Why are these spurs here?

[Batterhead]

OK, Let me ask the people who might really know.....
Most if not all bass drums I see have the spurs towards the reso end. I've never been able to figure out why MY bass has them towards the batter side.
Was this just the way Ludwig did it on the 1948 - 1952 WFL's?

[MIKEY777]

You have your bass drum set up wrong.If you were looking at the front of your set now,way you have it set-up now,you have it set up as for a Right side player,but if you turn your bass drum around with the spur's facing out the right way your set was made for a left side player not a right side player..mikey

[Batterhead]

Yeah, that's what I always thought, because there is some snare rash on the front side of the tom. But, if you were to take that pedal off and put it on the front (reso) side of the bass, wouldn't that put the tom rail consolette way out of reach of a lefty?

[mcjnic]

That hotdog and spur set are placed contrary to the usual locations. Were they added after the fact? Do you have the Complete history of the kit?

[Tommyp]

Batterhead!...

I would highly suspect that those spurs were added AFTER the fact on your set. I have a complete set of 1948 WFL "Buddy Rich Classics" in WMP and the spurs during those years.. ( 1940 to 1952 ) .. are the hoop mount variety, usually the #313 model. WFL/Ludwig stayed with the hoop mount varieties until 1955 or so. The folding model spurs on your drum... ( #1305 ) ... didn't come in until 1955. However!... your drums could have indeed come with those if they are 55's or slightly later. Still, it is extremely odd that WFL/Ludwig would have mounted them in that particular spot at the factory. I still think they were mounted at a later date. I'll attach a picture of my 48's for you to view. Pardon the low stage light as it took out my cymbals, but they're there! Personally, I think I would hunt down a pair of the WFL/Ludwig #313's and just fold yours against the shell. On the other hand, you've been playing your drums this way for a long time and they are fine in function!. It's just aesthetics. Nice drums! Kudos for keeping and actively playing them for that length of time!

Tommyp

[lucky]

I am not the biggest fan of BDP but those tubs look real cool!

[teverson-sr]

I vote clip-ons AND fold-outs!Nice drums,by the way.

[drumbum3131]

Gosh...there's the beauty!!


Batterhead!...

I would highly suspect that those spurs were added AFTER the fact on your set. I have a complete set of 1948 WFL "Buddy Rich Classics" in WMP and the spurs during those years.. ( 1940 to 1952 ) .. are the hoop mount variety, usually the #313 model. WFL/Ludwig stayed with the hoop mount varieties until 1955 or so. The folding model spurs on your drum... ( #1305 ) ... didn't come in until 1955. However!... your drums could have indeed come with those if they are 55's or slightly later. Still, it is extremely odd that WFL/Ludwig would have mounted them in that particular spot at the factory. I still think they were mounted at a later date. I'll attach a picture of my 48's for you to view. Pardon the low stage light as it took out my cymbals, but they're there! Personally, I think I would hunt down a pair of the WFL/Ludwig #313's and just fold yours against the shell. On the other hand, you've been playing your drums this way for a long time and they are fine in function!. It's just aesthetics. Nice drums! Kudos for keeping and actively playing them for that length of time!

Tommyp

[vintagemore2000]

Batterhead!...

I would highly suspect that those spurs were added AFTER the fact on your set. I have a complete set of 1948 WFL "Buddy Rich Classics" in WMP and the spurs during those years.. ( 1940 to 1952 ) .. are the hoop mount variety, usually the #313 model. WFL/Ludwig stayed with the hoop mount varieties until 1955 or so. The folding model spurs on your drum... ( #1305 ) ... didn't come in until 1955. However!... your drums could have indeed come with those if they are 55's or slightly later. Still, it is extremely odd that WFL/Ludwig would have mounted them in that particular spot at the factory. I still think they were mounted at a later date. I'll attach a picture of my 48's for you to view. Pardon the low stage light as it took out my cymbals, but they're there! Personally, I think I would hunt down a pair of the WFL/Ludwig #313's and just fold yours against the shell. On the other hand, you've been playing your drums this way for a long time and they are fine in function!. It's just aesthetics. Nice drums! Kudos for keeping and actively playing them for that length of time!

Tommyptommy it would of been the 1305's or the 1301's the 1301's are what is on my wfl's!

[Batterhead]

Thanks Tommyp and Mcjnic, Tommyp, that is one real impressive kit! Always wanted to get that second FT.

You are both probably correct.

I very vaguely remember that when I got that kit way back then, I had to adjust the tom mount. The things that confuse me (though that's not too difficult a task) are the presence of some snare rash on the (now) front of the 9x13 tom, But the batter head on the 14x22 bass was always the batter head, and the front hoop does not seem to show any sign of ever having a pedal attached, or, clamp on spurs for that matter.

The spurs on this BD don't even have a wing nut to secure the spurs, instead, there is a hex nut. Not very convienent, but I have long put up with it. I just leave it semi-tight, and rotate the spurs out against the friction.

