WFL III Drums G2 5pc Maple Shell Pack 12"/13"/16"/18"/22" – Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake

Some drums have a great sound. Others carry a story.

The WFL III Drums G2 5pc Maple Shell Pack in Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake represents both. Built by William F. Ludwig III, a third-generation drum maker and grandson of Ludwig & Ludwig founder William F. Ludwig, this WFL III G2 shell pack brings generations of American drum-building experience together with modern craftsmanship, carefully selected woods, and a striking hand-finished appearance.

The result is a professional acoustic drum set with serious tonal range, powerful projection, and a visual presence that commands attention.

This configuration features 12" and 13" rack toms, 16" and 18" floor toms, and a 22" bass drum, giving drummers an expansive tonal palette ranging from articulate upper-register toms to deep, resonant floor toms and a powerful low-end foundation.

Finished in Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake, this particular WFL III G2 shell pack combines traditional drum aesthetics with a distinctly modern, custom appearance.

The Sound of Generations

The story behind WFL III is part of what makes these drums so special.

William F. Ludwig III—known to many drummers simply as Bill Ludwig III or B3—grew up surrounded by the drum business. His grandfather, William F. Ludwig, and father, William F. Ludwig Jr., were both influential figures in American drum manufacturing. Bill III began accompanying his father and grandfather to the factory as a child, gaining firsthand exposure to drum building, players, manufacturing, and the family business. WFL III's own history describes those early factory experiences as an important part of his path toward becoming a drum maker himself. 

That family story stretches back to 1909, when William F. Ludwig and his brother Theobald founded Ludwig & Ludwig in Chicago. William Ludwig later established the WFL Drum Company in 1937 after leaving the company that bore the Ludwig name, creating a new chapter in his family's drum-making history. 

Decades later, William F. Ludwig III followed a remarkably similar path.

After spending years away from the drum business, Bill III returned to drum manufacturing and founded WFLIII Drums in 2014. The name itself is a tribute to his family lineage: WFL—the initials used by his grandfather's WFL Drum Company—combined with III to represent the third generation. 

In other words, WFL III isn't a company borrowing from drum history.

It is part of that history.

And that philosophy is reflected in the instruments themselves: American-made drums designed with a deep respect for traditional drum construction while incorporating modern manufacturing, materials, finishes, and player-focused details.

Three Generations of Drum Building, One Modern Instrument

The WFL III philosophy can be summed up by the company's own idea of “The Sound of Generations.”

Bill III inherited more than a famous family name. He inherited generations of practical knowledge about what makes a drum work—how shells respond, how bearing edges affect tuning and resonance, how hardware interacts with a shell, and, most importantly, how a drum should sound in the hands of a player.

That perspective is particularly evident in the G2 series.

Rather than chasing complexity for its own sake, WFL III focuses on the fundamentals of great drums: carefully constructed shells, quality American woods, precise bearing edges, professional hardware, and finishes that allow the drums to look as exceptional as they sound.

The G2 shell formula combines maple and mahogany in a six-ultrathin-ply construction, bringing together maple's attack and projection with the warmth and musical character associated with mahogany.

The result is a drum voice that is powerful without being harsh, warm without becoming soft, and responsive enough to cover a wide range of tuning and musical applications.

WFL III G2 Maple/Mahogany Shell Construction

At the heart of this shell pack is WFL III's G2 six-ultrathin-ply maple/mahogany shell construction.

The shells are designed to provide a balanced combination of:

• Focused attack
• Warm fundamental tone
• Full-bodied projection
• Musical sustain
• Broad tuning range
• Responsive dynamics
• Strong low-end presence

The maple/mahogany combination is especially well suited to players who want drums that can move between styles without requiring excessive EQ or processing.

In the studio, the shells provide a strong fundamental voice that engineers can work with. On stage, they provide the projection and low-end authority needed to compete with amplified instruments.

And behind the kit, they simply feel like serious drums.

A 5-Piece Configuration With an Extra Dimension

While this is technically a 5-piece shell pack, the configuration goes considerably deeper than the typical 10"/12"/16"/22" setup.

The WFL III G2 configuration includes:

• 8" x 12" rack tom
• 9" x 13" rack tom
• 16" x 16" floor tom
• 16" x 18" floor tom
• 14" x 22" bass drum

The additional 18" floor tom gives the kit a much larger low-end voice and provides drummers with significantly more tonal territory for fills, grooves, and dynamic arrangements.

The 12" and 13" rack toms provide articulate upper and midrange voices, while the 16" and 18" floor toms move progressively downward into deep, resonant territory.

The 22" bass drum then anchors the entire kit with the full, authoritative low end expected from a professional-sized acoustic drum set.

Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake

The Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake finish is one of the defining features of this particular WFL III.

A rich red foundation is combined with shimmering flake that catches the light as the drums move across the stage. Under stage lighting, the finish can shift from a classic deep red appearance to a much more dramatic sparkle effect.

It has the visual character of a classic American drum finish while still looking distinctly custom.

And because WFL III places such an emphasis on the craftsmanship and appearance of its finishes, the result feels more like a purpose-built instrument than a mass-produced drum set.

This is a finish designed to be noticed.

Hand-Finished Bearing Edges

Great drums begin with great shells, but the details that connect the shell to the drumhead are equally important.

The WFL III G2 platform incorporates hand-finished 45-degree bearing edges, helping provide consistent head contact, tuning response, resonance, and sustain.

That attention to the fundamental mechanics of the drum is consistent with the WFL III philosophy: concentrate on the details that actually affect how the instrument sounds and responds.

