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Lyra/Majestic MIJ Kit - Restoration

Posts: 176 Threads: 7
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Hello folks, I'm new to these forums, and this being my first post I figured I'd introduce myself here. I'm Mike, and my pride and joy is a 1969 Rogers Holiday Londoner outfit from Dayton in black diamond pearl wrap which I've owned for about 17 or 18 years now. I use both a late-60s Gretsch wood snare wrapped in white marine pearl and a 1968 Ludwig Supraphonic depending on my mood.

That said, I just picked up this MIJ kit in fairly sad shape on Monday for $125. So while I'm not new to vintage drums, this will be my first restoration. Not sure what my end goal will be, but I have some ideas. The drums included in the sale were a 14x22 kick, 9x13 rack tom, 5x14 snare, all with Lyra badges, and a 14x14 6-lug floor with a Majestic badge (though I think I recall the seller's ad described it as a Whitehall). Also included was the tom arm with what looks to be a mount for an additional accessory, a straight cymbal stand (brand unknown), a brown metal disc that some might say resembles a cymbal, both in appearance and sound (though I have my doubts), and a CB-700 chain driven kick pedal.

The Lyra drums look to be 3-ply luan while the Majestic FT is 1-ply, all with reinforcement rings. One of the previous owners (not the guy I bought it from) added some pretty ugly copper contact paper over the original vinyl wrap, which is blue glitter. The guy who sold it to me stripped the paper off the snare, and yesterday I stripped the two toms down to the original wrap (pictures to come later). All resonant heads, hoops and tension rods are missing, the snare is has no strainer, butt, or snares, the floor tom has a snare side hoop on top (but can't be used for the snare due to the number of lugs), and a couple lugs are missing their mounting screws or washers...but all the existing hardware, with a few exceptions, seems to be in pretty decent shape with little rust and pitting.

The original blue glitter wrap looks to be in ok shape, but it's hard to tell because the contact paper left a pretty thick layer of adhesive all over the wrap. I'd love to find a magic solution to strip the adhesive without damaging the vinyl (so far I've tried Goof Off, non-acetone nail polish remover, and hot water, and only the hot water gave adequate results without damaging the wrap), but I feel that even if I managed to get rid of it all, it would take a miracle to get the finish to shine again. I'm leaning towards rewrapping it, but I'd prefer not to spend money if I don't have to.

So, back to what ideas I have for this kit, none of which are set in stone:

1. Full restoration, keeping as close to original as possible, then sell.

2. Full restoration, rewrapped in a different color, then sell (or keep if I get attached :cool: ).

And then there's this 3rd option that keeps nagging at me...

3. I'm most excited about this 14" floor tom--it's a pretty rare and thus very sought-after size for Rogers owners--so depending on how it sounds (it actually sounds pretty good even with no resonant head and an old Remo Emperor batter), I've considered filling/redrilling to be an 8-lug drum, finding some more Rogers beavertail lugs, wrapping it in BDP and adding it to my Rogers kit. Obviously this would require the most work and the results may disappoint (we're talking a MIJ single-ply Phillipine mahogany imposter surrounded by arguably the zenith of American-made vintage maple drums), so I'm still up in the air on this option...plus it would potentially make the rest of the kit harder to sell without a floor tom.

So this thread will document the restoration process. All comments and suggestions are welcome! Glad to be a part of this forum.

Now for the photos...first, some eye candy!

1969 Rogers Holiday - 8x12, 9x13, 16x16, 14x20, with 5x14 Gretsch snare

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4417.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4418.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4420.jpg[/IMG]

Vintage kits:
1969 Rogers Holiday - black diamond pearl (20/16/13/12)
196x Star (Lyra/Majestic) - blue sparkle pearl (22/14/13) Restoration Project
1987 Pearl KC-3500 - jet black (22/16/13/12)
Not-so-vintage kits:
2007 Hart Dynamics Professional 6.4 e-kit / Roland TDW-20
Snares:
60s Gretsch 5x14 maple WMP / 68 Ludwig 5x14 Supraphonic / 93 Pearl 3x14 Free Floating brass piccolo / 60s Star (Lyra) 5x14 luan blue sparkle pearl / 87 Pearl 6.5x14 steel
Posted on 7 years ago
#1
Posts: 176 Threads: 7
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And here's the restoration project:

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4690.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4697.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4704.jpg[/IMG]

Black electrical tape was installed on the bass hoop. I removed it and found a loose blue glitter insert underneath that will likely need to be replaced (or cleaned really, really thoroughly):

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4706.jpg[/IMG]

Not sure if I'd ever seen a center re-ring before. There's also one in the floor tom.

