Welcome! to the addicts corner we call..."the forum..." Sizes? Color?And you are 100% correct in deciding to leave the original wrap inplace, it kills Gretsch value moreso than any other...

Sizes are 20" 16" 13" and 14" snare. It's the black pearl from the early sixties.

I started with the snare because it is the least damaged. I used contact cement and tried to clamp the wrap down. It still has air pockets under the wrap after my first try. And the seams are not lining up all the way, almost like they need to be stretched.

Pictures coming soon!

I need to try again. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Here are the snare pictures:

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums047.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums064.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums099.jpg[/IMG]

What is a good way to remove the old brown exposed glue from the seam on the snare? If I can get that off it will look much better with the hardware installed and I can live with the air bubbles. You can barely see them anyways.

Starting the 13" tom today....not much to restore on this drum. It's almost flawless except for the lifted seam. I wrapped a piece of wood in a piece of an old t-shirt and covered the ends of the vice too. Just gonna clamp it down with a little cement. I'll leave it on there for a few hours.

Then there is more of the old brown glue I need to remove from this drum too. Then I dread the bass drum which is really bad.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums028.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums036.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums072.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums101.jpg[/IMG]

So, i was just going into this thread to post my question "I have a gretsch bass with the wrap peeling off...what is the best glue to use?"

and here i see a very similiar post...small world!

So instead of posting a new one i'll just ask in here.

What is the best glue to use to re-glue wraps back down?

Also, is there anything i need to do to prepare an old brittle wrap before pressing it back down home against the shell?

Thanks!

Well feel free to tag along. I used Dap Weldwood Contact Cement. I later did a search on the forum and found that 3M makes a better cement. I don't know the name or why it's better....

This is my first experience with fixing the seams and it wasn't so bad. The bass drum will be a much harder process. I have the same questions you have about the bass drum and using the existing wrap. I was thinking of using a hair dryer to soften it up? Mine has small cracks around some of the hardware, so I know it's brittle.

Can someone tell me if using heat to make the wrap more flexible will work? This drum's wrap is not as soft as the others I did. I'm afraid it will crack if I push it down.

I have used the search function for fixing wraps. All I can find is how to "re-wrap" Any links or key words I should be searching? Help2 Thanks!

Here it is:

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums109.jpg[/IMG]

Here are the others waiting for the bass to be finished:

Front shot

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums104.jpg[/IMG]

Back shot of the seams glued down

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mc8track/grestchdrums105.jpg[/IMG]

Great job! Love that kit! Keep if you can.....

I have used a hair dryer (on low seating) to uncurl finishes before........take a good while to do,but worth it!

BTW.......have you put Novus plastic polish>(1 and 2) on your drums?If not,they will make them glisten like new!flowers2

Thanks!

Haha, I have not really done much yet, other than work on the seams for a week straight. lol

Now I'm gonna play them for a while, then I will pull them down and do a clean detail.

BTW These drums aren't going anywhere! I got them from my uncle who passed away, they were given to him by my grandfather who just passed away. These will stay in the family. Yes Sir