Running my RK's w/RIMS and a snare stand to avoid drilling them. Not really sure why, they've been modded already. Bass is a 22", cut down from a bigger one by the Pro Drum shop.I guess it's because the toms are unmodified, and I'd prefer not to do it. I like the lacquer. It's flaking, but just leaving well enough alone. Wish it would get really bad, so I could justify staining and finishing them![IMG]http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad173/wdonley/abb0285e-8093-41f4-93a3-75430e56dbc3.jpg[/IMG]

With my RK's I'm striving for a factory/period correct restoration. The shells survived the best forgotten period of trash the bottom hardware and paint everything black. Quite a bit of time, effort and expense but they are returning to day one new.They will never be collector grade. That was lost many years ago. I like them because of the modifications that have taken place over the years. True players kit. Here is one of the 13" toms.Upgraded many times to the latest hardware. Would have been easier to get a new drum. Much joy in trying to sort what prior owner's were thinking. Creighton

OK, here's what I don't understand, and this applies to cars, drums, whatever... Suppose you came across a vintage (antique) NOB snare that has been meticulously maintained since day one. Maybe it's been in the same family since new, it has been occasionally polished and rarely used. In other words, it still looks like new. Is that drum worth less than a similar drum that although neglected in the past has now been cleaned and polished to "restore" it to like new condition? They look the same; only the provenance is different.To put it in personal terms, I polished my new 1963 Ludwig Hollywood kit and Supra the day I brought them home in 1963. Every couple of years I go over the kit cleaning off finger prints, dust, etc. The drums have always been in hard cases and, by most standards, are lightly used. The only "patina" they have is a few light scratches on the lugs from the cases. So, is my kit less valuable than the same kit with faded wrap and rusty lugs?

OK, here's what I don't understand, and this applies to cars, drums, whatever... Suppose you came across a vintage (antique) NOB snare that has been meticulously maintained since day one. Maybe it's been in the same family since new, it has been occasionally polished and rarely used. In other words, it still looks like new. Is that drum worth less than a similar drum that although neglected in the past has now been cleaned and polished to "restore" it to like new condition? They look the same; only the provenance is different.To put it in personal terms, I polished my new 1963 Ludwig Hollywood kit and Supra the day I brought them home in 1963. Every couple of years I go over the kit cleaning off finger prints, dust, etc. The drums have always been in hard cases and, by most standards, are lightly used. The only "patina" they have is a few light scratches on the lugs from the cases. So, is my kit less valuable than the same kit with faded wrap and rusty lugs?