Am I the only one that's noticed that the RB's (silver interior ones) have a very particular smell when you take off a head?
My old set always has, and when I got my second set, I popped a head and said "there it is!". It was exactly the same.
I was never sure if it was the wood or (most likely) the silver paint, but it is for sure a recognizable smell. One of those smells that instantly keys "memories of the past" for me.
Those are looking good. You really can't beat gold sparkle. Did you do the wrap yourself? Nicely done...whoever did it. Good job on the hoops. I've always liked Gretsch drums. I can't recall ever owning any of the old ones, though. How do those play? Did you try them out prior to the resto?
Once I get my Rogers jones sated, I'm going to enter the Gretsch waters. That won't be until next year, though. This vintage drum thing is more fun than a monkey toss!
Those are looking good. You really can't beat gold sparkle. Did you do the wrap yourself? Nicely done...whoever did it. Good job on the hoops. I've always liked Gretsch drums. I can't recall ever owning any of the old ones, though. How do those play? Did you try them out prior to the resto? Once I get my Rogers jones sated, I'm going to enter the Gretsch waters. That won't be until next year, though. This vintage drum thing is more fun than a monkey toss!
It looks like you have some nice drum there too Mcjnic!
Yes - more fun than tossing monkeys - haha.
I didn't do the wrap - they came to me in rough shape - unplayable actually. The heads were moldy...everything was rusty and parts were broken here and there. The kit was bought new 1961 and that chap died - saddly - in 2005. His daughter, the seller, told me he played them back in the early days but not for many years before his death at the age.....like when he bought the drums...of 61 - coincidentally he had the same name as me.
I ordered two hoops off eBay that arrived today. I didn't think the original hoops were worth saving at first, but I did manage to repair and restore one of the original 3ply hoops. I will have to use one of the 6ply hoops I got today.
I've ordered a lot of parts on ebay and they just started arriving today. I've got the drums cleaned up, silver-sealed and ready to start putting them back together. I still need bass drum parts and only two of the heads have arrived so far. I'm putting an Evans Emad on the Bass Batter and one of the new for 2009 10 oclock Gretsch Ebony reso heads. I may put an American Calf on the snare batter. I've never tried one and I thought it would be kind of cool on this old snare. The drum shells were actually made around 58 because they're 3ply - except for the 14 floor tom it's 6ply.
I can't wait to have em up-n-running!
I'm taking my time with this restore - it's my first. I'm scrubbing every nut, washer, screw and all the rest of it.......slowly getting there.
These are a few photos of when I brought the drums home last month. There were no heads on the bd, the rack tom here is leaning on a bench for the photo op (Walberg&Auge rail mount was totally non-functional).
LOVE THE RESTORE - this could be habit forming.
Cheers
Gary
My Nitro Celullose black gloss lacquer arrived yesterday (rattle can) and I painted one of the hoops I rescued from the kit. I like it.......it's going to polish up nicely. Not getting too carried away with having a "foot-deep" shine on the hoops. The gloss black the way it is after two coats is enough and will look nice against the Gold Sparkle.
Hey Kona! Who was your source for the Nitro Celullose black gloss lacquer? I'm trying to order some for my RB hoop project but can't find a seller.
Thanks!
-akaran3
I just did this last weekend, and it turned out pretty well. I used Rustoleum Special Lacquer high gloss finish. Spray is the ONLY way to go.
Sorry......Just noticed this is an old thread.
I am new to restoration and am about to start work on my first real project. Regarding the hoops: Is it necessary to strip ALL of the old paint off the entire hoop before repainting or do I just sand down areas that need to be touched up and repaint those (and hope that my new black paint is a close match to the old paint remaining on the hoop)?
Thanks for any help!
James
James, just sand the areas where paint is chipped or missing. I used 150 grit, then I used 000 steel wool and roughed up the rest of the hoop. This will give the new paint/lacquer a better surface to bond to. I cleaned and taped the inlay first, then gave the hoops 3 -4 coats.
[COLOR="DarkRed"]On old hoops w\ peeling paint l do the same as Tub' - just sand 'em a bit to get off the loose stuff and create a good surface to bond to. Personally - l don't think you need to spray, nor will it take 3 coats - l just do 2 coats of an oil-based semigloss black using a brush. Always ends up lookin' good. Guitar Dude Man For brand-new hoops l have actually stopped using paint altogether - instead l use an ebony stain 2-3 coats and then finish off with 2 coats of Tung oil rubbed in with a cloth. lt's nice 'cuz from far away the hoops look solid black - while up close you can still see some of the wood grain and the color isn't as opaque.[/COLOR]
Great - thanks for the advice guys!
James
Am I the only one that's noticed that the RB's (silver interior ones) have a very particular smell when you take off a head?My old set always has, and when I got my second set, I popped a head and said "there it is!". It was exactly the same.I was never sure if it was the wood or (most likely) the silver paint, but it is for sure a recognizable smell. One of those smells that instantly keys "memories of the past" for me.
So true!
I got my RBs when I was 16, after dreaming of owning a Gretsch set for years. I'll never forget the day I got them home and lovingly opened them up. To this day, every time I change heads I'm flooded with wonderful memories. Chalk it up to "that great Gretsch smell." :)
