New Ludwig - What kind?

[spike_drummer999]

Also posted in the snare section, but it's vintage too.

I just got this snare seriously no more than 10 minutes ago. Kinda random. I gave it a quick inspection and it looks to be good. I know it's Ludwig, but I don't know what kind it is though. It's not steel. Magnets don't stick to it. I'm thinking it could be chrome over brass. I'll check here shortly after I tear it appart, clean it, and re-tune it. If it is, I'll be amazed for the price I got it. Super cheap. So, my main question is, is this Ludwig, or WFL? The throwoff says WFL. Thanks for the help:

Pictures (taken quickly):
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7572/dscf00016bw.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2457/dscf00022ub.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/787/dscf00031rx.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7139/dscf00041do.jpg

[ihaveaglassjaw]

It looks like aluminum to me.

[TamaDrummer88]

I think its an acrolite. WFL is initials for William F. Ludwig.

[TamaDrummer88]

L & L came first, starting in 1909 and continuing through 1949. In 1930, the company was sold by William F. Ludwig Sr. to C.G. Conn LTD for $1,000,000 in Conn stock.

In 1936, Bill Ludwig resigned from the company to start his second drum company. He cashed in his stock which was then worth only $100,000 and started the William F. Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago. Conn's attorneys threatened to sue, so Bill Sr. decided to use his initials- WFL. And that company grew enough that in 1955, it was able to spend $90,000 to buy back the assets it had sold for $1,000,000 a quarter of a century before.

[bigtone23]

Thats an aluminum WFL Acrolite-an amazing drum-seamless shell, quasi rare P-83 strainer. Having a keystone Acro is cool and desired, but this being a WFL makes it even more desirable! Great sounding (and high $ selling) era of Acros, congrats!

[spike_drummer999]

I was told that this snare is a '60s acrolite. Apparently with the new formation of Ludwig (and just ludwig) they dipped into the warehouse that was stocked with WFL parts from the '30s. I still don't know exactly what it is, but at least I have a better idea. Maybe email Ludwig, or would that be pointless?

Thanks everyone!

[bobthesalesclerk]

Definitly a 60s Acrolite.

[bonzonerd]

Definitly a 60s Acrolite.
That's what it is.

[CARL PETERSON]

First off..there SHOULD be a date stamped inside..Second, the badge is 60's and the strainer is 50s..It's an Acrolite..(student type drum)..Usually came with a case,stand,rubber pad,sticks and book. This one is an 8 lugger which is more desirable than the 6 lugger. Probably brass. Chances are, the strainer broke at some point, and the cat that owned it was smart enough to find a strainer that fit without drilling the shell..These drums usually bring around 100.00 US. Some less,some more, depending on the condition of course..

Hope this helps..

CP

[spike_drummer999]

Thanks Carl! All my questions have been answered now. :D

It's in great shape and in better condition than my other acrolite, so I'm going to get rid of the other one and the stand that came with it.

[CARL PETERSON]

You're welcome man..Those drums are highly favored by my partner in crime Gene Okamoto.. ;)

PS..Use "GOOF OFF" to get that sticky tape goo off of the shell..You can find it at Wal Mart etc... :D

[erwinner]

that's a '60s Acrolite. I have a prototype to that drum in my avatar. Spun aluminum (ludalloy) shell, no seam. Later models got the duller grey finish. Yours is the more desirable earlier version. My prototype was made in '62, so yours is between '63 and '69, when they went to the parallelogram badge. (really it's between, I believe, '65 and '67 with the baseball bat muffler (post '62 pre-'67) and the white pad on it, not red (post 65)) the original strainer to that drum would have been a p-83 just like the current one, but with the ludwig script logo instead of the WFL logo. No biggie, as there is no new holes needed to swap between them. Or between the newer p-85 and p-87. The shell is most definately aluminum, not brass, but it's probably worth between $100 on a really bad day and $200 on a really good day. My acrolite has a seam and a plate welded under the lugs, as well as originally having come with aluminum lugs and rims, though they were replaced with steel. I found out mine in perfect condition would fetch over $500! BTW the shells of the seamless, spun acrolites are the exact same shells as on the supraphonic 400. And ludwig has never made a single one of them. they've been outsourced since day one. The only difference between an acro and a supra 400 is the number of lugs (8 on the acro, 10 on a supra) the style of lug, bowtie vs. imperial, and the finish of the drum, natural/grey/now black sparkley vs. chrome on the 400. great drum!

[greggp]

If you were of a mind to, you could pick up a used P-85 and put it on that snare and try selling the WFL P-83 on eBay. You might be ahead a few bucks. The P-85 will fit perfectly.

I suggest you put a 20 strand Dynamicx snare on that drum. They are amazing snares - a bit more lively than a Puresound.

If an Aquarian will fit (they don't always) put on a Satin Finish batter. For the reso side, I suggest you use a Ludwig snare head. Second choice, Aquarian (if it fits) and third a Remo.

[erwinner]

I've got a evans genera hd dry and a hazy 300 on my acro and it's my go-to more often than my 402 with power center/hazy 300 or my 400 with a coated ambassador top/clear snare side. I've got original snappy snares and love the brightness of them.

[Bowser]

My middle school had a couple of those. They were cool.

[DED]

Like everyone said. . .you've got a 60's era Acrolite. I recently received one in horrible condition and cleaned it up. I used it for the first time this weekend and it is just a fantastic sounding drum.