OK. I know. I'm getting old and nostalgic...
I will NEVER forget when Ludwig came out with their "octoplus" set in the early 70s. I was a young, impressionable drummer, and knew that's what I wanted! But, being somewhat financially challenged, a Ludwig "Rock Duo" set was as close as I came, and I gigged with that set literally all over the central plains of the USA until 1978 when that kit bought it in an accident and I ended up with my Pearls (and that story is in another thread on here somewhere!). Ever since I've dreamed of buying a complete set of 8 Pearl FG Concert toms to match my set... but the one time I did find them, the "financial challenge" thing raised it's head and before I could come up with the cash they sold...
Anyway, I've been going through a lot of my "stock" lately, and came up with an idea... Why not build one out of orphans?
So, here's what I'm going to use:
16x24 Pearl BD, Maple Shell 80s
16x22 CB700 BD, simple 80s MIT
2-16x16 FTs, simple 70s MIJ
6 & 8 toms, Corders cut-away marching toms 80s
8x12, 9x13, 10x14, 12x15, and 12x16 toms, all either Slingerland or Ludwig 3-ply with rings from the 60s/70s.
(I still need to locate a 10" tom -- Gerald Sterken, did I drop the ball with you on a deal for one last Christmas season???)
My idea will be to keep the 6 & 8 as single-headed cut-aways, but the rest of the toms will be double headed.
All drums will be drilled for 70s/80s Pearl lugs (which I have PLENTY of already). I've got enough PSA cherry (or could do birch) and will keep it natural for the finish with only sealer coats and top coat(s).
I'm probably going to need to purchase a few harware pieces.
And I'm off work tomorrow so I'm going to try and get some pics of the shells up sometime then for a good "before" picture. Then document the "build" along the way.
I've built custom sets for others... why not for myself?
Any thoughts are always welcome!