John great thread~! Your post made me sit down and figure exactly what I have into each kit. Each has been sort of a oddball project in itself. Your 100% correct on project kits. My latest Rogers project will really be close on restoration cost vs retail. Starting with bare shells (nice wrap though) gets expensive!! You'd think I would have learned by now. ;)

Glenn - you shouldn't have any regrets about the investment. That Rogers kit is well worth all the effort you're putting into restoring it. Even if you end up spending what would be the full retail price for a kit like that one... how many kits like that one even exist? When finished, you'll have a wonderful set of drums for keepers and down the road, you, or the boys won't lose a penny of your investment on a resale. That kit is one of the exceptions to the rules. I mentioned in my original post that one of the considerations is the rarity of the project kit. Yours falls into that category. Like the Oaklawn Camco kit I built up from bare shells (with the exception of the bass drum,) 'some kits' are just worth the trouble and expense.

Can't wait to see that B&B Rogers kit done and ready to play!

BTW, if you don't have a snare drum for it... I have a Cleveland Powertone in WMP! It's a stunner and great sounding snare... just putting a bean in your ear if you don't have one. :p

John

Thanks John that's good to know. I wasn't really sure where these placed in the market. I'm making some progress but there's a long road ahead.

Yes we'll need to talk more about the Powertone! I thought you sold it a while back. I'm torn between a COB Dyna or one of those. I also have a very crazy idea for a project snare. All I need is the cash!! Cool1

Before I can do anything I have my SK pedal to send Bill. I'm very late getting that off to him. Once I wrap that up we'll talk about the PT of yours.

Thanks John!

Thought I would let you guys in on my current project and see what you think. I don’t have any pic yet but that’s not the point. The point is maybe someone can learn from my mistakes.

Ok, I purchased some shells from a member here. They are Ludwig shells, they are 3 ply with rings and had keystone badges. That member gave me a free 10x14 marching drum shell to convert into a normal 5.5" snare. It had a b/o badge and is a 5 ply, clear maple on the inside. He also provide enough lugs for all the drums (except the snare), some hoops for the bass drum and hoops for the toms, my not be Ludwig but we have hoops! Drum sizes are, 14x22, 9x13, 16x16, and either 5.5 or 6.5 x 14 snare.

Sorry, this going to be a long response but I hope someone will get the idea here of how much money you can pour into a project.

Ok, the plan is to get the Ludwig white color (need help with that please) for the interior of the drum and spray all of them with it.

Exterior will be a veneer, either Oak, walnut or birch. Final finish will be stain and lacquer.

I have been dealing with members here on VDF and ebay for the rest of the parts. I plan to make this a virgin bass drum and use a stand for the 13" Tom. So here is my shopping list, some items are an estimate cost at this point. I can give actual cost when I am done with this project.

22, 13,16, 14 shells, some rims and all lugs 190

Ludwig Snare lugs from ebay 20

60's Ludwig Snare hoops from ebay 28

Strainer and butt, P85 30 estimate

Snare drum muffler 20 estiame

new tension rods for snare and toms from jamin sam 40 estimate

20 used Ludwig rods and claws for bass from VDF member 100 estimate

Bas drum spurs, modern fold up type. 50 estimate

Floor tom leg mounts, new from VDF member 24

Floor tom legs, new from Jamin Sam 25 estimate

Veneer 50 estimate

Veneer adhesive 35 estimate

Level sealer Free, from shop 0

Top coat Free, from shop 0

Stain Free, from shop 0

Heads 153

4 reproduction keystone badges 80

Total cost 845

So when complete, we will have a 60's Ludwig kit, 13,16,22 with matching snare. Virgin bass drum, some parts old, some new. Beautiful painted ineteriors, proffesionaly finished exterior in walnut, oak or birch with repop keystone badges. My cost 845.00. Could I sell this to someone for 845.00? I would say no.

Wow! Thanks for sharing that Jeff. That is a sobering post. The final analysis will likely come down to - this is a labor of love thing. There is more to restoring drums than the dollars and cents (not sense in my case).

Though I'm doing my restore on the cheap (Star kit) occasionally I wonder what the heck I'm doing. But, learning and having fun will bring me more joy than buying one "off the shelf". But that would be fun too. hehe

-Doug

Based on your past work, this is going to be an awesome kit.

But you're right about not being able to sell it for $845. Not to depress you even more or that you haven't already thought about it, but this doesn't even include your labor. CryBaby How many hours do you think it will take?

Unfortunately, this proves a point that there is money to be made in parting out drums. :mad:

Bottom line ... this will be a "brand new" players kit when finished.

-Tim

And knowing Jeff's work, it will be spectacular indeed. Another kit that will be better than the day it left the factory.

Doug, I agree there is more to it than money. I find this to be a very fun hobby and if I end up selling for 500.00 then I didnt loose 345.00, I spent that money having fun doing the work. People spend money playing golf, same thing. If I could sell it for 845 and break even it would be a free hobby! But Im not worried about it, Im having fun.

Tim, I have no idea how many hours it will take. I never keep track of that becuse it is just a hobby. Thanks for your kind repsonse, Im not depressed, lol.

The point of this is to give others an idea of how much cash they will need to do a project like this or something like it. Im sure there are better ways of going about it, I still consider myself a beginer.

I think this is where the parting of the ways happens. You are not going to get+ money from some vintage fanatic who wants to see the all original pristine and shuns reworked or rewrapped kits, no matter how good it is. But, if you can find the right buyer without the vintage fanatic pooping in your pie, you just might make money on that set from someone who wants exactly what you are offering.... vintage sound and vibe in a pro level set that will cost about a third of any fly by night "custom" company.

I like your choice of words, and they make a lot of sense. Very good input!