I'd go with the older wooden hoops, refinish them, and install a contrasting inlay.

Silver sparkle, chrome..... whatever floats your boat, and wait for some with faded blue blue sparkle to pop up....... and it might be a very long wait.

I once used red "candy apple" model paint over gold sparkle inlays to match tangerine sparkle. Worked great, maybe try some silver sparkle and a matching "candy apple" paint.

Hey, Retrosonic! Several weeks ago, I purchased a MIJ kit with missing bass inlays. The rest of the set was done in blue sparkle which had darkened and faded over the years. The wrap was mint though! I too bought blue sparkle inlays from Precision so I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. I had thought about silver or black sparkle but, decided to get the wrap as close as possible. It is not close but, it is at least a shade of the original. The more I look at it, the happier I am. Kinda cool. Finding the original wrap may prove next to impossible.

Brian

Thanks for your comments guys. What I'm thinking is that I may go with Kevins idea and refinsh the wood hoops and install a chrome inlay. I happen to have a roll of chrome tape finish that looks amazing.....you would think it was real chrome. I'll see how that goes.

Pics when I am done!!

I spoke to a printing guy who said he could take a scan from the wrap on the drums and print a vinyl inlay to match. It wouldn't sparkle but may get the right shade. I haven't tried it yet but I'm thinking of giving it a go for my Hayman hoops.

Take a hi-res pic of the faded wrap, and order a custom wrap sheet from one of the major suppliers. Wouldn't that work? You have to get a whole sheet, but you could do a few snares to match or something with the extra. Just a thought!

Adam

Adam, yes that would technically "work", but who wants to pay for a whole sheet just to get inlays.

A cheaper way would be to buy a really trashed drum that has the faded BS wrap, and cut enough strips off to make inlays.

Even getting a shell on the cheap, it could be a bad move.... wrap is fragile, and removing it without ruining it is always a crap shoot.

I like the looks of contrasting in-lays in situations where I can't find a wrap to match what's on the drums themselves. It gives the kit a somewhat "unique" (although unoriginal) look.