It's a "mod" only if you tell someone.

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If you replace a part with the same exact part that is in better condition, that should not be considered a modification. Many vintage drums that we own have replacements of the original hoops, tom and cymbal mounts, tension rods, snare strands, snare strainers and butts, screws, washers, nuts, bolts, internal tone controls, etc. with the exact same parts.

This question came to the fore (or at at least my consciousness) in relation to Cherie Willoughby of Repercussions. I believe she sold Repercussions some years ago (2011) and there are discussions here:

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=31703

although you seem to have dealt with Repercussions as recently as 2017 asking about whether or not a strainer is original or swapped.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=60404

The Repercussions.org site appears defunct now. Anyway, the long and the short of it was that some people accused Cherie of taking a cavalier approach to parts swapping. Repercussions may have swapped period and manufacturer correct parts, I don't really know. I also don't really care except that silently swapping (nearly) period correct parts negatively impacts careful research about just when some hardware changes happened.

Can a drum be called "all original" or "unmodified" when period and manufacturer correct parts are swapped? It is a question where there are going to be some strongly held opinions.

I would tend towards saying that the phrase "100% factory original" or "unmodified" should mean all the original parts as installed at the factory. If some need to be replaced because they are damaged, then perhaps the kindest thing to potential buyers is to say "some parts replaced with period and manufacturer correct parts". A little long winded, but communicates the flavor of it.

I agree that the problem is with disclosure. I have a few old Ludwig drums and no way to know if the parts are as installed in the factory or if some were swapped out before I bought them. Given the way Ludwig did their assembly from bins of parts, how much should we really care whether a lug or tension rod came from the original assembly from the bin on the day? Does it really matter if a tension rod or lug came from the bin a month after the snare was shipped, but was substituted 43 years later?

There does seem to be a bit of "wiggle room" in terms of 100% factory original when it comes to the parts which wear out: heads and snares. People seem to be able to say "all factory original except the heads and snares" without things getting out of hand.

The hardware is universal, period but the shells are unique to themself ...

I would not consider the drum in your scenario to be "modified".

I would not consider the drum in your scenario to be "all original".

I would consider the drum in your scenario to be "restored" with exact OEM replacements of period correct parts. I would expect this scenario to be disclosed, if known, by the seller before funds change hands.

Wes

+1 with what Wes said. I really think that sums up my feelings. My 1966 Rogers Headliner has been restored with "exact OEM replacements of period correct parts."

-Mark

Agree with Wes and Mark. A restoration. Not modified, not 100% original. Replacement parts should be NOS or used OEM period correct originals. Reproduction parts should be disclosed.

I as well see nothing more than you doing what the factory worker did, put this one on instead of that one from the same bins.