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4699.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4695.jpg[/IMG]

Vintage kits:
1969 Rogers Holiday - black diamond pearl (20/16/13/12)
196x Star (Lyra/Majestic) - blue sparkle pearl (22/14/13) Restoration Project
1987 Pearl KC-3500 - jet black (22/16/13/12)
Not-so-vintage kits:
2007 Hart Dynamics Professional 6.4 e-kit / Roland TDW-20
Snares:
60s Gretsch 5x14 maple WMP / 68 Ludwig 5x14 Supraphonic / 93 Pearl 3x14 Free Floating brass piccolo / 60s Star (Lyra) 5x14 luan blue sparkle pearl / 87 Pearl 6.5x14 steel
Posted on 7 years ago
#2
Posts: 176 Threads: 7
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Admittedly, I don't have a whole lot of experience with Lyra drums, but I'm skeptical of this claim:

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4696.jpg[/IMG]

Snare featuring no snares, with a beat-to-hell Remo "Soundmaster" head, complete with lots and lots of masking tape on the bottom. Basically a dead-sounding wood timbale in its current state.

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4703.jpg[/IMG]

I love the size of this drum.

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4691.jpg[/IMG]

Majestic...yet not quite professional...

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4692.jpg[/IMG]

And here's the mysterious round metal object...

[IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Vater/Drums/IMG_4693.jpg[/IMG]

Vintage kits:
1969 Rogers Holiday - black diamond pearl (20/16/13/12)
196x Star (Lyra/Majestic) - blue sparkle pearl (22/14/13) Restoration Project
1987 Pearl KC-3500 - jet black (22/16/13/12)
Not-so-vintage kits:
2007 Hart Dynamics Professional 6.4 e-kit / Roland TDW-20
Snares:
60s Gretsch 5x14 maple WMP / 68 Ludwig 5x14 Supraphonic / 93 Pearl 3x14 Free Floating brass piccolo / 60s Star (Lyra) 5x14 luan blue sparkle pearl / 87 Pearl 6.5x14 steel
Posted on 7 years ago
#3
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Welcome to the forum Mike!

You will find tons of great restoration info here. TONS!!!

To get that original blue glitter wrap to look as good as it can, I would try lighter fluid to remove the sticky residue. Just grab a large bottle of Ronsonol and get to work. In my experience, lighter fluid works the best and will not damage the wrap.

Once all the residue is gone, you'll want to polish the shells. Novus #2 is popular around here, but it can be hard to find. None of my auto or hardware stores sell it anywhere here. I good substitute is Plastix by Meguiar's, available at any auto parts store. It's made specifically for plastics, and it's essentially car wax and polish, but for plastic materials. It will also leave the wrap nice and smooth.

Once they are all shined up, put them in direct sunlight and be mesmerized by the glitter. No joke, it will look amazing!

Keep the photos coming of your progress!

I've never seen a double tom holder like that. Usually, the "U" shaped piece is either both "clip"/"thumb" mounts, or both L-arms. I've never seen one that was one of each. Maybe it's been modified? Also, it will be interesting to see if there are holes for a cymbal bracket/holder on the bass drum when you remove that contact paper. It would be towards the front head, in about the 10 o' clock position when looking at the bass drum from the front.

I bet that cymbal sounds like a beauty! LOL

Posted on 7 years ago
#4
Posts: 176 Threads: 7
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Great suggestions, thanks vyacheslav! I've found Novus #2 online, so I can always order it if I can't find it locally. I'll probably be picking up some lighter fluid on the way home. I'm surprised Goof Off didn't seem to be doing much (except fading the wrap), so I hope lighter fluid takes that glue off easier. I've also heard that carnauba wax should be applied after polishing, is that necessary?

I've never seen a double tom holder like that. Usually, the "U" shaped piece is either both "clip"/"thumb" mounts, or both L-arms. I've never seen one that was one of each. Maybe it's been modified? Also, it will be interesting to see if there are holes for a cymbal bracket/holder on the bass drum when you remove that contact paper. It would be towards the front head, in about the 10 o' clock position when looking at the bass drum from the front.

My guess is that the tom mount was modified. Like you, I've only seen pictures of double "clip" mounts on these MIJ kits. Regarding the cymbal bracket, check photo #4 in post #2 above. I forgot to mention that when I took the photos, the batter head was mounted to the reso side, judging from the location of the spurs. As you can see in the pic, there's the cymbal bracket on the left side in front of the batter hoop. What's odd is that if I flip the drum around (so the cymbal bracket and spurs are closer to the resonant side), the tom mount is closer to the batter side. Seems to be the intent, judging from the few pics I've seen of similar kits:

[IMG]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/cb/79/8b/cb798b47bcd18b0cdccbdd1b8bf587c4.jpg[/IMG]

It would definitely be cool to find a ride cymbal arm to fit that bracket...

