Before and After Thread

[luv4congas]

Here we go..... Post your before and after pics here on anything that had some kind of make over. show us what you painted, cleaned up, changed a head or even changed the hardware on anything. Here's my muled Matadors again to start it off.

[fumbled time]

Nice! My congo's.

[Jski90]

Wow, beautiful drums!

[BongoCajon]

Nice! My congo's.

So much better and richer looking than the blue color. Very nice color choice!

[fumbled time]

I agree bongocajon much nicer. Hey L4C are those yours or did you pick them up as a project? F/T

[DamageDrummer]

totally awesome guys, flawless woodgrain on both of those! i like how the logos were re used, they look like new!

[luv4congas]

I agree bongocajon much nicer. Hey L4C are those yours or did you pick them up as a project? F/T

I picked them up for really cheap and was going to just change the heads at first but you get em home and start starring at them and realizing just how bad they really are then the next thing you know full blown make over! I really like how your came out F/T, you chose a really nice color stain.

[ThePloughman]

In 2001....I did these.......... the BD was a 16x18 floor tom, the 14x14 a raw keller, and the black 8x12 on the floor..... Rogers, XP8 shells.



Here they are in 2006 after I installed the Rogers Swivo Mounts.

[fumbled time]

Wow, nice job Ploughman! That's impressive and I love the color.

L4C I was thinking from the looks that they were either used or abused, But you brought them back from the salvage yard they look brand new! F/T

[fumbled time]

Thanks D/D It sure was a pleasing project so much that I am restaining my 7 pcs( will post pics soon) It's the fifth time I have taken them apart and am darkening the stain to match the congs and then putting on the poly like I did to the congs but never did to the 7 pcs.[update] I finished the staining and will be polying them in two days. Woo Hoo, they look great. F/T

[TROPICAT]

luv4congas...Those are some of the nicest Matadors I have ever seen. You really brought out the wood grain on those shells. Beautful work, nicely done.

fumbled time...From the not so attractive blue color to the nice stain you have on those Tocas I would say it was a 100% improvement. I always like to see wooden drums without being painted. Plus I think the black hardware really compliments well now with the shells. Great job.

the ploughman...That green you ended up with seems to be the perfect color for those drums. They turned out awesome and I see you have quite a collection of drums there.

[Gretschhead]

[fumbled time]

Gretchhead those look great, Nice improvment.F/T

[luv4congas]

luv4congas...Those are some of the nicest Matadors I have ever seen. You really brought out the wood grain on those shells. Beautful work, nicely done.

fumbled time...From the not so attractive blue color to the nice stain you have on those Tocas I would say it was a 100% improvement. I always like to see wooden drums without being painted. Plus I think the black hardware really compliments well now with the shells. Great job.

the ploughman...That green you ended up with seems to be the perfect color for those drums. They turned out awesome and I see you have quite a collection of drums there.

Thanks TROPICAT and thank you too DD. ThePloughman that is amazing what you did to the set, the green metal flake looks very cool! I'm ready to do another make over but I will have to find another abused set, I only have my Giovannis and my wife told to me..... Don't even think about it!

[TROPICAT]

Gretschhead...The wood on those Cuban style Congas looks interesting. Can you tell me what kind of wood they are?
Thanks.

[Gretschhead]

Gretschhead...The wood on those Cuban style Congas looks interesting. Can you tell me what kind of wood they are?
Thanks.

They are made of spanish cedar, also known as cedro. They have a great sound, very vintage sounding. Nice warm tone and very dry, less ring than an old oak drum even. The wood is pretty dense, and the weight is similar to oak, maybe a tad lighter (hard to tell with the solid brass hardware).

Not many builders out there making cedar drums these days, I think Bauer does, but nobody else comes to mind.

[TROPICAT]

Well made drums. Solid Brass hardware, now thats something you don't see everyday. Thanks.

[luv4congas]

Gretschhead you really did a nice job on the cuban congas and as far as the Gon bop I would have thought it couldn't be repaired but you pulled it off! looks like a completely different drum! Nice.
L4C

[bongobro]

Gretschhead, awesome job on those cedros...

F/T, what a difference bare wood makes on those congs, man... to all of these makeovers!!!

[fumbled time]

I can't find the pic of this kit wrapped in the original red I bought them, So The first pic shows two toms with the first staining (light stain)and 3 with the 2nd stain I did. The second is the 2nd stain finished. The third pic is the latest stain with a poly coat to end the staining of this kit.F/T

[Gretschhead]

Wow, that kit looks great FT!

[luv4congas]

Holy Cow! Is that the same kit? You do good work F/T!

[fumbled time]

I started a wooden snare project today. It's lookin good will post pics in a few days! F/T

[bongobro]

F/T, I wonder if you've found your new niche in refinishing drums...excellent work on everything I've seen so far......man, they rock!

Now to expand this slightly! Who has tackled repairing or refinishing a fiberglass conga? Would like to see how you do it!

[kona]

I've just been looking through this thread again and admiring all the great projects. All you guys here have done some very nice work indeed.

The drums here have made quite a transformation! Looking good guys..........