The History of WFL Drums with Kurt Ekstrom

WFL Drums was born in 1937 when William F. Ludwig sold the company and rights to use his name to CG Conn and he became a competitor with Ludwig and Ludwig Drums. Kurt is an expert on this roughly 18-year period where William F. Ludwig and The Chief (William II) operated out of the Damen Ave factory as WFL Drum Co. and created beautiful drum sets and hardware that are still revered today. We discuss the initial opening of the factory, the war-time era, and the eventual purchase of the Ludwig name back from Conn in the mid-1950s. Kurt has a great collection and really knows his stuff - enjoy this episode! Here are some other Ludwig related Podcast episodes: EP 8 - The History of Ludwig Drums with William F. Ludwig III: https://www.drumhistorypodcast.com/post/ep-8-the-history-of-ludwig-drums-with-william-f-ludwig-iii EP 44 - The History of the Ludwig Black Beauty with Uli Salazar: https://www.drumhistorypodcast.com/post/ep-44-the-history-of-the-ludwig-black-beauty-with-uli-salazar EP 61 - Living a Ludwig Life with Jim Catalano https://www.drumhistorypodcast.com/post/ep-61-living-a-ludwig-life-with-jim-catalano EP 95 - The History of Ludwig Bass Drum Pedals with Steve Zemanek https://www.drumhistorypodcast.com/post/ep-95-the-history-of-ludwig-bass-drum-pedals-with-steve-zemanek EP145 - Ludwigs Role in the Development of Plastic Drumheads with Bill Ryder https://www.drumhistorypodcast.com/post/ep-145-ludwigs-role-in-the-development-of-plastic-drumheads-with-bill-ryder EP 153 - Ludwig Supraphonic History with Uli Salazar https://www.drumhistorypodcast.com/post/ep-153-ludwig-supraphonic-history-with-uli-salazar