manoeuver gear: March 2012

First-run Yamaha Beech Custom Drumkit

I bought these new in 1998. Cranberry Red Beech Customs. One of the last Takashi "Hagi" Hagiwara-designed kits Yamaha made, and they're just wonderful drums.

Rock solid after fourteen years, these drums are functioning at 100%. People say these drums inhabit the sound spectrum in between Maple and Birch. I don't have an opinion on that but I have extensive experience with these on stage and in the studio. They cut well and are quite loud when you need them to be. They'll punch through a live mix and they record beautifully.

I last used these in 2008, they've been waiting patiently for me in their cases ever since, but I fear I won't be playing them again. I'd like to find them a home where they'll get plenty of use, it's shameful to keep them boxed up.

Specifics: 4 toms in FAST sizes (Depth x Diameter): 8x10”, 9x12” 12x14” and 14x16”. The bass drum is 18X22". Included with the kit is the heavy duty tripod for mounting the floor toms and the mount for the rack toms. Pictures show only three tom arms, but I picked another one up so there's a mount for each of the toms.

Drums are all headed with a mix of 2-ply Remo and Evans heads. All heads are totally playable. There's a Remo Powerstroke bass drum batter head and an unported black front head on it now.

The finish on these drums is beautiful and looks flawless from a few feet away. There are some dings on the toms where they bumped into my snare drum over years of play. The bass drum hoops are a bit banged up in places also. The chrome on these drums is bright and shiny. There is no rust or corrosion anywhere on the kit.

The deal:

I'm seeking a local buyer who will pick these drums up at my home in Baltimore. Included are the drums, the tom-mounting hardware and tripod. Shipping these will be extremely expensive so I'd rather not.

My asking price reflects the condition of the equipment which is offered strictly as-is. I've described the drums as candidly as possible and they are priced to move. Cash offers will be considered in person.

A full price offer ($1000) will get in addition:

Your choice of hard cases or soft bags for all drums
A rugged Beato hardware bag
Extra 10", 12" and 14" heads for the toms (you may choose from the many I have on hand)
A ported 22" Yamaha Logo head for the bass drum
A Tama bass drum pedal (see photos)
A throne (nice wide seat on it too.)
4 pairs of new drumsticks

These are really cool drums and I hate to sell them.

there's another tom arm now...

Soft Bags or Hard Cases Available.

Thanks for looking!

This kit is SOLD. Thanks Chase!

Here are some lovely, stately drums. They are WFL drums, which is to say they're drums Wm F. Ludwig manufactured while he didn't own the Ludwig brand. Manufactured in the same factory as previous and later Ludwigs, these drums occupy a special place in the history of drum manufacture.

Put a bit differently: these are very cool, very old and fairly rare drums from the Ludwig family. The badges put them in the 1948-1953 range.

The Noteworthy:

Original Calf Heads- one each on the toms and two on the bass drum.
Sparkling Chrome- as per the photos, the lugs and rims cleaned up beautifully. See before and after photos here.
White Marine Pearl wrap is in fantastic condition. There is yellowing as expected, but the seams are very tight.
Kit includes fiber cases for the toms and a wheeled trap case that holds the snare drum, cymbals and hardware.
Complete: the only part this kit was missing was a tension rod on the 13" tom. I replaced it with a period appropriate Ludwig rod.
Hi Hats: Krut hi hat cymbals included, they're lightweight and the edges are bent up. No cracks though.
Hi Hat Stand: The most elegant Hi Hat stand design I've ever seen. It's a lightweight two-legged Premier stand that folds in the most ingenious way. Unscrew the bottom plate and the legs and pedal assembly fold flush to the upright post. Tighten the plate and you're off.
Two snare drum stands included, one Ludwig branded, the other one WFL
New Remo Coated Ambassador batter head on the snare drum
Original wrench for rail consolette and period-appropriate drum tuning key included

The Expected:

Minor chrome pitting on the lugs and hoops
Major chrome flaking/rust on the rail consolette and bass drum spurs
Moderate chrome pitting/flaking on floor tom leg brackets and tom mount bracket
Leather straps on tom cases will need replacement or repair. Cases still offer good protection to the drums though.
Small cracks here and there on the wraps. None greater than 2cm. Yellowing present where wrap is exposed.
Bass drum hoops are worn and scuffed. No cracks, hoops are structurally sound and the inlays are firmly attached.
A few holes in the calf heads. If you plan on playing these (and I hope you do) you'll want to replace the calf or use it for the resonant heads.

The Unfortunate:

Two holes drilled in bass drum shell to accommodate bizarre wood block mount fashioned from bass drum anchor. Block and anchor included. See photos. Dangit.
Small crack in the 13" reso-side hoop. Hoop functions perfectly.

The Deal:

Seeking a local buyer who will pick these drums up at my home in Baltimore. Included are the drums, hardware, cases and hi hat cymbals. I'd like to move this whole kit together. These can be played as-is or you can replace the calf heads if you'd like to preserve them. If you must have them shipped we'll have to work something out, but it's going to be costly.

My asking price reflects the condition of the equipment which is offered strictly as-is. I've described the drums as candidly as possible and priced them to move. Cash offers will be considered in person.

A full price offer ($800) will get in addition: