I tend to like my drums a bit "weathered" as well.

"What's So Bad About Fade, Rust and Separation" Wasn't this the name of an Elvis Costello song?

I say there's nothing wrong with a bit of "pride of ownership" when you're not playing that kit, plus I don't think it really takes that much time to periodcally pretty-up the kit.

It was actually called What's so Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding.

Like an old car, if you don`t keep up with the rust, it falls apart.

Same with drums, if you don`t keep up with the rust, wrap and wood,...you end up with a non original parts drum or a patched up shell or just plane parts and firewood.

Dust and dirt hold moisture, moisture is a drum`s worst enemy.

I don't think the car/drum comparison is a fair analogy, unless you're just referring to cosmetics. I'm not talking about not taking care of your gear, I'm saying that some go a bit overboard. If a drum has a few battle scars from years of playing, but is otherwise in good condition, why mess with it? I'm not a collector, so minor imperfections in the finish don't bother me. I had a nice black diamond pearl Duplex kit with a cigarette burn on top of the kick. It gave the kit character, maybe a jazz drummer from years ago placed his cigarette on the kick during a long solo or maybe it just fell out of his mouth while playing. Whatever the case, it was only on the wrap and the kick was still structurally sound, so I left it alone for all to ponder how it got there.

Just a personal preference is all it is. Some guys will will re-wrap and entire kit because of fade or tom rash or whatever. Then there are guys like you and me that like the wear and tear to a degree. I agree with you totally on the cigarette burn, but I think its okay to clean the drums, I wouldnt want dust and rust on them. One of the coolest kits I saw for sale her was a Slingerland kit, cant recall the finish but it was faded so bad it was cool. In my business you have the customer that wants everything absolutely perfect and will inspect with a magnifying glass, then there are the ones that cant even see the imperfections, looks at the job as a whole. So it just depends on the individual.

I would have left the cigarette mark there too. But I would remove all rust and take steps to prevent it from traveling further. Same with the wood, it needs wax or a finish to keep up with.

I would keep the character of things like that too. A 30`s Black Beauty is worth ten times more to a collector, untouched and faded, than fully restored. Surface cleaning is all one should ever do to one.

I agree, leave the cigarette burn, leave the writing on the inside of the shell that has the names of the previous owners that played it with pride, and a 30`s Black Beauty should show its age.

But I also think the refurbishing depends on what it is used for (show or play) and mainly the drum itself, it's story. I have a 1920's CG Conn perforated shell snare that was buried under a lot of grime and rust. It is a beautiful work of art that IMHO needed to shine like the day it was new. So it got lots of hours of attention on the buffing wheel and work to the cracked and chipped rims. Yes pictures will be posted soon, before and after. I also have some 1900's Oliver Ditson snares that have nicks, gouges, patina, grime on the calf skin heads that will remain that way until they depart their way from my collection on to the next person. They tell a story and their story is evident from looking at them. So, as I said in the beginning, I think it depends on what the drum will be used for and the drum itself. . . . IMHO

Michael

We all should learn lessons from Curotto, He does old drums the justice they deserve.