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1920's Leedy Engraved Elite

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Picked up a 1920’s Leedy Engraved Elite that the shell had been painted white and the rims black. The person I bought it from had given up on trying to restore it. I knew beneath the paint and grunge was a snare that needed to be brought back to life. Will need to find a 3 point strainer as someone replaced it with another not period specific. Here are a few before and after pics. Not perfect but it has character and will sit with my other Leedy snares.

No Guru - I just love collecting & learning about vintage drums!

Some of my favorites from the kits in the collection
58 WFL New Yorker Blue Sparkle
67 Ludwig Hollywood Red Psychedelic
69 Ludwig Standard Red Ruby Strata
70's Ludwig BOP "Ringo" Kit

A few of my favorite snares
20's Leedy Black Elite
51 Leedy & Ludwig Knob Tension
58 WFL Buddy Rich Classic Blue Sparkle
63 Walberg & Auge Sea Blue Agave Green Pearl
66 Leedy Shelly Manne Blue Agate Pearl
Posted on 3 years ago
#1
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What a fantastic looking drum and what a great job you did on bringing this remarkable instrument back to her former glory! Amazing!!!

Brian

Just a drummer who loves all things about vintage drums! Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted on 3 years ago
#2
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375
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Amazing come-back, Michael .. !!

How long did it take, and can you share some about the procedure you used?

Thanks .. !!

Kev

Kevin
Posted on 3 years ago
#3
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From CTMichaelV

Picked up a 1920’s Leedy Engraved Elite that the shell had been painted white and the rims black. The person I bought it from had given up on trying to restore it. I knew beneath the paint and grunge was a snare that needed to be brought back to life. Will need to find a 3 point strainer as someone replaced it with another not period specific. Here are a few before and after pics. Not perfect but it has character and will sit with my other Leedy snares.

Given the original state, I'd say you did an admirable job! Thx for saving a piece of drum history from the bin!

Best wishes,

Bob

Posted on 3 years ago
#4
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It still baffles me that people paint beautiful drums like these.

Great job Michael on this, worth the labor for sure.

I have done a few myself, not extremely fun to do but worth it.

Nothing like the feeling of saving something like this in the end.

Wayne

Posted on 3 years ago
#5
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From kevins

Amazing come-back, Michael .. !!How long did it take, and can you share some about the procedure you used?Thanks .. !!Kev

Hey Kevin and fellow VDF members

The previous owner tried to remove some paint and put some scratches into it. I believe in chemistry . . . and gentile elbow grease

- Started with a Dawn bath to remove grunge

- Soaked the hardware in Evapo Rust overnight and then rinsed them off the next morning in warm water using a plastic bristle scrub brush.

- Coated the shell and painted rims in EZ Strip a paint and varnish remover and let them sit for about 4 hours, some of the hardware also needed this step. Used a plastic putty knife to remove as much of the paint as possible

- Recoated them with the EZ Strip and let them sit overnight.

- Next morning I went at them again with the putty knife to remove the residual paint then and put them in my utility sink under hot water and went at them with a plastic bristle scrub brush. That pretty much removed the majority of the paint from the shell, the rims and hardware.

- I used White Diamond metal polish on all the parts next to get any residual. Also used Mothers Mag Polish on the strainer, and tension rods.

- Last step was 3 coats of Meguiars Carnauba Wax and a buffer for each coat on the shell. The hardware and rims got 2-coats and hand rubbed with a micro fiber towel.

For all of my drum rebuilds I always give them 3 coats of Meguiars Carnauba Wax using a buffer. Really keeps them shining and repels tarnish.

Took quite a bit of time (8 + actual bench hours) but in the long run it was worth it as I think it came out great.

BTW - Don't forget to use latex or nitrile gloves. You have to protect the digits to be able to play it when your done !

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments !

No Guru - I just love collecting & learning about vintage drums!

Some of my favorites from the kits in the collection
58 WFL New Yorker Blue Sparkle
67 Ludwig Hollywood Red Psychedelic
69 Ludwig Standard Red Ruby Strata
70's Ludwig BOP "Ringo" Kit

A few of my favorite snares
20's Leedy Black Elite
51 Leedy & Ludwig Knob Tension
58 WFL Buddy Rich Classic Blue Sparkle
63 Walberg & Auge Sea Blue Agave Green Pearl
66 Leedy Shelly Manne Blue Agate Pearl
Posted on 3 years ago
#6
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255
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Well done! What a great drum.

Mike

Posted on 3 years ago
#7
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375
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Thanks for sharing the techniques and products .. !!

Well done !!

Kevin

Kevin
Posted on 3 years ago
#8
Posts: 3467 Threads: 116
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Great work Michael.. and obviously a very rewarding outcome for you... Love seeing these historic pieces being brought back to their former glory...

Cheers

John

'77 Slingerland 51N,Super Rock 24,18,14,13.. COW 8,10 Concert toms
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
Posted on 3 years ago
#9
Posts: 5291 Threads: 226
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Awesome save!! Kudos to you Sir!!

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 3 years ago
#10
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