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My first kit

Posts: 657 Threads: 40
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Finding a floor tom to match wont be easy, but I think there are some options there. The bass drum is a 20 inch, correct? Is the rack tom a 12 or 13"? If it is a 12", I would try to pair it with a 14" floor tom. If the rack is a 13", I'd pair it with a 16".

16" MIJ floor toms come up somewhat regularly on ebay, and if you found one that was Star made (with the same style lugs) it would be a match. Also, a 16" floor tom of some other type can easily be found on ebay or CL and recovered. I just checked the wrap section of George's Drum Shop site and the blue diamond pearl actually looks pretty close. So a rewrap could be done on almost any 16" floor tom.

If the rack tom is a 12" and you want to go for a 14" floor tom, aside from being very, very patient, I would consider purchasing a keller shell and building the drum from scratch. I dont think this would be any kind of a sin since this set originally came as a 3 piece. The reproduction lugs wouldn't be exact, but they'd be pretty close. Also, you could even find the Star lugs on ebay and drill a shell to match those (I dont really recommend doing this as I think that, along with the tom mounts, the weak links of these drums are the lugs. They are cool looking, but are made of pot metal and aren't nearly as durable as new lugs, but it is an option.)

I dont know... it's just a cool set and it is going to be worth your while to get it up and running.

Posted on 14 years ago
#11
Posts: 657 Threads: 40
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More pics of the tom mount and cymbal mount:

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Posted on 14 years ago
#12
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Thanks everybody. I will want to do a full restore. I have plenty of time because my son is only 1.5. He likes to hit my 80's gold sparkle kit at the moment. When I was in High School I used this kit for jazz band. I got alot of comments from the judges like nice chops for a young kid. Maybe he could get an updated drum set. You know the regular garbage you get from some.

But I like them and I really never thought I would see them again.The bass is a 20'', tom is 13'' I would like a 16'' floor tom.

Posted on 14 years ago
#13
Posts: 657 Threads: 40
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Pics of snare throw 'customized' by owner, and bass drum legs/mounts:

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Posted on 14 years ago
#14
Posts: 657 Threads: 40
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Well, if you want to do the full restoration there are plenty of great threads about what to use, what not to, etc.

I personally use Mr. Metal to polish chrome hoops, or even WD-40 if they aren't too rusted. If the tension rods need cleaning I soak them in Dawn for a day or so, then scrub with a scotchbrite pad. Lugs, I now use Mr. Metal. It takes longer than other methods, but I have found it works better. To clean any sticker residue on anything I use GooGone and to clean the shells I just use Shell Shine or any shell cleaner than can be bought a drum store.

Heads: for your snare, I would try a regular coated Remo Ambassador and see how you like it. If it's too ringy, I'd try an Emperor. Either a Remo snare side or Evans 300 snare side would be a good snare reso. For the toms, I'm having good luck with coated Emporers as batter heads to get a nice warm vintage sound. You can use whatever you like for resos, clear Ambs, etc. For the bass drum, I like Remo Powerstroke 3's (coated for reso, clear for batter) but some here like the Emad or Aquarian Superkick 1 or 2s.

O-bop and Jonni will give you the tutorial on edges and snare beds. My advice on that is just to procede with caution if the edges need any work at all (and they might not!)

Oh, but my last and possibly most important piece of advice for a resoration of this set (aside from "dont lose any parts!") is to be VERY CAREFUL when unscrewing and screwing in the lugs to and from the shell. The holes in the lug for the screws (not the t-rods) are thin pot metal and are pretty brittle and prone to breakage. If they break, it renders the lug unusable. This has been one of the most frustrating problems in my experience restoring these drums. Make sure the drums aren't too cold, and when you are unscrewing the lugs, go slowly, dont force it (or they WILL break,) just go nice and easy. It's probably best not to use a power drill when unscrewing them. You really dont want to break these because replacement lugs, even though they are out there, are a hassle to get.

Good luck, and keep taking pics as you restore. You'll want them for later!

Posted on 14 years ago
#15
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