Here's the original kit as posted on CL. It was in fairly rough shape. A couple of the shells had gotten wet and moldy (!) and the mold stains had penetrated into the wood. I stripped the finish off and used a mold stain remover before refinishing. I'll post some better photos once I get heads on the drums. These drums sound surprisingly good!

Lastly, I want to thank this wonderful community for sharing so much valuable information about buying, restoring, and celebrating vintage drums. I am learning a ton from you guys and slowly developing a real passion for this stuff!

I fill the holes with a soft 2 component putty, that I push or drill out later.

Thanks, Bart - that would work well. - Tom

I tape the inside of the shell to stop drips internally. If not a heavy coating, the mount screws will work no problem. Or clean them with a hand reamer if you get them filler with finish coating.

I can't be 100% sure, but those look very much like Sonor Sonic Plus, late 1990s. If yes, then you've got some seriously good drums there (I used to have one of those, I know). 100% German 6-ply and 9-ply birch shells, one of the last lines to be made in Germany. Although they were supposed to be budget drums, the quality and craftsmanship were way beyond 'budget'.

First-generation Sonic Plus were made around 1995 and had a square yellow badge (see first photo in the link). The next generation was made in about 1997 and came with a black square badge (like the one you have). Other than that, they were identical. In 1999-00 a Sonic Plus II line was launched, but that was Chinese-made and had nothing in common with the others.

Really good drums you have there, enjoy them :)

http://www.sonormuseum.com/1995+/sonicplus/sonicplus.html

Alex

Thanks - yes, they are Sonic Plus drums. I bought the kit with cymbals and accessories for $350. I sold off everything but the drums for $400, so I'm working with free drums :)

I can't bear to put the plastic bass drum hoops back on - so I'm replacing them with maple hoops. I'll put a Fiberskyn head on the front. They will look classy!

The more I mess with these drums, the more I think I'll actually enjoy playing them. But to get serious playing time, they have to compete with my Pearl Masters MMX or my Yamaha Custom Absolutes...no easy feat!

Thanks again to all of you for your suggestions.

Tom

spray in multiple light coats and you wont have drips

great job those look neat!