Thank You for the info. Love that gloss. And love that Shop too!

Keep on Building, SA

Thanks alot man! Building is my life. Looks like resoring old drums is going to be a big part as well.

Beautiful work-As you are a cabinet maker,I'd like to pose a question.I would like to do a similar project with a set of Tama Rockstars from 1989.The veneer I'm applying is maple,and I'd like the stain color to be dark blue.Gretsch used to call it Blue Spruce,and now it's name is Carribean Blue.I can never get the stain dark enough-it always comes out an ugly baby blue.Any recomondations regarding a possible better veneer choice or stain/laquer/urethane....I'd rather leave the drums flat black than go thru all the trouble and have the drums baby blue.I think your drums are a better promo for your new side business than the sale price-$400 would be a lucky day sale,cause they are still 6-lug luan Taiwan jobs-sorry.Please don't stop-you are inspiring us!

No kidding!! What you have done is amazing and I hope that you can help me with my project!! I P/M ed to your message board!!

Thanks guys, I will get back with you tomorrow

After being in business for myself since 1990 more and more people are think that they can negotiate cost. I never had to worry back in the good ole days, they just took it or went somewhere else. Now they want five different bids. So thats why the cost of the drums is up where I can move down considerably. 400 would be great but thats not my bottom number.

As for your dark blue, are you trying to match color to an existing set? Sounds like you might need to use a dye first then stain and then shading addative in the lacquer. I have done this for extremely dark stained cabinets. The only thing I am not sure about is the blue. No one has asked for blue cabinets yet. Here is a link to the products I use http://www.mlcampbell.com/

This is not a do-it-yourselfer freindly process. You might have to locate a cabinet guy or painter to help you out. You could do the veneer wrap your self, its pretty easy. Maple is nice because its inexpensive and pretty smooth and by the time you apply all the dye, stain to get it dark the grain is pretty well lost anywa. My first set I did in maple, some old 80s Rockers, see the pic.

Well-THAT is something!The fact that you started with good drums to begin with gives you a better shot at recouping the construction costs and maybe some extra.And thanks for the response regarding blue drums.Your set up is perfect for drum rebuilding/refinishing.I,on the other hand,have a garage filled with motorcycles,auto parts and drums.Not good for spraying anything.

Just sold the mahogany taiwans for 350.00. It was on C.L. one day. The buyer liked the finish. Now I am looking for a new set to start again. I did check with my supplier and they do have a blue dye.

How cool is this! Very nice work! It sure does help to have experience in cabinet building and adhesives etc..... I never heard of useing courser sandpaper to get the stain to absorb, but I can see the truth in it. Bowing

Yes its true, you do not want to polish the wood. Too smooth can aslo give you adhersion troubles as well.