My 16" floor tom build project

[RHD03]

I'm still not quite sure what I want to do about the lugs.

Replace the whole kit with Reference lugs!

Just kidding.

[trickg]

Replace the whole kit with Reference lugs!

Just kidding.

If I had a way to get them cheap, I would!

[RHD03]

If I had a way to get them cheap, I would!

I actually thought about doing this with my SMX kit a while back. I was going to replace the Optimounts that came with it for the Reference ones, get diecast hoops and switch out the lugs...just loved the look of everything...but it would have been cheaper to buy a Reference kit! LOL

And I'm not even sure the Ref lugs would match the holes on the SMX shells...

[trickg]

I'd really like to use the correct lugs - at the time Exports and the SMX were both using the same bridge style lug - but again, finding them cheaply enough to make it worth my while is the challenge.

[RHD03]

I'd really like to use the correct lugs - at the time Exports and the SMX were both using the same bridge style lug - but again, finding them cheaply enough to make it worth my while is the challenge.

Very true. I actually really liked the look of the old school Pearl long lugs. IDK why, just added more to the shell I guess. But it does take away from the finish a bit.

[Deedubs!]

Get some cheapos with the same drill pattern, and replace them as you acquire them.
Or not....just an idea.
....that will cost you more money....never mind!

[trickg]

I think I found a supplier online selling them for $4.95 apiece - more expensive than some lugs, but I think I'd rather have the nicer lug and spend a few bucks more at the outset. Besides, once I've got them, I've got them and I could use them for other things if I needed. Aside from that, they match - that's reason enough right there.

I tried to do an order but it was declined - not sure why. I'll call them tomorrow.

[Larrysperf]

I would, but I need 16 of them, and I can only seem to find them in sets of 12. I don't want to pay out double for an additional 8 lugs that I don't want or need. It's actually not a terribly uncommon or expensive lug - I can get a set of 12 for about $50.

I'm still not quite sure what I want to do about the lugs.

As a side note, I mentioned the error I had with the run. That error was what made my decision about which end of the drum was going to get the red mahogany color-tone lacquer, and essentially I covered the screw up.

Try the drum barn he sells 1 at a time or what you need

[jazzkat]

looking good. of course, i did not read everything.
Where did you get the shell? pre-edged or edge yourself?

[trickg]

I got the shell from Saluda, pre-edged. As far as I know it's a Keller shell, but the shell on my snare was a bit better. One of the things I found interesting is how thin it was, but supposedly American rock maple is harder and tougher than the Japanese maple my SMX is made of.

I've got 4 coats of clear on it now - going to go for 25+ overall.

[Bish]

I got the shell from Saluda, pre-edged. As far as I know it's a Keller shell, but the shell on my snare was a bit better. One of the things I found interesting is how thin it was, but supposedly American rock maple is harder and tougher than the Japanese maple my SMX i made of.

I've got 4 coats of clear on it now - going to go for 25+ overall.

Ya got more patience than I would have displayed.

[trickg]

I'll have 25 coats on it before the weekend is out - with lacquer you can hit the next coat after about 30 minutes.

[Bish]

Ok, that's way more doable.

[Doubleb21]

That is going to look killer! Nice job

[Russ]

I like it, it looks like you covered the details and did a thorough job. You got some good skills there, they'll take you far.

[trickg]

I appreciate that! If I had the chance to do it over, I'd probably try to get my fade to be a bit more gradual, but overall I'm pretty tickled with how it's coming together.

I just got off of the phone with a supplier and they are out of stock of the NCL-100 lug from the old Export/Session series, but he's going to see if they can still be gotten from Pearl - their shop is a Pearl distributor, so if I can get the correct lug, I'm going to.

I probably won't post another pic until I start going a bit further - right now it doesn't look any different than it did with the exception that I'm putting more and more coats of clear gloss on it. Hopefully I'll have some more to show in a week or so.

[trickg]

Couple more pics - I think I got it a bit too dark toward the bottom of the drum, but it's pretty close.





This is the decal I'm using for a badge. By the time I'm done, that decal will be buried under about 20 coats of lacquer. (Note - the scuff looking marks are due to the fact that I lightly sand between every 3-4 coats with 400 grit sandpaper, then I dust it off with a tack cloth and hit it again - it helps to remove bits of dust that land on the finish.)

[Kazaamski]

Wow dude, that's an amazing recreation.

[trickg]

Wow dude, that's an amazing recreation.

Thanks! My whole goal was to get it close enough to pass casual scrutiny, but at this point, especially since I'm ordering the correct Export/Session bridge style lugs and I already have Pearl hardware for the legs and leg brackets, the only thing that will really set it apart as being anything other than authentic is the decal badge rather than a true SMX badge.

[iamjohn]

Enjoying this thread. Thanks for sharing.

[VIbes]

That Looks great to me. When you get all the coats of lacquer on there and it is all shiney with the hardware on it. No one will ever be able to tell it did not come with the set. Nice job!

[Deedubs!]

Can't get the pics on my screen for some reason....

I'll check back later!

[Deedubs!]

I see them now! Wow!! Looks great! Nice job!

[weezy]

Thanks! My whole goal was to get it close enough to pass casual scrutiny, but at this point, especially since I'm ordering the correct Export/Session bridge style lugs and I already have Pearl hardware for the legs and leg brackets, the only thing that will really set it apart as being anything other than authentic is the decal badge rather than a true SMX badge.

Well, that will definitely pass casual scrutiny.

[marko138]

Looks great. You got it really close, that's for sure.