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Rogers/Blaemire restoration project

Posts: 321 Threads: 75

I don't post over here much...but this is a pretty interesting vintage project that I am working on, and a buddy who frequents here suggested I post this.

If you don't know much about Blaemire drums....they are a spun fiberglass shell, made by one man, in his garage, starting in the late 60's. His name was Allen Blaemire.

Hal Blaine played Blaemire concert toms (6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16) on most of the records he did in the 60's and 70's.

This Blaemire drum set, was a one owner kit, wrapped by Valley Drum, and assembled by the owner (from Texas) in the 70's that is in great shape. The silver sparkle has faded, and "Champagned", and has butt seams that are pulling apart, but the Rogers hardware is in unbelievable shape. No extra holes. The snare is all Dynasonic parts on the fiberglass shell. I have all the bass hoop claws and rods...I took them off to show the fiberglass inside.

My plan is to strip the wrap, and finish them like most of my Blaemire's.....raw fiberglass. The last picture is of the one finished tom.

The Hollywood vintage show is in two weeks.....I just may take them, if they are ready.

Come check them out, if you are going to the show.

[IMG]http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Rogers-Blaemire%20001%20%28Small%29.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Rogers-Blaemire%20007%20%28Small%29.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Rogers-Blaemire%20002%20%28Small%29.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Rogers-Blaemire%20008%20%28Small%29.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/9x13%20Blaemire%20005%20%20%28Small%29.JPG[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Rogers-Blaemire%20013%20%28Medium%29%20%28Small%29.jpg[/IMG]

"Blaemire Archaeologist"
Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375

Freakin awesome!

Never knew what raw fiberglass looked like!

Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 712 Threads: 24

I was always interested in the Hal Blaine connection.

He used to run an ad in Downbeat magazine in the 70's. I ordered, under some sort of 1976 Fibes influence I suppose, a shell in midnight blue pearl from A.F. Blaemire that I used with my Gretsch set. If memory serves me correct it was around $40. I replaced the wood snare shell with it, and used that through the mid 80's when I went back to the original wood shell.

From my current vantage point I kinda wonder what the heck I was thinking that fiberglass would sound better than wood, and I sold the shell on eBay a few years ago.

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 2444 Threads: 288

Jerry! I've never seen you over here, glad to see a familiar avatar...I hope you are bringing those to the show, I didn't get a shot at the "other" kit last year, hoping to give 'em a test ride this year.

Nice work, as always, you can always rewrap 'em Bowing

Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 9 Threads: 1

Very cool.

Thanks for posting.

BM

Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 321 Threads: 75

From backbeatkeeper

Jerry! I've never seen you over here, glad to see a familiar avatar...I hope you are bringing those to the show, I didn't get a shot at the "other" kit last year, hoping to give 'em a test ride this year.Nice work, as always, you can always rewrap 'em...

Thanks Gary

I will be bringing them to the show. I just finished the floor tom last night and should finish the snare this week. The bass drum will be where a lot of work goes, but I think I can make it happen.

Are you still coming to the show? How is Dave doing?

I hope to see you both there.

Jerry

"Blaemire Archaeologist"
Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 2628 Threads: 40

From MastroSnare

From my current vantage point I kinda wonder what the heck I was thinking that fiberglass would sound better than wood, and I sold the shell on eBay a few years ago.

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Mmmm....yeah....the idea seemed to have a lotta potential back then, but time is the ultimate judge...and I gotta say, I haven't come across a fiberglass shell which sounds anywhere near as good as wood.

Nevertheless, an interesting bit of drum history to be working with....have fun ! I gotta say, you do a good job of finishing the raw shell..it almost looks like a creme swirl wrap....

(I do sorta wonder why he used other companies' hardware on the shells, though ? That sorta makes me a bit prickly when folks do that.....

Or did he just sell his shells sans hardware and let the customer do the rest ??? )[/COLOR]

www.2ndending.com
Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 321 Threads: 75

From Jaye

[COLOR="DarkRed"]....I do sorta wonder why he used other companies' hardware on the shells, though ? That sorta makes me a bit prickly when folks do that.....Or did he just sell his shells sans hardware and let the customer do the rest ??? [/COLOR]

Allen only made and sold the shells, as well as multible drum wraps.

It was also a time, when you could order any and all hardware for your projects, right from the drum manufacturers....through a drum shop of course.

"Blaemire Archaeologist"
Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 2444 Threads: 288

From Drumjinx

Thanks GaryI will be bringing them to the show. I just finished the floor tom last night and should finish the snare this week. The bass drum will be where a lot of work goes, but I think I can make it happen.Are you still coming to the show? How is Dave doing? I hope to see you both there.Jerry

I'm still coming to the show, Dave is still bedridden, but he walks a block a day to gain his strength, I've been busy so I've talked on the phone, but haven't seen him. I'm gonna make a motivational trip this week to get him prepped for the show and bring him some more stuff for reading...

Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 712 Threads: 24

[IMG]http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Rogers-Blaemire%20007%20%28Small%29.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.iknowcss.com/jj/Rogers-Blaemire%20002%20%28Small%29.jpg[/IMG]

Why do the toms have "stacked" dual vent holes?

Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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