Next project- my jungle kit

[N2Bluz]

I'm starting this week on building my own custom jungle kit ( or martini, coktail, whatever it's called). I'm using 16" FT shell for the bass, a 13" shell for the FT and an 8" shell for the mounted Tom. The 16" & 13" both came from an old Taiwan kit (Pearl knockoff) that I bought for parts off CL for $100. The shells are thin Luan with coated interiors. The wood is pretty cheap, but it will work fine. Best of all, it will be light weight. The 8" Tom came from eBay. It's an old Ludwig JR tom, and is actually fairly good quality. The best part is the double ended lugs actually match the old Pearl style of the other drums .
I'll use various old hardware I have lying around for the Tom mounts, arms, spurs, legs, etc.. This will be a low-buck kit, but I plan on using it for small venue gigs ( if it turns out good).
Tonight, I'll start sanding the shells, patching any bad spots, etc.. We'll see what direction this takes once I get started
Here's some pics of the shells to start.

[EyePea]

Looking forward to this project.

[Texdrumr]

Awesome. Keep us posted on the progress.

Tex

[N2Bluz]

I really wanted a 10" mounted tom, but they proved too hard to find cheap ones. I couldn't pass up the 8", especially since the shell construction and lugs matched the rest of the kit. So.....now I have a decision to make. Do I still use the 13" for the floor tom, or should I use the 12" (since the mounted is only 8")?

[crispycritters]

I really wanted a 10" mounted tom, but they proved too hard to find cheap ones. I couldn't pass up the 8", especially since the shell construction and lugs matched the rest of the kit. So.....now I have a decision to make. Do I still use the 13" for the floor tom, or should I use the 12" (since the mounted is only 8")?

The Sonor Martini kit uses a 13" FT with a 8" mounted tom. There are a couple of vids on youtube that are probable worth checking out. If in doubt - why not try the 13 and 12 once you have sorted the kick and tom mounting system - if the toms have the Pearl type mounting arrangements you can slide a tom tube into the bottom section of most cymbal stands stand or clamp to a spare stand to mount them temporarily before making a decision which one to use.

My Sonor Jungle kit (an earlier one - about 12 years old I think) has a 13" FT - IMO it is the best sounding drum on the kit.

[bdonley]

I've been using my Manu Katche Hipgig a lot lately. Stripped, sanded stained and Minwaxed. They were Bozo blue. Much better. Paid $300 @ the Pro drum Shop for them off the used rack. Jazz trio, R&B covers, 9 pc swing band. 10/13/16. Been really good, to the point where I've been thinking of 1 upping it. I've got 10/13 SSB Gretsch orphans. Just need to find a suitable donor bass drum. Not sure if it's really worth the work, tho. The Yammies have been really good..... Oh, yeah, that's a '50's WFL Pioneer mahogany snare. Just can't use the 12" with brushes.....

[FlyByNight]

Looks like a great project!

[late8]

Subscribed!

[N2Bluz]

Update-

Still working on this as free time allows. It been so nice this winter (high of 66*F today) that I've been spending most free time outside. I'll post some more update pics later today.

[Spiderjig]

66 degrees....WOW it's 20 over here on the east coast. Looking forward to pics

[N2Bluz]

66 degrees....WOW it's 20 over here on the east coast. Looking forward to pics

Yep. This weather is nuts. Nebraska in January should be a high in the teens and a low near or below zero.....and snow, LOL. I just took my dogs on a walk....in a short sleeved T-shirt....and I was comfortable.
This is not right. Reminds me of a couple winters ago when the jet stream was all messed up. One week of 60* and sunny, next week of sub-zero, next week of warm & sunny.

[N2Bluz]

Been sanding the shells and working on rebuilding the bearing edges. Not much to see at this point, but I should have some good stuff by this week end. For now, I'll post some pics of the inspiration for this kit.


I have some good ideas that should translate the theme without being too "cheesey" or looking like a toy drum kit.

[Spiderjig]

Yep. This weather is nuts. Nebraska in January should be a high in the teens and a low near or below zero.....and snow, LOL. I just took my dogs on a walk....in a short sleeved T-shirt....and I was comfortable.
This is not right. Reminds me of a couple winters ago when the jet stream was all messed up. One week of 60* and sunny, next week of sub-zero, next week of warm & sunny.

I have an aunt, uncle and cousins that live in Omaha and I always felt bad for them in the winter. I don't know the earth is really changing.

[SpazApproved]

Should definitely be an interesting finished kit. Make sure to keep us updated.