Vintage kits:
1969 Rogers Holiday - black diamond pearl (20/16/13/12)
196x Star (Lyra/Majestic) - blue sparkle pearl (22/14/13) Restoration Project
1987 Pearl KC-3500 - jet black (22/16/13/12)
Not-so-vintage kits:
2007 Hart Dynamics Professional 6.4 e-kit / Roland TDW-20
Snares:
60s Gretsch 5x14 maple WMP / 68 Ludwig 5x14 Supraphonic / 93 Pearl 3x14 Free Floating brass piccolo / 60s Star (Lyra) 5x14 luan blue sparkle pearl / 87 Pearl 6.5x14 steel
Posted on 7 years ago
#5
Posts: 771 Threads: 132
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Guaranteed that under that mac-tack is the original sparkle finish....Blue? In a lot of cases, when people apply that stuff to the original finish, it actually preserves what is underneath. Take a peak by lifting a piece of the seam.

Keep fixing them up...
Posted on 7 years ago
#6
Posts: 176 Threads: 7
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So far it's all intact and in pretty good shape from what I can tell. I haven't yet taken pictures, but as I mentioned above, I've already uncovered both toms, and the previous owner uncovered the snare. The only drum left is the bass, and yes, it too has blue glitter wrap. I plan on tackling it tonight or tomorrow.

Vintage kits:
1969 Rogers Holiday - black diamond pearl (20/16/13/12)
196x Star (Lyra/Majestic) - blue sparkle pearl (22/14/13) Restoration Project
1987 Pearl KC-3500 - jet black (22/16/13/12)
Not-so-vintage kits:
2007 Hart Dynamics Professional 6.4 e-kit / Roland TDW-20
Snares:
60s Gretsch 5x14 maple WMP / 68 Ludwig 5x14 Supraphonic / 93 Pearl 3x14 Free Floating brass piccolo / 60s Star (Lyra) 5x14 luan blue sparkle pearl / 87 Pearl 6.5x14 steel
Posted on 7 years ago
#7
Posts: 771 Threads: 132
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Sweet deal @ $150 and a bit of elbow grease for a Slingerland stencil kit.

Keep fixing them up...
Posted on 7 years ago
#8
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Be sure to use backing plates on the BD leg mounts.

All those drums look like sweet drummage! That Star made MIJ will sound great when you get it done! Pearl cymbal stand BTW. Lovin' the MIJ cymbal too! I have several - they all look delicious and some even sound decent :)

Loved White-water rafting down the Nu back in my college days - early 90s. Beautiful part of our country you live in there!

I had a great day! Instead of sleeping in and wasting the day, I got up at 8 and I had all my slacking done by noon!

2Timothy1:7
Posted on 7 years ago
#9
Posts: 176 Threads: 7
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From drumfx

Sweet deal @ $150 and a bit of elbow grease for a Slingerland stencil kit.

$125 actually. :)

From Drummerjohn333

Be sure to use backing plates on the BD leg mounts.

Good call, I'll see if I can find something suitable. Unfortunately, there's already some bowing/denting of the shell where the spurs mount. There's some more of that on the floor tom from just the lugs, that one-ply shell is pretty delicate it seems.

Loved White-water rafting down the Nu back in my college days - early 90s. Beautiful part of our country you live in there!

Thanks! However, I think you mean Charleston, right? I'm actually in WV's Eastern-most county on the panhandle just outside Charles Town (not confusing at all to have two nearly identical sounding towns in the same state ;) ). Just moved here less than 4 years ago from Northern VA where I grew up. The early 90s were my college years, too, so we're likely around the same age.

Vintage kits:
1969 Rogers Holiday - black diamond pearl (20/16/13/12)
196x Star (Lyra/Majestic) - blue sparkle pearl (22/14/13) Restoration Project
1987 Pearl KC-3500 - jet black (22/16/13/12)
Not-so-vintage kits:
2007 Hart Dynamics Professional 6.4 e-kit / Roland TDW-20
Snares:
60s Gretsch 5x14 maple WMP / 68 Ludwig 5x14 Supraphonic / 93 Pearl 3x14 Free Floating brass piccolo / 60s Star (Lyra) 5x14 luan blue sparkle pearl / 87 Pearl 6.5x14 steel
Posted on 7 years ago
#10
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