Mike - This just keeps getting better and better! I opened up the 14" x 14" tacked bottom tom. It has a 4" to 5" wide reinforcement ring around the top bearing edge! The widest re-rings I've ever seen are always on old Radio Kings (3" rings) the one on this 14" is easily twice that in width! I'll take some photos later. It also sports a 30's/40's looking tone control. I'm nervous about doing the tacked head, but I'm moving ahead full-steam. The bass drum is an impressive beast! I've never owned a 28" before. It's a [SIZE="4"]BIG[/SIZE] drum! :p

Jeff - Thanks, yes it was a really cool discovery! It allowed me to narrow down the date of manufacture to somewhere within 25 years! LOL

More photos to come... the 14" is next up in the batting order.

John

Looking really good. Bass drum came out great. I hope you don't hide that badge under a claw when you reassemble that tom.

The bass looks beautiful John! Amazing work your doing here. They are certainly in the right hands. I think your right with 30's timeframe. And for sure this was a top level Pro set in the day. I've never seen a kit this old with 3 toms and a floor! And in this color either. I do think you have a 1 of a kind kit here. With all the extras a true time capsule too. That's cool you found that badge hiding under the claw. I was wondering if one would pop up somewhere!

Just tapped into your history John, and you've seen a lot of action over the years. Hopefully you've retired from all that and can just fiddle with the drums now!

Awesome job, John! I can't wait to see the kit all together. Now you got me thinking about keeping my eyes peeled for those "older" drum that need to be rescued.

In my opinion, that hoop badge needs to be front and center.

-Tim

That is precisely what I'm doing my friend. Happiest, most peaceful time of my life right now. With the exception of the occasional gnat nipping at my ears, I'm enjoying a fairly blissful existence... between you and me, I earned it.

Tim - You wrote: "keeping my eyes peeled for those "older" drum that need to be rescued."

That's where I live, baby! :D

John

John, "killer" looking wrap man! Once again you have done your "magic" to those old tubs. I am really diggin that wrap and it does make me think of pristine clear blue water,

(great lakes in my case.) Awesome! HOW ARE YOU HANDS HOLDING UP? Do you have that dreaded "polishidis" (hands get cramped and sore as heck) going on? LOL.....

Loving this resto John, keep up the good work!

Greg,

I started the 14"! I'm pulling tacks as we speak. Photos to follow.

I'm working on the drum, but my thoughts are 3000 miles away with, Jerry...

Hope you guys get to see him one more time.

John

PS - Just noticed that this is my 7000th post! I must have lost my mind along the way and never noticed... :p

john-are the tacked resos busted or worn real bad? or did you just want to go ahead and replace them?

mike