I don't think a careful re-paint of those hoops would be a bad thing....although, I will say that most people who would be interested in those drums might like to do the job, themselves. Hoop wear is to be expected in many (most) cases with vintage drums...but I have seen some re-paints that aren't very good -paint on the inlay and the wrong kind of paint used, etc. In a case like that, I would like t do the job, myself.

Since it's not a collectible configuration but the drums appear to be in decent shape, I would put it in the 800-1000 range if it's cleaned up.

A good restoration will never be taboo. An historic relic - that's different. But a damaged or incomplete drum which, when restored, becomes a representation of the marque - this can only be a good thing.

I have rescued drums from rubbish tips - and some from the persecution of incompetents.

Some drums I would only wipe with a clean cloth; and grease the lugs and check the fittings for rust. But with some I have been forced to remove sections of the shell and more. People do horrible things to drums!

I like to think that the work I have done will help someone in the future, own their first vintage drum kit. I think we all dream of finding a set of classics, untouched, still in boxes. But for me, in the meantime - there are a lot of drums waiting to be rescued.

Alright guys - here?s what i?m gonna do:

- Clean up the shells with a wet cloth.

- Pollish all fittings and rims with Autosol (very good crome pollish)

- Clean up and repaint BD-hoops (Don?t worry O-Lugs, I can do it.)

- Add some coated Emperors and Diplomats.

- Put it on sale for arround 1.000,- USD. (Far less than the good old man hoped fore.)

Thanks for all your great inputs, hope i?ll be able to give something back sometime.

Yours Carsten M

- Sold before I even cleaned it up fore 1.800,- USD.

Crazy world, isn?t it?

:-) Carsten M

Nice deal all around for everyone!

Did you sell these to someone in Arkansas? There's a "dealer" there that stretches the definition of "restoration." (At least in my opinion.) I only ask because sky blue pearl seems to be his finish of choice. Some of you probably know who I am talking about... :rolleyes:

Herb

No sir; I sold the kit to an absolutely innocent guy in Denmark.

Yours CarstenM

I volunteer at a museum where I live and have learned a LOT about "artifacts".

There is a difference in "restoring" vs "preservation" of an item.

The Barnum Museum, here in Bridgeport, Connecticut, has a lot of "artifacts" that are preserved in the condition that they are, often in disrepair, to keep it from degrading further, "preserving" the history (a book read by P.T. Barnum, would still have his fingerprints on it) it has.

Restoring is done when the item has no real history (a bed that Tom Thumb slept in vs. a bed that was made for him but never used), inorder to show craftsmanship and beauty of the orignal piece.

Unless you know for certain the "history" of a drum kit, restore it to it's former glory. If it's Ringo's Premier Duroplast kit...leave it alone! Put it behind a glass wall and charge admission!

This is a great thread. I recently acquired a 1948 Slingerland Radio King snare for short money. I posted on many sights a question about what people would do with it. The original paint was flaking badly, it was missing the original strainer but was otherwise in pretty solid shape for a drum of it's age. The responses I got varied VERY MUCH. It was about 50/50 between just cleaning it up and leaving it alone and stripping the drum of original paint refinishing and making the drum playable for today's needs. I found it very interesting the varied opinions and responses. I ended up just cleaning it and leaving it as original as possible. I guess the old chiche rings true that in the end the person who owns the drum can do with it what they wish so there really isn't an answer to the question of what is right and what is wrong.

I'd also like to add, there are differences in restoring and refinishing. Some things you can restore if you have the materials at hand (same paints, laquers, most older paints are now banned, lead based) and parts (same lugs, rods, screws) a restore is possible.

Refinishing is when you have no choice (paint flaking off due to failure, mold, water damage, etc) parts are missing or so damaged repair is impossible and no longer available.

If refinishing is what's needed then do it. Just call it what it is, it's a refinishing not a restoration.

If you plan on selling the drum be sure to let your customers know. Don't lie to your customers, it gives all builders/restorers a bad rap.

An original (in good condition) will naturally bring a higher price, a restored piece can bring a slightly lower price but can go for more IF you can prove you used the SAME materials that where used on the original. A refinished piece will be lower still but, still a nice price, if the piece is in demand. Not everything is a collectable, not everything is worth collecting.

It depends on the needs and wants of the buyer.