By the way Drummer808, that kit and that photo looks fantastic!

If someone does head up this venture, please count me in! What would be a minimum order from Delmar? I assume we'd need quite a large group in order to make this work.

Sorry I've been a little invisible lately. Just extremely busy.

To clarify a little here, the narrower piece pictured is what is pretty close to the old champagne sparkle, while the larger piece is called "Modern Bermuda Sand" and I got that sample from Precision.

The narrow piece, while maybe not a perfect match to the old stuff, is pretty darn close though because I had a 60s Ludwig Club Date kit in at the time that the biggest difference I could tell I would tend to attribute to age and fading. I got a piece big enough to do a JazzFest repro from Jammin' Sams and this is what was left over.

As for the "Modern Bermuda Sand," I first saw it on a new Gretsch Set at a GC (in either Tulsa or Wichita). When I first saw it, my first impression was that of excitement, thinking someone was bringing the old back! But, upon closer examination I could see the differences. I will say this -- I've told both customers and potential customers that IF they're looking for a refurbed/rebuilt custom kit in champagne sparkle, IMO this is probably close enough in most cases.

Now, as for Delmar and minimum orders... I am NOT a Delmar distributer, but have talked with them a few times for various reasons. It is my understanding that anyone can order from them: with a minimum order of 90 sheets. That is a LOT of wrap, and I kinda doubt we could generate that much interest on this forum...

BUT IF we could generate that much interest, I'm interested in at least "participating." I might even be interested in ram-rodding the thing, but not until early June at the earliest. Just too busy right now to take on something like this!

Bill

Here are a more pictures of my kit. The snare is an original pre-paper tag Champagne Sparkle drum probably from the early 60's. The toms and bass were re-wrapped in Delmar's current expensive version of Champagne Sparkle by Jack Lawton (who, by the way, doesn't have any more of the wrap). To me, they look pretty darn close.

[IMG]http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg510/irahawaii/Gretsch%20RB%20Project%202013/_7002935.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg510/irahawaii/Gretsch%20RB%20Project%202013/_7002918.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg510/irahawaii/Gretsch%20RB%20Project%202013/_7002914.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg510/irahawaii/Gretsch%20RB%20Project%202013/_7002911.jpg[/IMG]

Drummer808,

Those do look good!

The narrow piece pictured above probably was about the same stuff that was used on your rewrap. Like I said I got it from Jammin' Sam, and it was from the last run he had before he quit carrying it.

I'm sure I've mentioned this before in another thread (or 2 or 3), but I used to have an early 70s 3 ply w/rings clear maple interior set of Ludwigs in Champagne Sparkle. I loved those drums mostly because of the wrap!

So, again, your set looks good!

Bill

bill - This do-able!

1. Set-up a six-sheet minimum. (Enough for two kits, and we'll only need fifteen guys to come up with a minimum order for Delmar.)

2. Add 10% to the price of each sheet to compensate yourself for the time it will take to mail out a dozen or so packages. We'll be getting a wholesale price on the wrap, so 10% added to the per sheet price isn't going to break the bank for anybody. We'll all still be getting a huge discount.

3. Start a thread to take orders, (I'm sure Tommy and Dave won't mind,) and then start doing the math! Call the manufacturer, find out how much it's going to cost. Figure out the per-sheet price. We'll need 15 guys to do it.

I'm dead certain that, it won't be hard to come up with a dozen or so guys to buy the wrap. What you don't/can't sell here, you'll sell at DFO or ebay.

Think about it. Please put me on the list! I want to buy enough wrap to do two complete kits. Shouldn't be too hard finding others willing to do the same.

Hope we do this! I haven't seen old-school Champaign Sparkle wrap for sale in a dog's age!

John

Weird timing, I was on the phone earlier today with Don from Delmar and Andrea from Precision about special ordering sheets of this finish. If you go through Precision it's $250 a sheet and they wont cut it. If this materializes, I'm in (if costs are reasonable). I'm planning out a kit I want to build by the end of fall and I would need 3 sheets.

> it's $250 a sheet

I owned a music store... if we make a wholesale purchase, it'll be half the price per sheet that Precision is asking for, or better. You wouldn't believe how much the retail mark-up is especially on high-demand products. If we buy wholesale, we'll all save a ton of cash.

John

UPDATE

I'm currently working on a 16" x 16" Floor Tom to 14" x 16" Bass Drum conversion project that I want to have finished in Champagne Sparkle. Since none of the usual vendors are currently carrying the wrap, I contacted Don Mulligan at Delmar once again. I am happy to report that Don was kind enough to sell me a single sheet 24” x 54” of original Champagne Sparkle wrap to finish my project. While it was expensive ($225 + shipping), at least I now have all the materials to finally finish my bass drum.

Does he have anymore??