Woa dude, I wasn't saying destroy the wrap but I am sure there is a way to check without ruining what is there. I understand your love affair with black panther and would trade or sell you, first dibs, any drum that was just black panther. But,, if they were a mod finish under that wrap that only a mother could love it would be gone in a heartbeat.
Black Panther is such a fragile finish there is no way to "just check" under it without destroying it. Like I said before, its a myth that was started by one person who found one drum where this was the case....now everyone thinks EVERY drum finished in black panther is this way......kind of like the myth that Elvin Jones started about burying his cymbals in the yard to age them......now everyone wants to try it! (see other thread in the cymbal section if you haven't been following that ludicrous idea already) Why even take the chance to see if a Mod or some other finish is under it? In today's market, the rarer finishes don't bring the premium like they used to, so just leave it be as its already rare.
And I'm not using Ebay as a basis for the market, mainly because its the same 5 or 6 sellers on their asking the same no-sale ludicrous money for everything they have, and you all know who I mean too......I'm talking real market, vintage drum shows, drum shops, craigslist....its just not worth the risk of damage in my book. Besides, the owner of them obviously likes the black panther finish, it porbably took him a long time to find them. Suppose it does have an even rarer finish underneath, then what? Rip off the black panther to make a quick buck on whatever rarer, uglier finish is under there? Ok sure, but then he has to search for that black panther kit again, more time, effort and money.....so then he finds another, do we repeat the cycle again? It just makes no sense to me....I say leave them be, its a part of their history whether they have another finish under them or not. The factory sold them as black panther and thats what they should remain.
I would say the same about any finish, not just black panther. You don't hear much about anything being under white marine pearl or oyster black do you? Again, its a myth. Maybe it happened once, but it was not a regular occurance. Leave them as Ludwig intended.
:2Cents: ok I'm off the Soap Box