When I recently (for the first time ever) disassembled the kit to restore it, I did find a Slingerland washer used in the BD. It was on one of the bolts for the cymbal "L" arm holder. All the other washers read WFL. So it does appear that at some point in the distant past someone was in there.

Like you said though, it really does not matter. The kit has alot of hours of enjoyment on it, sounds great, and has never failed me.

The BD does creep on me badly (I tend to have a heavy bass foot), probaby should have put an anchor up front, but I solved that years ago by making up a length of speaker wire with a loop at each end, one end over the right side "T" rod around the throne, and other end over the left side "T" rod. If it creeps then...well, I can simply sell my car, and drive my kit.

BTW, I came up with the 1948 - 1952 birth date for this kit from information gleaned from this site, matching up with the kit badges.

[Musicaldeath]

The BD does creep on me badly (I tend to have a heavy bass foot), probaby should have put an anchor up front, but I solved that years ago by making up a length of speaker wire with a loop at each end, one end over the right side "T" rod around the throne, and other end over the left side "T" rod. If it creeps then...well, I can simply sell my car, and drive my kit.


That is friggin brilliant! Why did I never think of that?! Clapping Happy2

Love the kit as well BDP is definitely my favorite finishCool1

[Tommyp]

Batterhead!...

First, THANKS for the nice words on my '48 WFL BR Classic's. The badges are aluminum on this set, hence the earlier build date, plus of course the lack of shell mounted spurs as they didn't exist yet, which brings us back nicely to...

Based on your last post I have to say that the shell mounted spurs on your set were most certainly added after the fact as again, shell mounts didn't even come in until 1955 regardless of model. So that said, I think I would keep an eye open for a set of WFL or even Leedy hoop mount spurs as a pair of those would be "correct" for your set... and ... STOP the creep you are suffering from with regard to your bass drum, although your fix does indeed work!, but proper spurs would be better. Again though, none of this really matters as they are YOUR drums!, to be played as you like! I must add:

I have the original hoop mount spurs that came with my WFL BR Classic's... but ... all they really do is stabilize the bass drum side to side even though they are mounted in the front... soooo... I grabbed a set of beautiful Leedy hoop mount spurs as they have a SHARP POINT on the bottom.. ( so sharp they could be used as a weapon! LOL! ) .. and that eliminated any and all bass drum creep instantly. This could be another option for you and would eliminate the cord wrapped around your throne. Just a thought!

Tommyp

[Rich K.]

If you look at some real early drum set photos...mostly the ones with one large bass and a Chinese tom, drummers would sometimes use the small clip on spurs on the player's side of the bass, like on your set.
Maybe the original owner of your set liked it that way and continued when he got his "modern" WFL set...
http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/ludwig_sets/1924-ludwig-drum-sets-1.jpg

[mcjnic]

In line with what several have inferred, I was thinking that maybe this owner wanted TWO sets of spurs. As has been stated several times, those spurs were an afterthought. Definitely put on after the factory work. What if ... what if the owner had the original clip-on spurs and wanted something more. That would help explain the location of these spurs. If the clip-on spurs were on the front of the bass (which would be period correct), the other pair of spurs would naturally find themselves positioned more towards the player.

[Batterhead]

See?.....That's why I like this forum so much! It's a bottomless wealth of drum history and knowledge.
I never knew Ludwig didn't start using shell mounted spurs till 1955. You even have the part numbers!!! That's just scary!!...LOL
The information provided by Tommyp, Mcjnic, Rich K, and others have solved a mystery I've been clueless about for 45 years!

The spurs that were installed do have very sharp points on them, (I put the rubber caps on them recently) but perhaps because they are on the wrong end of the BD still won't stop it from sliding away (even on carpeting). I've been using that wire restraint for so long I'll probably just keep on with it. Heck, with that on there I can play on an ice skating rink with no worries.

Thanks guys!

[Pounder]

Hmm.. Are you sure they're that early WFL? That looks like normal spurs for a late 50s set. Only you have the bass set up backwards.

[mcjnic]

What the heck? Does someone have a WayBack Machine? Didn't we already do this?

[Pounder]

What the heck is a "Wayback machine?"

OK I just read the badge post. OK.. Could have been installed at a music store--wrongly.

[jonnistix]

What the heck is a "Wayback machine?"

OK I just read the badge post. OK.. Could have been installed at a music store--wrongly.
Can you find your "wayback" to the beginning....LoLoLoLo


....just havin' a little fun....

[FatherTime]

Is it possible to switch the spurs? mount the left on the right and right on the left. They would still be on the back, but pointing forward?

[Jazzbird]

OK, Let me ask the people who might really know.....
Most if not all bass drums I see have the spurs towards the reso end. I've never been able to figure out why MY bass has them towards the batter side.
Was this just the way Ludwig did it on the 1948 - 1952 WFL's?

Hi, Your spurs are mounted the same way Gene Krupa had his in early the 50s. I'd find a 2nd pair for the front. Very cool drums! Cool Dude