Thank you Mark and Jerry!

Oddball, I hear what your saying about the butt joint. It would have to be a very slight angle if I want it to go under the lugs but certainly not impossible. The 8 and 9 inch deep drums are no big deal, the lugs hide most of it. But the floor tom is the tough one, not sure I will try it on that one or not. The drums will get so much finish I think what ever joint will disappear. The whole logic behind the butt joint as opposed to an over lap was so I could router the outside round profile after the veneer was applied without that step down you get with it overlapped. The butt joint makes it nice and smooth all the way around.

Okay, so tomorrow I'm taking off work to finish wrapping all the drums. Then over the next few days I hope to work on the finish. It will be a four step process, orange dye, rich cherry stain, walnut shader and a glossy top coat. I am hoping to replicate the walnut lacquer finish that Gretsch has out now. The chrome parts look really nice and I have new heads for the entire kit, cant wait to get these done.

Jeff,

I meant diagonal seam, nothing under, it`s still a butt joint, at 35 or something instead of at 90.

Yes, I understood what you meant.

Man Jeff, those sells are looking great! Can`t wait to see them stained up with the hardware back on.

Jeff a day off to work on the shells must be great! Sounds like the finish steps are pretty intense also. Lots of color work homework to do. Glad it's all going together smoothly. I have trouble wrapping a shell with plastic. So I really admire the excellent craftsmanship you do! :) Have fun buddy.

Thanks Glenn and Tommy!

Got the bass drum to go, the butt joint on the floor Tom came out great, very happy. Lookin like the finish will start today.

Shells are ready for the finish, yay!

I have all the butt joints facing the camera, can you see them?

Whoa! You do awesome work

Orange dye and rich cherry stain are complete. After one hour I will spray a thin coat of clear to make the true colors pop out. Then I will start the walnut shading process. Fun day!

Thanks to all for the nice compliments.

Got bored waiting for stain to dry so I thought I would snap a pic of all the products used. Someone might find it interesting, if not, it helped pass some time. A close up of the contact adhesive I used to apply the birch veneer.