Early 1950s WFL 'Buddy Rich' "Be-bop" 13x3" in White Marine Pearl

6 lug design

3-ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany shell with reinforcing hoops

This really is a wonderful drum. Not often seen from this era. Usually the 13x3” snares you see are the later Ludwig Jazz Combo 60s versions but both are remarkable and surprisingly very versatile drums.

The white marine pearl wrap is original and is in great condition, but there is a little bit of damage on the panel to the left of the badge. I think this was caused to an old head with a plastic collar that cracked and shattered. The wrap is tucked into the shell plies which looks strange but is completely normal and what Ludwig did when rewrapping.

The drum came in as a bit of a project drum, with lots of parts missing. To get this amazing drum played and to keep costs down, I have fitted a Gibraltar/Dunnett SC-GW845 ‘Beer Tap’ throw and butt which takes the original holes with no drilling required and is much more reliable than the original would have been. The hoops are modern 2.3mm triple flange hoops and the tension rods are also brand new.

The lugs are original and are the solid tapped kind with no inserts. They work great and are built like a tank.

The strainer doesn’t look to have been drilled perfectly in the right place but the drum still sounds incredible.

Freshly stripped, cleaned and polished in my workshop February 2021.

Fitted with unused (but slightly marked) Remo Coated Diplomat and Ambassador Snare Side heads, with brand new Puresound Custom Pro Steel wires.