My note:Who really is going to be able to tell??? Your only returning it to it's original state.

I see a fair amount of white paint on those washers. It may have already been touched up here and there, anyway. In which case, painting them might be the thing to do. But, it's a 50/50 choice when it comes to these things. If I was sure the white paint was original, then I'd probably opt to keep it that way. But those washers indicate that touch ups have already "devirginized" the interior, anyway. I could be wrong in my suspicions, but none of my white painted interiors have white paint on the washers -just FYI.

But, it's a good question to ponder, because there are people who really want things the way they left the factory. The same thing has been asked about bass drum hoops, too. For me, I prefer all original gear in the kind of shape that doesn't require me to fix anything.

Look at it this way.....its only original ONCE. Its a personal choice, but to me I'd say leave them be. You can't see the insides once the heads are on anyway, right?

Listen, I say scrap that piece and go out and by a new kit...hehe And the scrap heap is in my backyard if you need a place to dump them.:cool:

They are your drums. Do what you want with them. The way I look at it, none of the drums in my house are ever going to get sold until I'm dead and gone and at that point I don't really care. I do try to keep them as close to original as possible but I'm sure some people roll their eyes at me restoring stuff.

I would vote repaint if they're pretty rough; I have a set that the tom is in really nice shape but the bass is atrocious, so it'll be getting some highlights! Most people I've talked to recommend Benjamin Moore Semi gloss Aquaglow white. Good luck!

Matt

I'd leave them alone, maybe a good cleaning though...

Mike Curotto

If I was buying them from you I'd rather have them in the original, rough shape for some reason - I guess it's like buying a car without bondo in it - you can see what you're getting.

I have a 70's P-Bass and there's no way I'd refinish it - notches on a gun.

I'd say a decent clean inside (even using very fine grit furniture polish). It's the interiors of the drums so most people won't see them in a gigging situation - and if you do ever decide to part with them, the hard core of collectors will genuinely discuss if the pristine white finish on the inside of the shells is "original" and will probably start to question the originality of other aspects of the drums (unfairly so but the one will probably lead to the other).

It sounds like you're not about to part with them.....but think if you do decide to.....

I doubt you'd be so tacky as to use CLEAR heads on those vintage cans, WOULD YOU??? So who's gonna see the insides??

Just clean 'em up, save yourself the trouble and potential for changing the way they sound buy spraying more paint on 'em.

Clean 'em, play 'em, LOVE 'em!!!!