Greetings Vintage Drum Friends!
This month’s installment of Vintage Happiness finds the latest addition to the collection and a fun restoration project. This set is a1968 Walberg & Auge Perfection Jazz Outfit in Rogers Blue Strata Pearl. The sizes are 20/14/12/14
This is my second Walberg & Auge kit. I was so impressed by the first one I found last year that when I saw this one show up on Wood & Weathers Facebook page, I immediately contacted them. These drum sets are true vintage mutt kits and are really unique and sound fantastic.
These non mass-produced drums sets were made by the company that provided the metal hardware and hardware designs for the big drum companies in the 1900's. Based in Worcester MA, Walberg and Auge is considered to be, "the biggest unknown name in the history of twentieth-century American percussion". Check out the unique mix of hardware. This drum kit was hand built to 'Perfection' by Robert George Bernard (RGB) in December 1968. The shells are the early 60's 6 ply Gretsch Jasper shells with the COOLEST MIX of Gretsch, Ludwig, Rogers and W&A hardware. Whatever RGB had near him when he decided to build a set. So unique and one of a kind. This little jazz set has a 14x20 bass drum, 8x12 tom, 14x14 floor tom (with Ludwig spring loaded legs!!) and 8-lug 5x14 incredible matching snare with an era correct Ludwig P-83 throw off (note Ludwig logo). While the kit is not perfect there are no extra holes or modifications to the drums. Bearing edges are good and the wrap has no cracks or lifting issues. Just some minor scratches to the wrap but the great thing is this unique oyster hides the few imperfections incredibly well. All this kit needed was a deep cleaning so all the hardware was removed and polished by hand. All the shells were buffed out with Novus 1 and 2. All new classic Remo Coated Ambassadors and of course the correct Walberg & Auge logo was supplied once again by Jeremy Esposito at W&A. Thank you again Jeremy! Now a really nice players set here in a unique finish in desirable small sizes. The closest wrap I found to resemble this awesome oyster is Rogers Blue Strata Pearl. These little drums sound fantastic with great tone and HUGE projection! The 8 lug Rogers/Ludwig snare drum is OFF the charts! HUGE fat tone and a great crack!
If you are not familiar with these drums or the company and dig American drum history, I highly recommend checking them out. It's a really interesting read. www.WalbergAndAuge.com
I'd like to thank Mr. Joseph Barthelette & Brian Cauti at The AWESOME Wood & Weather Drum Shop in Springfield, MA for this amazing kit. A great small REAL brick and mortar vintage drum shop with lots of excellent vintage kits for sale.
Check them out at:
http://woodandweatherdrumshop.com
Also many thanks to Anthony DeFusco at The Village Drum in North Scituate Rhode Island for freeing up that matching incredible snare drum! Check out Tony's store here:
https://thevillagedrumandmusic.com
The set has found it’s way into the rotation and will be seeing many live shows. I’ve been using it quite a bit lately!
Until next time, PLAY those drums!