Here's my take on already severely disfigured, barn-fresh drums:If the wrap has no means of being salvaged, mod the bejeezers out of it and let them live on as hot-rodded drums. I am picking up a cool Slingerland kit tonight (as a trade), and she's close to mint- there ain't no way on G'd's green earth that I will do anything other than detail and play the p*ss outta them!!! As far as hammering the cymbals, I suggested it 'cos I have seen and heard great results from b8 Sabians being re-hammered. No, it isn't so simple, but it is not impossible to learn, either. It was merely a suggestion...As far as rushing this dude off, let the moderator decide that. Let's be friendly and open.
I've got nothing against mods, especially if the condition of gear is dicey. But..if the condition is good and it sounds great I generally don't mess with it. Mr Lud is now referring to websites where they hammer vintage cymbals from the '40s to the '60s as evidence that its OK. While its certainly not immoral or illegal, it begs the question why acquire vintage cymbals in the first place if you're going to change what made them desirable in the first place..
For me, the sound is everything. My son'e ex teacher acquired an old K 20inch ride that had been stashed in a barn, of all places, for 20 to 30 years. It truly looked like crap, stained,weathered and with a particularly ugly black-brown patina. But it was the sweatest sounding K we had ever heard. He dusted it off and plays it as is. Why would he risk altering, even minutely, the best sounding cymbal he ever owned just so it sparkled?