Here are some more photos

Think you could securely plug the bolt holes & start the drilling from scratch.. Fabricate a metal plate (aluminium will do) around 1/2" larger than the mount plate and sandwich it between the mount and the shell... (round the corners and polish it up) ... Best I can think of...

Don't reckon any drum factory did that install..

Cheers

John

+1 on longjohn, i think tese would be best method and wan´t cost a lot! I am sure you will have the best benefit out of that without a lot of work or risking doing some more damage to the shell:-)

factis; I´s your drum....do what you think it´s the best...you have to play it :-)

best regards

Christian

What a mess. I usually mount a "delete plate" where the tom mounts go. A nice square stainless one to cover the mess. Mark the crooked bolt holes up from the inside to the "squared-up" plate. Grind off 4-1/4"carriage bolts heads flat and weld them to the crooked hole marks. Use a thin felt gasket and voila! all squared up and no ugly hole.

Gary is the mount a original Gretsch part? Period correct? If yes I'd leave it as is. But that's just me. Even if it's not a Gretsch part I'd probably leave it as is. I know you were thinking of selling these not long ago? It keeps them somewhat original leaving them as is. You can always just use 1 tom in a basket if you like the 1 up/down set up. Adding more holes and different hardware might not appeal to some if you decide to sell. If you leave the bass mount off just fashion a nice cover plate. Wood or metal and you can add a Gretsch logo/sticker to dress it up a bit maybe? Probably not what you want to hear sorry!

Replace the base plate with a Ludwig. It has the same pattern. That won't solve the crooked drilling but at least puts a workable plate there.

The Ludwig base will accept any 1" tube but if you need the spade for a diamond plate on the tom it might take some additional thought unless you want to use the original Gretsch double holder.

Lots of great ideas! Thanks.

Ya -

longjone - I would like to think this is NOT a 'factory' install. But what happened? Did someone do this install on a Factory virgin drum? Why so crooked? It looks like someone would have to deliberately drill this drum like this - I mean you pretty much have to go out of your way to do this much damage - I'm thinking.

FFR428 - I hear you regarding extra holes and the affect down the road re potential sale.

After pondering all this there are two options:

1) fix the holes to my satisfaction

2) leave it as it came to me and play the kit with one tom in a snare basket.

I set it up like 2) above when I got the kit and it is not bad at all actually. Check it out ....

In a dark room with some stage lighting this is all someone would see and it's not all that bad.

Again guys, it is really good to see all your feedback - it's always a good thing to have you weigh in ......lots of good ideas, thanks :)

I would cover the hole with a plate, put a piece of matching wrap on the plate. Then I'd install a rail mount for hanging the rack tom.

Here's some photos with more lighting. I think I will take the easy way out and leave the bass drum mount as is - it may come to have been a good choice when I'm gone and my wife and/or kids are trying to sell off my stuff

D' Drummer