Glenn - those re-rings look like Birds-eye maple! You can always use a clear head for the reso side so the wood shows a little. Beautiful drum. And I hear you... saving old drums can be expensive, sometimes things just have to wait.

Looks like I'll be beating you to the finish line after all! I heard back from Andrea at Precision and my Merlot wrap for the RB floor tom is on the way!!! Yee-ha! :p

I'll look forward to a progress report from you when you get back to these.

John

Walking John, that's great news on your wrap~! Glad to hear it'll be in your hands soon. I know your very excited to play them too! I can't wait to see them finished.

Yes indeed it can get expensive working on these old kits. I've been pretty lucky to get this far so soon. I thought it would take much longer but a few things fell into place. Hopefully I'll be back at them soon.

Thanks~!

Holy crap! That is birdseye! My mouth is watering, Glenn! I agree with John, that is gorgeous, and a clear head would allow you to show off the beauty of the inside of that drum. I love birdseye maple. I almost bought an early 2000s Mapex Orion kit several years ago because the outer ply was birdseye. Birdseye and curly maple are my favorites.

Anyway, I can't wait to see more.

Lynn

John, Lynn thanks and yes I think a clear head is the way to go. It's cool that's birdseye maple. I never knew much about it nor the name no less. Just thought it was kinda neat looking and different.

Glenn,

Fascinating post. Thanks for all the detailed info. My assumption is that the top clear layer is printed or dye sublimated using CMYK processes. That would only make sense. I am also pretty sure from discussing this with Andy Foote that he will print (have printed to be more accurate) whatever color you want. You are also correct in that this process works with sparkles (be it glass or glitter) as well as pearls. He has a great product but my guess is that his market is tiny indeed.

While not vintage, I saw a Crush kit the other day going out to rehearsals that was a red to orange fade glass glitter. Kinda made your mouth water. It made me want to call Andy and order some. By the way, I am also pretty sure he will send sample sheets on a loaner basis. He has the samples you see in the photos on laminated cards.

Lastly, that is very kind of you to offer to loan out your PMS swatches. Most guys would have no idea what those things cost.

Great post.

Thank you! That's cool he has color samples. That makes things so much easier being able to see them in person.

Well we're back at it. Up next is a new snare purchase. A 56-59 Radio King snare in WMP. Has some issues but overall nice drum. Clamshell strainer and all....sorta. I knew going in the CS strainer end was gone. And replaced with a Pearl BUT using the original holes for the Clam strainer. The butt end is still there. What I didn't know was how bent it was. Either tightened till she bent, dropped/banged or both. It's not bad to straighten out hopefully. I do not want to remove the factory pin crimped on each end. As that would be almost impossible to replace. So I'll try everything I can do to get it back in shape as is. If anyone has any advice, tips or ??? please chime in~!

1 more of the inside.......... Once I get the snare fixed up and back together I'll post some pics. Pretty much took it right apart to fix, clean and detail.

Also parts to finish up the kit will be ordered very soon. :)

And please see my WTB ad's for some snare parts I'll need to bring this one back to original. Need a clamshell strainer (I know good luck~!) and a NOB snare hoop.

This is what I did to remove the pins in dad's clamshell strainer & butt: I cut the pin in half with a hacksaw blade behind the shell. Took a little time, not a lot of room to saw. Then, for assembly, I used about a 3/8" long piece of small brake tubing to "splice" the pin back together and soldered it. Held it all together in a vise to get the correct tension in the bracket before soldering the pin together.