I will DEFINITELY pick up the Igoe material. That video amazing. Just what I am needing presently. Many thanks for that!
Vibes, good idea. That was a clubbie floor tom originally. I went to the snare mount many years back as it gave me a nice arcuate layout. I mull converting it back to a floor tom from time to time. Easy enough to remount legs. Or I might add a 16x18 floor tom along the way. One nice thing is it's easy enough to make any additions match with the paint already on hand. I just have to talk my painter off the ledge. I sent him pictures of the kit. That should convince him it is a worthwhile endeavor.
Apparently, a decision was made in my absence (or dormancy) to make cymbal holes larger. My top hat will not fit onto the Gilbralter clutch and the small splashes won't fit over the washers on the cymbal stands. No big deal as the splashes are sorely lacking in quality (one I have had since I was 10) and will be replaced. Also my hats have a Zildjian top but a Camber bottom so will be swapping those out for a new pair soon.
Also restored a 70's(?) Gretsch snare that came my way in the early 80's. It had been re-wrapped in yellow, and got painted blue with the rest back in the day. Just put a badge on it this afternoon (It's never had one since I have owned it.) It came out sweet:
http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/3221/gretschsnare01.jpg
That, along with the converted concert tom are the beginning of a second kit I plan to leave at a friend's studio.
My 10 year old home sick from school yesterday and today and I cannot play, at least not properly. It's killing me. Tomorrow, however, I attack!