Thanks so much. 2 out of my 3 had the L up; and it seems to make sense that would be the "stock" way b/c one could read the logo much easier. My guess is that there MAY have been an L UP "policy" that people on the production line probably didn't have time for. :)

You know, that is exactly what I had in mind. I just don't know if it is kosher in the vintage drum world to do that.... I mean, we aren't talking about spray painting over the clear finish inside the shell, we are talking about screws that are interchangeable easily... Hmmm....

They're just screws... With rust they are already "non Kosher" so either have them re-plated with the proper period correct plating, replace them, or paint them a close color and call it done.

Light rust I just leave them alone, but with yours nearly completely brown, a dusting of silver will make them less offensive looking.

They can always be re-plated later if it is discovered this is Elvis Presley's second cousin's step-dad's practice kit.D' Drummer

(let's not forget you won't see them through the coated Ambassadors anyway)Storm Trooper

Re the silver paint.. Maybe a product known as "Rust-Oleum" a spray pack, would be worth a thought.. It comes in a "Hammered Silver"colour.. I have used it on a couple of old Pearl Pedals... Its made in the USA as well..

It has a rust inhibitor in the formula.

Cheers

Another guitarist here moonweasel. Don't know if you got one yet but forum member bfulton has a sweet re-done speedking in the classifieds. You won't get it for $50 but you won't get a "squeek king" either. He replaces or rebuilds all moving parts. I bought 1 from him and he rebuilt a second one for me. Well worth the money imo.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=34014

Big +1! bfulton is one of the best pedal restorers I've ever come across. The pedals actually look/work -better- than new after he refurbs on them.

John

UPDATE:

Screws and washers (from FT legs) are saved!

Soaked them in vinegar for 24 hours (probably too long), soaked in baking soda in water for 1 hour, scrubbed the heck out of them with a stiff old tooth brush, dried them in front of a fan for an hour. Primed them with Rustoleum self etching primer (they were down to bare metal), then gloss light grey.

Note the jig to hold the screws still while painting, first I masked the threads, then laid them out upside down on the plywood for priming and painting (light single coats). Once very dry, set them up in this jig to be able to paint the tops.

The washers to the FT leg mounts took to the vinegar VERY well. All rust is out of the pits, it's not coming back. I then hit them with a couple coats of the Turtle Wax Chrome cleaner, and they are ready to go.

GREAT thing that I learned, I have been using my racheting screw driver that has interchangeable tips. If you leave the tip out, it is precisely the size of the bolt heads (for the lugs) and works nicely. BUT, it would have scratched my fresh paint. So here is the tip, use a surgical glove over the end of the screw driver, they are thin enough to allow the screw head to fit into the driver, but strong enough not to rip. Note in the AFTER pic how the paint is perfect.

The 14x14 FT is now complete save the muffler. The screw has a bad thread, I know someone at a local machine shop that will fix it for a couple bucks. Can't afford heads right now, so these old school Ludwigs are going back on. The resonant side is ORIGINAL. haha.

Chrome lugs and legs and leg mounts all came back nicely. The batter side ring is not as good as the 12x8 tom, but it's passable. The resonant side is only 5/10 condition wise, but you can't see it down there....

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Tillerva, a user here, is hooking me up with a complete bass drum lug. The lug itself is nickel and the rest chrome. Fine by me as the missing one is on the bottom of the bass drum. Much easier than buying a lot of 10 or 20 of them on Evil Bay, and then having to sell the rest etc... Thanks Matt.

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I have the bass drum sounding much better doing a little more tuning experimentation and with a set of Gibraltor felt strips that I found gathering dust at the local music shop. I picked up an EMAD (white coated) for the batter side, haven't isntalled it yet as I still have to tear down and restore the bass drum. My budget is super tight, but I couldn't get over all of the youtube videos I have watched of it. I know the foam rings can where out, but I'm not going to be playing the kit 24/7. Going to keep the current 90's era resonant side for budget reasons. -- Also, I just may have not been hitting the bass drum hard enough with the pedal, well, that and it was tuned HORRIBLY. :)

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PS - Thanks Msparticus for suggesting the Coated Ambassadors. Then sound KILLER on the 12x8 tom. I am NOT a drum expert, but that tom sounds perfect to me. Even with the "tuning" I have done on it. I HAD to buy new heads for the top and bottom as the old ones were shot or missing.

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BEFORE

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/mweasel/ludwig/before.jpg[/IMG]

JUST AFTER PUTTING INTO VINEGAR

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/mweasel/ludwig/justputinvinegar.jpg[/IMG]

THE LEFTOVER RUST AFTER 24 HOURS

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/mweasel/ludwig/theleftoverrust.jpg[/IMG]

AFTER SOAKING FOR A BIT IN BAKING SODA TO NEUTRALIZE ACID

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/mweasel/ludwig/after.jpg[/IMG]

AFTER PRIMING, NO PAINT YET (bottoms of washers are primed and painted at this point)

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/mweasel/newpics01.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/mweasel/newpics02.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/mweasel/newpics03.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/mweasel/newpics04.jpg[/IMG]

Purdie and Mick,

I saw that the other day. I can't swing the $$$ right now. I am sure I will regret it later as that pedal is beyond beautiful cosmetically and functionally.

Tell you guys the truth though, I might actually enjoy rebuilding one myself. One of my other hobbies is restoring my 65 Ford Mustang, so it's right up my alley. Getting the bearing covers off will be interesting, I have been reading up on that. Also, I think I want one that is a little ugly to match the pedal on my hi-hat and the slightly player condition of the whole kit...

$125 is a steal on that rebuilt one though..... Oh well.

Mick,

I've got tubes amps etc, but I love my G-Dec 3 30 next to the drums. Just grab the Tele or LP, play a riff etc, loop the riff, tele back on a guitar stand right next to me, and grab the drums sticks. I set it right next to me with the speaker at near ear level but about four feet away. Can hear it pretty well over the drums, especially as I am not hitting them crazy hard. Fun to work out the drums lines. :) "Iron Man" played on a DownBeat, might be a first??? :) I need to get a pic of the set with my Les Paul. They were built within a few months of each other.

Sounds like a pretty cool rig. I don't have looping capability but since the Purdie Shuffle is a good hour drive I've been getting lessons by some of my favorite drummers from my youth. When I sign off of here tonight me and Charlie are going to work on the "Exile on Main Street" record! Tomorrow I'll probably have Mr. Bonham over and work on my right foot.

"We've done four already but now we're steady and then they went; one two three four."

hahah

While you are hanging out with Mr. Bonham, make sure to check out "Black Country Woman". The drums don't come in for a while, but I love how the bass and snare drums mimmick the guitar and mandolin line a bit.