It's a bit of a mutant kit. It started off as a set of five 1970s Ludwig concert toms that I found in the back room of a local music shop... I picked them up for a song and figured I'd just find a bass drum to go with them and use the kit for all the prog rock that I love to play. (I'm a big fan of the sound Phil Collins got from his concert toms on the late 70s and early 80s Genesis records.)
Then I found a 20" Club Date bass drum to complete the set, but it came with a matching 8x12 tom. That got me thinking about buying a Club Date floor tom and piecing together a jazz-size kit so I could stop taking my 50s round badge kit out on gigs. I eventually picked up a keystone badge marching snare shell and some spare Club Date lugs, which I'm going to convert into a 12x15 floor tom.
So essentially this set has turned into two kits: one is a 70s kit with five concert toms; the other is a little Club Date jazz kit. All for less than $400.
Which brings us to the question of which finish to use on them when I piece them all together. While I was trying to choose between red sparkle and BDP, I came across this on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140335272475
It's a gorgeous Blue Peacock Satin wrap with enough to cover all nine drums. I know it's not an original Ludwig finish, but I've always loved Satin wraps. And this certainly isn't the kind of finish you see every day -- it's sure to attract a few eyes when I'm out gigging with it. (Assuming I ever gig again -- I've got a three-month-old girl who's taking up all the time I used to spend with the band!)
Thanks again for the advice. I wasn't sure about the Blick wrap -- the price was right, but I suppose there's no point applying a finish that will need to be replaced the first time I ding one of the drums against an amp while tearing down after a show. I'll keep you posted on the progress, and I'll post photos once I get started!
As an aside: I've been lurking on the forums for a while now, and can I say how lovely it is to have such a supportive group of people who all share a love of classic drums?
Cheers,
Paul