I won this kit on eBay a few weeks ago. I am putting together a web site but here's a preview. So far I have only finished the snare drum. So these pictures are pre-restoration except for that drum.
Random facts/musings:
• Drouyn drums were made in Brisbane, Queensland from about 1960 - 1985? but the kits were really stopped well before then.
• They are quite rare in Australia in a complete form.
• This kit is 20/13/16; 14 x 5" snare
• Found copies of the West Australian Gazette from 1967 inside the kick.
• Came with a set of 60's Zildjian hats - thin, nice; and an 18" Super Zyn which sounds really funky.
20" x 14" kick:
The tees and claws are thin like Premiers. They feel really good. Solid but very elegant. The tom mount is really simple.
[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/troutstudio/restoration/IMG_4395.jpg[/IMG]
13" rack:
The wrap is fantastic. It's not really WMP, because it has no 'shell' pieces at all. It's hardly faded. I have tried Mothers on a small section and it gleams. Also very tight seam which is not overlapped? The badges on the toms have no air holes and there are top and bottom mufflers. All the rims are lightweight steel and they do look sort of homemade. The lugs have a springless design with a retaining tab. Chrome is in good shape - not polished yet! Some later Drouyns had slotted rods. The floor tom has 9 lugs! Makes it very symmetrical but what if you lost a rim!
[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/troutstudio/restoration/IMG_4407.jpg[/IMG]
Stands:
The hardware is very simple but smooth and stable. Drouyn used Premier parts occasionally and the cymbal stand is a 60's Premier. I'm really hoping the hi-hat upper section is a standard UK size because I really need a complete cup for it. The original is made of rubber - neat idea but of course the center section is gone.
[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/troutstudio/restoration/IMG_4411.jpg[/IMG]
Rack interior:
The shells are three thick plies of Rose Alder, a rainforest tree from Far North Queensland, now protected by World Heritage. Rose Alder has a hardness just below maple. No re-rings, rounded edges. Don Sleishman told me Drouyn wanted to make drums like Gretsch (?) 1960's saw US Navy all over Brisbane on leave. The Drouyn family first ran a music store from 1942. So was the plan a Gretsch copy with a Supra snare? Not a bad idea! The shells have numbers written inside them. They're finished with a very thin coat of varnish, no sanding.
[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/troutstudio/restoration/IMG_4425.jpg[/IMG]
Snare shell interior:
These snare drum shells were supposedly made by Ludwig - Supra's in fact. I have a Supra, but I've yet to do a forensic exam of both shells. All I can say is that the shell is very light; seamless and the cup washers sure look the same. The number 311 is stamped into this one. The snare wires are not Ludwig.
[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/troutstudio/restoration/IMG_4433.jpg[/IMG]
Snare after detailing:
The lugs are quite heavy, making this drum a tad heavier than a Supra. It cleaned up beautifully (took ages) but it was late at night so I haven't heard it yet.
[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/troutstudio/restoration/IMG_4436.jpg[/IMG]
That's it so far. Thanks for your interest (or patience!) I am going to buy new heads on the way home. The drums will take a few days but I'm going to give the snare a hit this afternoon.
