HI -
I'VE BEEN READING THAT SHELLACING AN OLD MIJ lUAN SHELL WILL NOT ONLY HELP PRESERVE THE WOOD BUT ACTUALLY MAKE THE DRUM SOUND BETTER. BEFORE I GO AHEAD AND SLATHER THIS STUFF ON, ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. SHOULD I SPRAY? BRUSH? WHAT SHOULD I USE - SHELLAC? POLY? THANKS.
DAVE
Polyurethane is not same as shellac.
All urethanes are plastics/polymers in a (usually) water based carrier.
Shellac is actually dried tree sap dissolved in alcohol.
"Shellac" will penetrate much more deeply and because it's a natural tree product, it will have a much different effect on the sound.
It serves to bind the wood together and make it less prone to splintering.
It will also brighten the sound which can be a good thing on luan as it doesn't have much high end resonance.
You can somewhat control the amount of "brightness" you add by varying the number of coats you apply and by sanding after it's dry.(shiny generally = brighter)
Keep in mind, you can only go so far with this. 20 coats won't make em sound like birch.
You want the "de-waxed" stuff and I recommend brushing it on with a natural bristle brush.
IMPORTANT: Be VERY careful what you do here.
You can destroy the vintage sound of a drum by doing this or any modification that involves the interior or bearing edge.
Be sure of your reasons for doing this - proceed at your own risk.
Good luck.
Thanks so much for the advice. I don't even have the kit yet. It's on it's way from a Guitar Center in Iowa. I'm in Pa. I may have overpaid - $367 for a 60's Pearl Majestic 4 piece kit wth matching snare. Cymbal mount and L arm are there. Look like good sized drums with good chrome and the wrap looks outstanding. Kind of a blue grey swirl. Very cool for what it is. Curios to see the plies and grain.The clerk said everything "looks ok". We'll see. First experience with an MIJ kit. Hopefully the edges are ok. Plan on putting some hours into it and maybe selling for a small profit. Who knows. I may fall in love with them. Thanks again.
My advice is simply this.
Do NOTHING to these until you hear em with NEW heads so you know what they sound like STOCK.(I like coated emps/amb, powerstroke3 on kick on these kits)
That way, you know what they sound like now and then you can judge where you wanna go.
I agree with Holliwood. Wait and see what they are like before you do anything. Have a listen to Charlie's kit from this thread (posted yesterday). I don't think he did more than a thorough clean up and new heads. http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=33641
Post some pics when you get them too. Sounds like a nice kit.
Thanks Andrew!
even though we're not talking Rogers here, I do have one concern, and that is stripped parts. I've read that these MIJ kits really skimped on the hardware. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving.
dave
Polyurethane is not same as shellac.All urethanes are plastics/polymers in a (usually) water based carrier.Shellac is actually dried tree sap dissolved in alcohol.
Not trying to be picky but in the interests of accuracy - shellac is derived from the female Lac beetle. Strange, but true. I really like using it. It is good for shell interiors but I can't say it's had any magic effects on the sound for me (just as you said) I do have a Pearl kit with very shiny poly coated interiors and that definitely brightens up the attack and projection of the drums.
Not trying to be picky but in the interests of accuracy - shellac is derived from the female Lac beetle. Strange, but true.
NO kidding!!!!
WOW. Learn sumthin new every day. always thought it was processed tree sap.
As for it brightening the sound of shells, it's not magic and it's subtle sometimes. depends on the drum.
Thanks so much for the advice. I don't even have the kit yet. It's on it's way from a Guitar Center in Iowa. I'm in Pa. I may have overpaid - $367 for a 60's Pearl Majestic 4 piece kit wth matching snare. Cymbal mount and L arm are there. Look like good sized drums with good chrome and the wrap looks outstanding. Kind of a blue grey swirl. Very cool for what it is. Curios to see the plies and grain.The clerk said everything "looks ok". We'll see. First experience with an MIJ kit. Hopefully the edges are ok. Plan on putting some hours into it and maybe selling for a small profit. Who knows. I may fall in love with them. Thanks again.
As a seller of these - he's a goner! There's no way he is not going to fall in love with that kit!
Hope you have the budget for it, because that $367 is Gone for good! Of course - you will be blessed for years by a beauty of a kit. Enjoy!
John
Thanks Andrew!even though we're not talking Rogers here, I do have one concern, and that is stripped parts. I've read that these MIJ kits really skimped on the hardware. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving.dave
Maybe some have poor hardware but in my experience the lugs and fittings are very good. I've yet to have a stripped thread on a lug on an MIJ kit. I wish I could say the same about my Ludwig and Premier. The Premier will be a great kit when it's done but man it's been a bit of a struggle with some of the hardware and missing parts are harder to replace - even the lug washers are unique. With the MIJ kits if anything does break then parts are cheap and easy to source.
I think you'll be surprised. Keep an open mind though, some just can't get their heads around them being anything other than junk but the evidence, for the most part, doesn't back that up IMO.