[longgun]

Been sanding the shells and working on rebuilding the bearing edges. Not much to see at this point, but I should have some good stuff by this week end. For now, I'll post some pics of the inspiration for this kit.


I have some good ideas that should translate the theme without being too "cheesey" or looking like a toy drum kit.

Kind of reminds me of the Gretsch '57 color scheme

[FlyByNight]

That's going to look amazing!

[N2Bluz]

Kind of reminds me of the Gretsch '57 color scheme

I originally wanted to do a 2-tone chevron theme, but I don't want it to look like a Gretsch '57 copy-cat. I decided to just do the skymist green and white coated heads on the bass and FT. I'm doing something different and creative with the 8" mounted tom. I'm going to TRY to have Bum Wrap color match the original Ford paint. I want it to remind people of a '55 T-bird/Fairlane without actually looking like an automotive theme. I want it to look like a drum kit from that era, just based on the styling.

I'm also thinking of doing a 1 up (8") and 2 down (12" & 13") configuration. That should set it apart from the typical "jungle" kit.

[SpazApproved]

are you going to powder coat your hardware white? You should

[N2Bluz]

No.......I'm not a big fan of painted hardware. Although, you're right. It might look good in this case. These shells are cheap Taiwan knock-offs and the hardware is not really high enough quality to justify paint. As it is, I'd be money (and quality) ahead to just buy a new Breakbeat or Safari kit. I'll probably have close to $300 in it with new heads and all. But, this is waaaay more fun!

[crispycritters]

No.......I'm not a big fan of painted hardware. Although, you're right. It might look good in this case. These shells are cheap Taiwan knock-offs and the hardware is not really high enough quality to justify paint. As it is, I'd be money (and quality) ahead to just buy a new Breakbeat or Safari kit. I'll probably have close to $300 in it with new heads and all. But, this is waaaay more fun!

I have the same feelings about a shell pack I put together out of used drums. A 10,12,14,18 - with a used14" Meridian Birch snare although they are from mixed shells from different starter kits I get more satisfaction from owning and playing them than I do from my Sonor Jungle kit. that is an intermediate (Maple with basswood) with quality finish and 400 series hardware.

When I sat down and added up the cost of everything my d.i.y. kit cost more than the (used Sonor) - and close to the cost of a new Tama Silverstar bop kit

[Bish]

When I sat down and added up the cost of everything my d.i.y. kit cost more than the (used Sonor) - and close to the cost of a new Tama Silverstar bop kit

Now you know. It's not cheap to do mods but the satisfaction and "new identity" of the modded components is a great feeling though not for profit minded fellows.

I put way more into my resurrection kit than it'll ever be worth but it was fun during the project.

Move forward, young pioneer. Let the revitalization begin.

[N2Bluz]

The most cost effective solution I found was EBay. Buying new parts adds up FAST. I bought mostly used parts when I refurbished my Maxwin kit. Used wood hoops, used suspension mount and vintage MIJ rail mount for the 13" tom, etc.. I have parted out several cheap Taiwan kits, so I have a large supply of used tension rods, hoops, mounts and even good heads. The problem is, I still want to buy new stuff.
On this kit, I need (want) a suspension mount for the 8" tom....a good idea for a small tom in my opinion. I'm afraid the tube mount will kill what little resonance and volume an 8" Tom produces. I also want a Pearl JG16 conversion kit for the 16" FT bass. I could use existing Spurs and Pearl style tom brackets....... but it just doesn't fit my "vision", LOL.

[kay-gee]

You can build your own tom to bass conversion gadget. Why spend $$?

all the best...

[N2Bluz]

So.......only 4 days after bragging about 66 degree & sunny weather, we get 8" of snow, high winds and sub zero temps. The forecast for tomorrow is 2"-3" more snow and a low of 13 degrees BELOW zero. I think I'll stay inside and work on my drums!
I managed to get the structural repairs done on 13"FT shell. I plugged the 3 bolt holes and the 1" hole where the Pearl style mount was. I used dowel rod on the bolt holes and cut a custom plug from an old REMO shell for the tube hole. I used a 2-part epoxy wood filler to make everything smooth & flush. I also filled the seam on the outer ply. It doesn't need to be perfect, since the outside will be wrapped and the inside of the shells will be painted.

[N2Bluz]

You can build your own tom to bass conversion gadget. Why spend $$?

all the best...

I might resort to that. I have tons of FT legs I could bend for the front....or even install some Spurs. Building a riser block would be easy as well. I just kinda like the design of the JG-16 kit.