Thanks, I cant get enough of it either haha. Im doing everything I can to get it up and running asap. Ive set aside money especially for it that I won but finding the parts is pretty slow and most of them are way way over priced.

You can sort of see the kit here in its prime although the photo quality wasn't great back then (first pic is 1964 and the other is roughly 1970). The family of the man playing the kit were nice enough to supply me with these photos and they want to see the kit restored as much as anyone. Apparently this guy played with the Penny Rockets and Johnny Okeefe, although probably only Aussie guys will know who they are.

[IMG]http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r255/crows97/IMG_1360.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r255/crows97/IMG_1361.jpg[/IMG]

good of you to maintain a focus on the the kits players history, we all love this stuff, take your time with how you want to preserve this kit. let me know if and when you want to gig this kit.

You can tell that cat knew what he was doin just by the way he held the sticks!...Now, I don't see green sparkle there. Are you sure that was the original finish?

100% sure, his family told me because i asked the same thing when i bought it. The green still remains in small parts that arent faded and the under side of the bass drum is still completely green. The sparkles on these kits were very dark with very small glitter pieces. Also I was told by the Drouyn drum page that dandy kits of this era came in red or green sparkle so not much choice back then. I think its just the bad quality photos dont show it up very well.

http://www.troutsounds.com/home/drums/drouyn/drouyn-images/

Scroll down to the orange looking snare and its listed as being green originally. This one has faded exactly the same way.

The snare drum is $300 - $400 alone; if it's all there. The 22" in the Dandy Strad is quite rare. The floor tom hoop is a bummer but I would hesitate before wrapping this kit. The lugs are not available, for love or money. There are vintage Slingerland repros from Drum Factory or somewhere which will fit in better (and fit the holes) My kit is all standard sizes, from 1966. These are much older. Speaking of which, I would love to see pics of any serial numbers inside the shells please.

If you want to play them, clean them well and as suggested, get a clip hoop for the tom. I know wrapping is tempting but the glue will be cow hide and layered on with a trowel. Getting it off could be damaging. I have a fair bit of experience in these drums and I would restore mechanically; not cosmetically. Work on getting everything so it plays. They have rounded over edges and to me are quite like old Gretsch shells.

These are old drums - like 40's drums in style. They do sound unique but understand they are not 60's drums and will need sort of managing, if you know what I mean. You did amazingly well in the deal.

I wouldn't wrap. I would clean them really well, hand sand the edges if needed, grease everything; get more suitable lugs; maybe paint the hoops, but have fun. Even with all the fade and issues, $1000 if all working.

PS. The Drouyn sparkles faded very badly. Some say it was Meazzi wrap. The UV in Australia is twice what you guys will ever see on average.

The snare is all original and all there from what I can see. Lucky for me the glue has lost its hold in most places and it scrapes off with my finger so I might just get away with it but if it looks like trouble Ill leave it. My wrap has already been ordered too. Do you mean that newer Drouyn lugs wont fit the holes?

Hey Dan,

I think you have your analogy a little incorrect. If you recover this kit it will be like removing Michelangelo's blue paint from the Sistine Chapel art work - paint, that he himself applied.

Meaning that if you get replacement paint (or drum covering) and paint the blue back exactly as he had first applied (recover), it would no longer be Michelangelo's work or even of value as original. It would simply be 1/2 someones else's work.

Moreno, the real meaning of restoration, is NOT remodelling (or rewrapping), but bringing back to it's most original GOOD CONDITION or state as it has been found - that is restoration. Restoring the value of it's originality.

Maintenance, as you suggest, is just keeping the dust of the work and everything working as it should - touching it's originality in the least.

Remodelling, is recovering - it would be like peeling Michelangelo ceiling art off the roof, and slapping a fresh coat of ceiling white back on cause it looks better - to you.

If you want a pretty kit JW, buy one, or remodel an old drouyn that has no wrap - if you want a great original piece of history, change a thing, just clean it up and maintain it.

[IMG]http://www.illuminexlighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Cappella_Sistina_Sistine_Chapel_2476394326.jpg[/IMG]

And once again I'm torn. Ive got so many different people telling me many different things about what I should do with it and its doing my head in. The thing I come back to is the fact that I have 0 interest in ever selling it so its financial value doesnt mean jack to me. Also the original owners family wanted it restored to former glory so I kinda have that responsibility on me as well. Just believe me when I say that the original wrap is literally destroyed and is beyond any repair or maintenance. Remember that it is a 57 year old kit left out in the rain at one stage. This kit should be my pride and joy (and it was/is) but all its done lately is stress me out. I should point out though that I do value everybodys input and opinions otherwise there would be no point in posting :)

My vote would be to re-wrap it. Why - because, as you say - the original wrap is ruined by sunfade, rain, etc. If the original finish can not be brought back, you don't have much of a choice if you want it to look nice. Perhaps consider asking the family you got it from. Of course that runs the risk of them feeling disrespected if you ultimately decide to go the other way - just a thought.

Again - if original restore is impossible, a nice re-wrap (to an original color perhaps) is your only option. If re-wrap is the road you will go down, you can proceed down there knowing that the original wrap/finish is impossible to get back.

Note: Some people prefer it all wore out, faded, 'ruined' as long as it is original. They value originality so much they don't care what it looks like. Consider some famous guitars out there (I am thinking about the wear on SRV's Strat for example). This is just something you are going to have to decide how you feel about such things. Of course, until you remove any wrap - you still have your choice, even if you already bought the wrap. Holding off keeps options open. You don't have to be in a hurry - except to get it mechanically 'sound' so you can play it and enjoy it for now until you decide on the finish.

Remember to keep perspective. This was a blessing and is meant to be enjoyed! When you get it up and 'running' it is going to sound fabulous! (Go with all new heads - this kit is worthy!)