I know it looks bad to you, but it's not!! but is a fairly easy repair, and fairly common with these old shells, the hide glue deteriorates and the wood plies, and re rings. do exactly what you have photographed for us to see. they separate,

http://vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=10997

I just did this on a video. That is exactly what I am repoairing. If you can, find a good epoxy that is designed for wood or a multi-use type, and follow the instrions to mix. I don't make upo a lot because it takes so little to make the repair. I would do it for you, if you want. I don't charge an arm and a leg either.

Thanks so much, what kind of epoxy do you use?

Also, what about this mystery bump in the middle of the shell?

That "bump" is likely where the plies are wrapped into each other, sort of one into the other. I'll get back to you on the epoxy. Be very careful with it, this is a Slingerland, my drum is a MIJ, and getting the epoxy on it doesn't matter as much because I planned on re-contouring it to begin with I highly suggest a practice run on some other stuff fisrt to see how epoxy works, and also find out a good remover to get any excess off the edges. You will only want to do a very light amount of sanding on this shell because it is a Sling. Good Luck with it!

Thank you for your help with the snare. I followed the video and your directions and everything came out great! The snare is tuned and plays wonderfully, I could use some new heads though.

[IMG]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D0D9KtD2-Xs/S2ZcpUH6y-I/AAAAAAAAAgc/VXOL4W8SWhQ/s512/Photo0116.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D0D9KtD2-Xs/S2Zcp1ZYn-I/AAAAAAAAAgg/KI38M30dhbI/s512/Photo0115.jpg[/IMG]

Is the bump horizontal all the wat down the shell? if not, how big is the bump?

There are two bumps, you can see/feel them under the wrap, each in the same Y axis, one about 1/4 of the way up, and the other 3/4. they are about 1/4 in high, and i can feel on the inside the corresponding indentation. Now I am pretty sure they are bad cracks in the shell, the top metal rim has a 1/4 in crack on the topside. Looks like the snare was dropped from a high place, or thrown hard. I've repaired all I can see, and the integrity of the shell seems to be pretty good; it doesnt seem to flex when I try to manipulate those bumps or the areas around them

Sorry there are no pictures of the bumps, but it's impossible to see them in a picture.

You can inject good wood glue inside the bump from the inside of the shell and clamp the sh*t out of it. I did that to 2 of my black panther shells and it worked perfectly. it's demonstrated on my Black Panthers thread on restoring vintage drums