Professional Hardware Details

The G2 series also incorporates hardware designed to complement the shell construction rather than overwhelm it.

WFL III G2 drums feature custom springless lugs and 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops, providing a professional foundation for tuning stability, response, attack, and resonance.

These details may not be the first things you notice when you see the drums, but they become important the moment you sit behind the kit.

From Chicago Drum History to a New Generation of American Drums

There is an interesting symmetry to the WFL III story.

William F. Ludwig built his reputation in Chicago and helped shape the development of the modern American drum industry. His grandson grew up visiting that same family drum factory and eventually returned to drum manufacturing decades later. When Bill III established WFLIII Drums, he intentionally revived the WFL initials his grandfather had used when starting over in the 1930s.

The name therefore represents both history and independence.

WFL III isn't attempting to reproduce an old drum company exactly as it once existed. Instead, Bill III has taken the lessons passed down through his family and applied them to a new generation of American-made instruments.

That makes every WFL III drum part of a much larger story—one that began with William F. Ludwig more than a century ago and continues today through his grandson.

Built in America. Built Around the Player.

WFL III drums are made in the United States, continuing the Ludwig family's long association with American drum manufacturing. The company has grown from its early focus on snare drums into a broader range of professional percussion instruments and full drum sets. 

For today's drummer, that history isn't simply something to read about.

It's something you can hear.

The G2 shell pack combines traditional drum-making principles with modern construction and a configuration designed for contemporary players. It is equally at home on a concert stage, in a recording studio, at a church, in a club, or behind a serious home-recording setup.

Designed for a Wide Range of Music

The combination of maple/mahogany shells and the expanded 12"/13"/16"/18"/22" configuration makes this WFL III particularly versatile.

It's an excellent choice for:

• Rock and hard rock
• Classic rock
• Country and Americana
• Blues
• Worship
• Pop
• Alternative
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Touring
• Players who want a larger-toned 5-piece configuration

The 18" floor tom is especially valuable for players who want substantial low-end depth without moving to a much larger multi-tom setup.

More Than a Drum Set

The WFL III G2 5pc Maple Shell Pack is ultimately about more than its specifications.

It's about a family that has spent generations building drums.

It's about William F. Ludwig III returning to the craft he grew up around and creating a new company inspired by the same determination that led his grandfather to start over nearly a century earlier.

And it's about putting that history into a modern instrument designed for today's players.

The Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake WFL III G2 brings all of that together in one unmistakable package: American drum-building heritage, maple/mahogany shells, professional construction, an expansive 5-piece configuration, and a finish that looks as impressive under stage lights as it does in the studio.

The WFL III Legacy

From William F. Ludwig's pioneering work in Chicago to William F. Ludwig III's return to American drum building, the WFL name has always been connected to a simple idea: build great drums for great drummers.

The WFL III G2 Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake 5-Piece Shell Pack carries that idea forward for a new generation.

Three generations of drum building. One unmistakable sound.

Specs

Brand: WFL III Drums
Series: G2 / Generations 2
Configuration: 5-Piece Shell Pack
Shell Material: 6-Ultrathin-Ply Maple/Mahogany
Rack Tom: 8" x 12"
Rack Tom: 9" x 13"
Floor Tom: 16" x 16"
Floor Tom: 16" x 18"
Bass Drum: 14" x 22"
Finish: Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake
Bearing Edges: Hand-finished 45-degree bearing edges
Lugs: WFL III Custom Springless Lugs
Hoops: 2.3mm Triple-Flanged Hoops
Country of Manufacture: USA
Product Type: Acoustic Drum Shell Pack

Why Choose the WFL III G2 5-Piece Shell Pack?

G2 Maple/Mahogany Shells
WFL III's six-ply maple/mahogany shell formula delivers a combination of attack, warmth, resonance, and musical sustain.

Expanded 5-Piece Configuration
The 12"/13"/16"/18"/22" configuration gives you two rack toms and two floor toms for a significantly broader tonal range.

22" Bass Drum
The 22" bass drum provides the full, powerful low-end foundation expected from a professional rock and live-performance kit.

18" Floor Tom
The 18" floor tom adds serious low-end depth and makes this configuration particularly attractive for players who want a larger sonic footprint.

Hand-Finished Bearing Edges
Carefully finished bearing edges promote strong head-to-shell contact, tuning response, and resonance.

Professional Hardware Details
WFL III G2 drums feature custom springless lugs and 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops.

Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake Finish
A distinctive red sparkle finish with shimmering galaxy flake creates a custom appearance that stands out under stage lighting.

Made in the USA
WFL III G2 drums are built in the United States.

What's Included

• WFL III G2 8" x 12" Rack Tom – Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake
• WFL III G2 9" x 13" Rack Tom – Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake
• WFL III G2 16" x 16" Floor Tom – Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake
• WFL III G2 16" x 18" Floor Tom – Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake
• WFL III G2 14" x 22" Bass Drum – Red Sparkle Galaxy Flake

Note: This is a shell pack. Cymbals, stands, pedals, throne, and other drum hardware are not included unless specifically stated in the product listing.

Why Shop at Metz Music?

At Metz Music, we’re more than just a place to buy musical instruments—we’re musicians helping musicians. We offer quality instruments and gear from trusted brands, backed by knowledgeable, personal service. Whether you’re a beginner choosing your first instrument or a seasoned player looking for your next upgrade, we’re here to help you find the right fit. Shop with confidence at Metz Music and experience the difference that comes from a music store that truly cares about your sound.