I think the butcher block wrap was a cortex wrap and that stuff is kind of like Formica but thinner. Counter top material has been used for drums, I know because I have removed it from drum shells. From my experience with the removal of the stuff I would advise you to stay away from that idea. There must be a butcher block wrap available from someone.

half of my first dbl bass ludwig kit (6 ply maple/popler) was wrapped in this stuff.

i got the kit from my old boss who worked for ludwig (around 1995) and when i decided to rewrap it that stuff was a pain to take off.

a heat gun, putty knife and alot of cuts later i finally got it all off.

On the subject of formica, My father bought a ludwig drumkit in white formica. We got it home and pulled the formica off to reveal a psychedelic red wrap in pristine condition. This was probably about 20 years ago.

I had to remove some of what I considered "just like formica" from some 80s Ludwig marching drums for a rewrap job. Yes, it took a lot of time, a lot of heat, and a lot of patience. I guess there was only one seem on even the bigger bass drums... so I guess that was a plus as far as the original was concerned. And, as for overall durability (particularly for school drums), I'm not too sure it can be beat. But... solid white is extremely boring... ;)

Ah, I said "I love seeing" them, not "I want a drum kit with that stuff on it."

'twas mere curiosity. My preference for drums that I actually own is either pearl or 2-tone Duco. In the case of Acrolites, grey anodized.

I also love looking at (through?) acrylic drums but have no desire to own any.

So what Ludwig called "Cortex" was indeed thinner than Formica. Interesting.