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Cleaning up the shell of a 1908 Lyon Healy Single Head Snare

Posts: 876 Threads: 77

Hi gang,

I have a 1908 Lyon Healy Single Head Snare that I picked up a few years back and am finally getting around to cleaning it up.

I reached out to Jeff of JC cabinets after seeing the amazing job he did on his Mutts kit and thought i'd reach out to our gurus also.

I need some input on how to clean up the exterior grime and the interior haze. I don't want to sand it down and re-stain it but was not sure on the best approach given the age etc.

I read a lot on using tung oil and 0000 steel wool but was not sure if that was the rout to take.

I already took off all the hardware and they are NOB and cleaned up really nicely with some vinegar and then Mothers chrome polish.

Also, never saw red silk-type snares like this for a drum of that age, not sure if they have already been replaced? Anyone else have a drum like this and can let me know what snares are used?

I can get gut snares from Matt of CTProPercussion as he is already making me a replacement head.

Any input and assistance is greatly appreciated.

BTW, I will also use the same approach on my next project . . . a 20-lug Duplex that needs some love (also attached a picture).

Thanks

Michael

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 7 years ago
#1
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

OK, I`m lost,....Is the wires and throw interior or exterior ? Hard to tell from the picss.

Don`t use the steel wool, the oil and other furniture restorers/cleaners will be enough. The inside, beeswax does not darken the wood after it dries.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 7 years ago
#2
Posts: 876 Threads: 77

OB

The wires and strainer are all on the inside of the drum. This is a single head snare.

Thanks for the recommendation on the furniture restorer/cleaner, any recommendation on a brand you have used? I have some beeswax for the interior I can use.

I'll post pictures after it is completed (need to get it done and pick up the new head when back in CT)

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 7 years ago
#3
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375

A little Pledge or Behold and a t-shirt is as far as I would go.

A 109 year-old drum has earned the right to look like a 109 year-old drum IMO..

Here's her cousin....about the same age....I went a bit far on the restoration, upon reflection

1 attachments
Lyon @ Healy 001.jpg
88.8 kB
Kevin
Posted on 7 years ago
#4
Posts: 876 Threads: 77

Thanks Kevin,

I also have the cousin snare your showing. That one is in one line to get some attention.

Michael

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 7 years ago
#5
Posts: 375 Threads: 36

Do you mean single tension instead of single head? Look like the drum has, or can have a battery and a resonant head.

Posted on 7 years ago
#6
Posts: 876 Threads: 77

JimO,

The top row of pictures are the drum I am referring to. The bottom picture is the next one in line to be cleaned. It is definitely a single head snare, manufactured by L&H in or around 1908. The one Kevin is showing is a dual head snare. I have one like that also but is down the list for attention. Was trying to see if anyone had some proven results to remove 100+ year old grime and to bring it back to life.

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 7 years ago
#7
Posts: 375 Threads: 36

Thanks for clarifying.

Posted on 7 years ago
#8
Posts: 876 Threads: 77

I finally finished the clean up of the drum and wanted to share the final with everyone.

Yea I got a bit distracted from my first post . . .

No sanding, just cleaned up the hardware to remove the rust and have it shine a little, cleaned and protected the shell and rims with some Pledge and a few coats of Minwax brand Finishing Wax, new head courtesy of Matt at CTPro Percussion and here it is.

Thanks to everyone for their input and help on this.

Michael

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 6 years ago
#9
Posts: 6432 Threads: 290

Looks great, I dont remember being much help but you did get great advice from the guru's. Cool drum, thanks for sharing the project with us!


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 6 years ago
#10
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