wow looks great Les! It really does bring out the beauty of the maple...be sure to keep us updated!
Hey all..thought I'd create a thread showing a new project I have embarked on..
I move my kit (s) around a pretty fair amount and can go from one extreme to the next with WI winters. Now with the upcoming warm and ridiculously humid summer weather just around the corner (we hope) I got to thinking about the wear and tear a drum set has to withstand from being subjected to extremes in climatic changes day in and day out.
This brought my attention to the natural (read: unfinished) interiors of my drum shells. It wouldn't hurt to apply a clear poly coat to the interiors would it?
I decided to do some research and found that my brainstorm was not an original one. I plan to keep my drums for the duration so I want them to be as well protected as possible. I transport them in padded bags and my wife (strong like yak btw) or myself are the only people to handle them..but what about when the element get a hold of the unfinished wood??
That whole thought process brought me to this project:
step 1,
remove heads and all shell HW (bare shell)
step 2,
hand sand (with grain) 180-240 grit sandpaper shell interior until smooth
step3,
remove sanding dust with a tack cloth
step 4,
apply poly coat finish (with grain) in light coats
*I applied 3 coats of Minwax wipe on poly sanding between each coat
This process is time consuming, but if you look at it as a labor of love more than a task..the benefits will far outweigh the time spent.
As an added bonus..It really brings out the beauty of the wood's grain!
^Man this Gretsch UV finish is just awesome^ bad picture..
^After the second coat^
^The juice^
-Les
Last edited by Lesizmor; 03-05-2009 at 03:45 PM.
wow looks great Les! It really does bring out the beauty of the maple...be sure to keep us updated!
-Reuben
SABIAN SQUAD
^^^SGD'S EVANS EMPIRE^^^
RIP Frank "Fiacovaz" Iacovazzi
You will probably geat some increased projection out of your kit.
Looks like a labor of love man!!
But about Step 2 - what if you can't do a hand stand??
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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
Very cool Les! Let us know how they sound when you are done!!
DW - PEARL - PDP - ZILDJIAN - EVANS - VIC FIRTH
Click for Gear Pics!
DW Collector's Series - Blue Glass - 10, 12, 14, 16, 23
Pearl Session Custom - Green Burst - 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22
PDP CX Maple - Red Glass - 12, 14, 16, 24
It will make the surface more reflective. I painted the interior of the 16" bass drum in attempt to draw a little more sound out of it. I also varnished the inside of my "Frankensnare". There is a tonal difference for sure.
all the best...
it will definitely help with projection and should also make the sound a bit more brighter. but let me know if i'm right or not.
also, i dunno if this has anything to do with this project, but you don't want to have the interior of the shell too smooth - of course this is a matter of oppinion - but a very smooth shell can make the sound to boingy. does that make sense?
Yeah Norske, Both of my kits are not high buck full zoot, but I plan to keep them for the duration. I have locked into two kits with very distinctly different sounds and they both "fit" my needs perfectly.
Well, a hand stand can be a tricky maneuver. Start out doing a more simple headstand and progress from there. (tee-hee)
Will do RHD. I didn't even consider this factor when I started doing my research. I was more looking to add a measure of protection to the shells as I do move my kits around a bit. It should be interesting to hear the results.
I have just literally minute ago, applied the 3rd coat to the 14" floor tom. I just have the 16" floor and 12" rack to to go. whew!
Well, it should be interesting to hear what my little (haha) project produces!
hmmm...? I have the shell interiors sanded with 180 grit prior to the first coat and then 220 grit between coats. Man J, I was TOTALLY digging the sound of these drums before I started this project, I really can't imagine this drum set sounding any better..Who knows?? I will post results as soon as they are in. -Les
Looks great!
At one point I was considering adding a few clear coats to the insides of my drums as well, but I decided not to because I did not want to loose the boomy woody sound of the shell.
[QUOTE=Lesizmor;176304]Will do RHD. I didn't even consider this factor when I started doing my research. I was more looking to add a measure of protection to the shells as I do move my kits around a bit. It should be interesting to hear the results.
I have just literally minute ago, applied the 3rd coat to the 14" floor tom. I just have the 16" floor and 12" rack to to go. whew!]
I hear ya man. Projects can be fun...but very time consuming!
DW - PEARL - PDP - ZILDJIAN - EVANS - VIC FIRTH
Click for Gear Pics!
DW Collector's Series - Blue Glass - 10, 12, 14, 16, 23
Pearl Session Custom - Green Burst - 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22
PDP CX Maple - Red Glass - 12, 14, 16, 24
So far, I think it's worth it!.. Gonna take 'em to rehearsal next Tues and see if the sound/projection changed any.. -Les
Ludwig was famous for it's Laquer coated interiors. Lot's of pro drums are like this. It is a great mod if needed. Congrats. I've done this to drumsets before and ,to me, the difference was hard to notice. But I felt good knowing it was done.
1971 Ludwig 3-ply Maple 7-piece shell set in Oyster Black Pearl w Supraphonic Snare
1968 Mica-Sonic Deluxe 9-ply Luan Mahogony 4 piece jazz set in Aqua Satin Flame
2004 Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz 7-ply Phillipene Mahogony 4 piece in Nitron Marine Pearl
Lot's of old Zildjian A's, some K's, a few Sabiens, and a few Paiste
That looks really cool. Still gonna put those white heads on it and hide all your handiwork?
Kevin
DW Performance series - Gun Metal Metallic Lacquer
24/12/16 6.5x14
Sabian AA/AAX hi-hats & crashes
Sabian HHX Evolution ride
Drummers can be very tempomental.....
Great pic! Shows your good side... LOL!
Kevin
DW Performance series - Gun Metal Metallic Lacquer
24/12/16 6.5x14
Sabian AA/AAX hi-hats & crashes
Sabian HHX Evolution ride
Drummers can be very tempomental.....
Love the "marijuana" plant shirt...I have one like it.
There's a lot to be said for Time Honored tradition and value.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...vaz/TheSet.jpg
A music store!!! I'm drooling
all the best...
Yeah, I recognized it as a GC. I guess they all look the same!
Les, I can't wait to hear about how finishing the interior of the shell will effect the sound!
Quoting gonefishin: Just have some bacon with ya when you go pick her up..........youre an instant chick magnet.
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