any ideas for a rank amateur on how to build up a very level surface?

The best thing you could do is go to a paint store (not a big box place like Lowe's or Home Depot) I mean like Sherwin Williams where they really know their products. Tell them what you want to achieve. There are fillers you can use on porus woods to fill in the grain before you stain. I have never used them but have heard my painters talk about it. The biggest thing is application of the finish, there are a lot of guys that brush the finish on and are happy with the results. My painters sometimes will use a foam roller to apply varnish on flat doors and it looks good after the finish lays down. So go the store and see what they say, or start a thread asking advice on doing a finish with amateur skills and see what happens. Heck look at the job John did here,,,

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=23140

Jeff C

I had one of my male cats spray some of my shells once.....

JOKING!

Boy I hope thats a joke, yuck.

Yee-ha! Just scored a Jazzfest to go with the kit! I'll be stripping off the old wrap and sending you the shell asap so we can match it to the clubbie shells!

Kit complete!!!!!

John - Happy camper

Allright, good for you! Send it over and I will add it in no charge. Nothin better than a matching snare drum. I need to find one to go with the shells that I bought from billnvick. He did give me a marching shell so all I really need is the hardware.

Jeff - I have an old 3-ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany Pioneer shell you can have if you want it. Just plug the lug holes, add a veneer, lay-out for 8 lugs, and Viola! Instant Jazzfest! I'll have to measure it, but I 'think' it's a 5.5"!!!

It's a nice shell, in-round, sound, no cracks or extra holes, rock maple re-rings and will make for a 'warm' sounding snare with a 'warm' attack. Good candidate! Let me know... yours for the asking.

John

That sounds great John! But please wait and make sure you are satisfied with the job I did on your clubbies before you start giving stuff away, lol!

By the way, I sprayed the last coat today. Im not real happy with it so I think I will sand it down tomorrow and give it one more.

Hey, Mr. Perfectionist... that's why -you- got the job! Jumping2

Thanks, Jeff for the extra effort. It is appreciated.

John