I talked to the owner of Jammin Sam personally today, he said that glueing could cause the wrap to crack because of how the glue interacts with the wood and that all the big companies now use tape. He also said there would be no difference in sound, that it's not the wrap, but the shell itself that dictates the tone of the drum. I talked to a friend who had re-wrapped his vintage Slingerland kit using the tape method from Jammin Sam, he told me he heard no difference in the sound and that the wrap looked great. I ordered the wrap and I'm going to use tape, I'll let you know how it comes out next week, thanks for all the responses.
[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][COLOR="Purple"]Yes, Sam can be VERY persuasive on the phone. When I tried to order wrap from him with the intention of gluing it on (mod Orange) he convinced me to buy the hi-bond tape. He simply won't let me buy HIS wrap & then use the glue method. :D
I have built 5 kits in the last year: 1 was Arctic Oyster '69 Ludwigs(Precision Method), another was Mod Orange 2001 Ludwig Accent Custom(Jammin' Sam method). Stay tuned, I will add some pics this evening and do the comparison.
Here are a few of MY observations:
1. I do not believe that the double-stick tape approach will hinder the resonance of a drum. I consider this a myth, as would JohnnyRingo.
2. I DO believe that in the 'long run', a wrapped drum will weather the elements much better and it WILL outlive a tape job if exposed to harsh elements and gigging. But the wrap method is a 'built to last' mentality that barely exists in our culture anymore.
3. I also agree that most major manufacturers are now using the tape method which (a) saves time & $$ (b) doesn't change sonic properties
4. I think that in the future "higher end" manufacturers and drum builders will use glue method & anything lower on the totem pole will be double-taped. (this may already be the practice of the industry, but I am not an "industry spokesman", just an elf that won't stop making drums
5. THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION OF ALL is this: vintage drums are better with the glue method because they are more prone to inconsistencies, anomalies, the Ludwig Hump, etc. Not to mention how they get carved up a little when some 30-50 yr old wrap is removed. :o
Modern drums of 20 yrs or less have probably been covered in the tape method already are MUCH more likely to be a nice smooth cylinder that wrap will cling to with almost no air pockets or loose spots.
CONCLUSION: When in Rome, do as the Romans. Consider the type of wrap you are removing, as that should be your first choice for your appraoch to re-wrapping the shell.
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