I just realized I started this in the wrong place... can someone move this thread to the "Restoring Vintage Drums" area?

Much appreciated!

The plot thickens...

Spent some time over the weekend stripping these down and I am at even more of a loss than before.

The stain is good, but the lacquer looks more orange-peeled than what I would have expected from a manufacturer, also don't recognize that color as being anything that would have been offered. Whoever wrapped these went through a stage of trying to sand everything down, but gave up along the way.

Also discovered that the kick has gone through several transformations. It looks like there was a consolette at one point (actually the only holes that look good), and then a tom mount that is rotated off axis, and the showings of a B/O badge (w/o Serial No.) that is off center between the lugs.

I have no idea what these are or how they came to be, other than that the hardware that is present, was there at least after the stain... Luckily I am still in communication with the guy I got them from, who got them from his uncle about 10 years ago. They both live in Houston and he is going to try and pry some info for me.

Next step is to strip the black interior paint away to see if I can spot any date stamps, or see if any holes have been covered (like the kick)... so far, the only sign of vent holes is on the kick and floor tom, but it looks like someone did that on their own and chewed through it.

Attaching a link to my goggle photo album, does anyone have thoughts onto the veneer job and if that looks home brewed or not?

https://goo.gl/photos/GAmAsk5iNkokHDzp8

The shells are 3 ply with rerings. one of them maybe a 6ply shell, You'll probably not find a stamp date, When you remove all the finish it will remove the stamped dates also if there even any to start with. The good thing is you won't have to tape anything off as you'll be removing both exterior and interior paint.

Thanks for that info... what makes you think that one is a 6ply?

I'm also planning on new edges for these since some of them look a little rough in spots

For what it's worth... all the wood hoops are steam-bent, and I'm very tempted to leave them be. Would be cheaper than having to buy more hoops and would be something unique that I haven't really seen before. I would just need to figure out if I wanted them natural or black.

I took a better look at all the pics, They are all 3 ply shells.

I could be mistaken, but i think some of the kit might be an original finish, and some of the other drums may have been stained.. As you can see, Ludwig did offer similar stained finishes like your kit..

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rulDYnqyrEE"]Ludwig 80's Classic Big Beat Red Mahogany Stain 13x9 16x16 14x22 6 ply Maple - YouTube[/ame]

Thank you!

I am still trying to identify based on the diameter + depth all coming in one package, but what is throwing me off now is the veneer seam, that doesn't seem to be what I would expect to come from Ludwig...

[img]http://i.imgur.com/I14WUoa.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/5D5q2jQ.jpg[/img]

or this...

[img]http://i.imgur.com/nqHBRP1.jpg[/img]

and then there's the 3 different castings of lugs... (with horrible focus)

[img]http://i.imgur.com/XEV3HVx.jpg[/img]

Perfect timing for Halloween, i think you have a cool Frankenstein-kit..

Some hard labor coming your way ;).. The veneer seam doesn't look like something Ludwig would do, as it looks sloppy. The Ludwig lug casings are another indication that they're from different eras..

Whatever the case, good luck on your restoration endeavor and show us when it's all done !

I can live with that, and actually might help relieve some inner stress on trying to keep things so "legit".

Started on the Supra last night... stripped down all the way, hit the shell, hoops, and lugs with Brasso and aluminum foil... didn't get any after pics of the hoops or lugs yet, but they look spanky! Typical pitting on the shell that was somewhat hidden by 40 yrs of shmutz buildup.

before:

[img]http://i.imgur.com/UrLBlrl.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/G3wsWck.jpg[/img]

after:

[img]http://i.imgur.com/CdCZLEU.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/RqzlMIO.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/khyza0H.jpg[/img]

That outer seam you're showing looks pretty Ludwig to me. Very similar to a Pioneer I have. Also the mix 'n match casing interiors is something that could come on one drum from the factory though I could be wrong about that...there was some discussion here about the issue in reference to a Vistalite kit.

Mitch