Enjoy them. They sound wonderful with a nice dark, low end punch that you seem to get with mahogany interiors. I'm assuming the transition badge era was still the mahogany era. Great shells!

Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 617 Threads: 7

I have a WFL New Yorker set. They did make them in 1958.

Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

I have never seen a Ludwig or WFL with the badge in that spot. Anybody else ? Makes no sense to put it there....

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

From Chromeo

Below is a photo of my WFL 20" Bass drum and a scan from a mid 50's catalog. The 20" bass drum was an innovation at the time. My bass drum is much like yours with factory installed disappearing cymbal arm and the badge which is not in the 12 o'clock position, but one panel over. It also has 8 lugs per side and fold down spurs. Not to mention it sounds great. My rail consolette is almost in the 3 o'clock position which isn't very practical for tom positioning, but I can manage with it. I wish I had a 12" tom with this outfit, but I have a 13". Not too bad though. Great drums! Enjoy them. They sound wonderful with a nice dark, low end punch that you seem to get with mahogany interiors. I'm assuming the transition badge era was still the mahogany era. Great shells!

My eyes trick me a lot,....What`s holding that tom ??

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

From OddBall

My eyes trick me a lot,....What`s holding that tom ??

Ha!...... was wondering the same thing!

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 10 years ago
#9
Posts: 1345 Threads: 175

From OddBall

My eyes trick me a lot,....What`s holding that tom ??

Oh that? That's nothing, just a little pixie dust. LoLoLoLo

Just kidding. It's a hoop mounted Ludwig tom holder. One of these babies..

1 attachment
hoopmount.jpg
8 kB
Posted on 10 years ago
#10
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here