So, where will you position the blown hemi? I like your idea and the flames. Should be fun to look at and I look forward to your "after" pics. What color powder coat on the hardware?
As for what to call it, I'd just go with Cusomized MIJ. Prototype is unnecessary.
B
I think the problem here is that most on this forum are all about 'vintage', which translates to keeping things original - do not drill, do not re-wrap, etc. This is mainly for the purists, and the collectors and I certainly don't think that any offense was intended by anyone. Personally I think it's a great idea to work up a nice sounding MIJ kit, especially if they are orphans, or the original wrap was in bad shape, or unremarkable. If you're keeping the kit for yourself, or even doing it as a prototype for future projects, you go girl! Folks here are merely trying to point out the basic resale value issues as a caution. We're all friends here trying to help each other out. I love this forum!
[QUOTE=MutantMozart;152833]I objected to his tone "Call it Leroy", how offensive. Your comment "customized MIJs" was much more appropriate. I came here looking for constructive assistance and got techno bigotry instead.
Gee... I'm sorry that the name Leroy offended you. How about Bruce? Or Bernie? Maybe Lars? Or how about Ivan? Neville maybe? I have a Japanese friend named Yasihiko. He would be honored. By the way, please let me know how it is possible to perceive "tone" or inflection or nuance of the typed word. I would love to know how to do that. Obviously, I should have added: Name suggestion typed in jest. Hint....... You asked what to call them. I answered the question as asked. I try to avoid the use of emoticons. Instead, I hope the reader has some sense of humor. Shame on me for assuming too much. Good luck with your experiments in drum alchemy.
Thanks JR, that idea had occurred to me. I'm still thinking about it, though my concern is that by doing that, I'll wipe out a lot of the warmth these shells offer. That's what I really like about them. Still, I may try it on another kit down the road.
The inherent low-end punchiness and warmth of those shells is a function of their flexibility and low pitch. That won't disappear. If you use the FG resin, you will gain some attack because high frequencies will be reflected by the smoother surface, rather than refracted by countless large, open wood pores. More importantly, you reinforce a somewhat weak shell. You see, this is what made vintage Tama ImperialStar's so great, the addition of their "Zolacoat" epoxy coating over 9-ply lauan with rerings. The rerings raised the pitch of the shell enough to give the tone more "cut" and also stiffened it, while the Zolacoat added some attack, but the drums were still warm and punchy. Some of my favorite drums EVER! Conversely, lauan usually makes for lousy snares, and Tama was smart enough to NOT make matching wood snare drums.
I would call them "hot rodded".
I hot rod basket case drums, and am quite proud of them!!!! I will probably hot rod my Tama Rockstars and do something quite radical to them. I may go the epoxy route with a few bits of fibre glass to harden the interiors and do some stuff to the hardware. I may wrap them conventionally, or do something totally nuts.
As long as those shells get to live on as a drum kit and not become trash, what you're doing is TOTALLY cool!!
Ok, basically I am taking an old MIJ sencil kit and doing this to it: http://www.sharpyscustomcars.com/projects/8.jpgThat is, replacing the old wrap with a new exotic Lumigraf wrap. Replacing all the hardware with brand new powder coated lugs, rims and spurs, and dumping the old rail mount system and replacing with isolation mounts.It's basically going from an old jalopy of a practice kit (actually parts of two kits) to a large ultra high end gigging kit in every respect. Then I will badge with my own name.The question is, what do I call that? Strictly speaking it's not a new kit (although dollar for dollar about 98% of it will be), it's obviously not just a resto job either. It's a totally customized kit for sure, but I'm not sure what to really call it. A new custom kit? A customized kit? Maybe a hot rod kit? Any ideas?
You might wanna re-consider the powder coated hardware !! It looks great but don`t hold up well. It`s been tried by the best drum makers and abandoned !!
I paint the hardware with bed liner sauce- tough, durable, and goes with a hot rod sort of look.
