My new drum wrapped drums

Hi to All, 
 
I don't share much on this forum but in this case, I wanted you to know that I just finished re-wrapping my old drum kit.
I bought this set of Pearl fiberglass shell drums in 1973 from Mike's Drum Shop in Santa Barbara, Ca.  He was my drum teacher way back in the 60's.  
I have owed an old hand painted Slingerland kit (with sparkles applied while the paint was still wet), a cheap Japanese set with tin cmbals (the ones that dent when you hit them), a beautiful Sonor it that lasted from 1967-73.  
 
I bought the Pearl kit before I moved up to Northern California to play in a jazz/blues group called "Harvest".
 
These drums have been with me for decades.  I used them in many studios in L.A. as a studio drummer, on Sue Saad & The Next albums, movie tracks, and demos.  After all these years, the original "pearl white finish" dulled to a muted yellow.  Afterall, they are over 37 years old!  
 
So I researched the web and found Jammin Sam's drum wrap shope and bought the white pearl wrap and have spent the last two weeks working on this project.
I had to take all the lugs and parts off, clean the chrome, lube the scress, WD40 where applicable, tear off the old finish, clean up the shells, measure and order the wrap, install it, and today I finished.  
 
I am very happy with the result.  The picture I took gives you a basic idea of the finished product.  I wanted the white pearl to match those of Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Ed Shawnessy, and Louie Bellson.  Those are my traditional jazz heroes.
 
Now I want to put together a small jazz group and play a 4 piece kit.  I know my studio rock drumming days are over and now I am ready to apply what I have learned to some bebop jazz if I can find the players around my area. 
 
I will continue to record my drums on my own songs and others.  The shells are perfectly round after all these years and I love the sound of these drums. 
 
So there you have it.  My little project that I wanted to share with you - my online pals.  
 
Life is good.
 
Rimshot
 
Here's a picture:

 
http://screencast.com/t/L3o5KfyiS
 

Noice!

They look great.  Classic.  I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

Thanks to all for your nice comments.  I am pretty much in awe how this project turned out.  It was tedious but well work resurrecting my kit.  I can't wait to show it off live sometime in the future.  
 
Did you know that rubbing aluminum foil on rusted chrome will remove it?  There is a chemical reaction between the metals and it works great.  I folded a piece of foil into a small square, dipped it in water to give it some sliding action and used it on all hardward.  I really works.  I then followed up with chrome polish.
 
Also, I took all the rusted lug nuts and bolts and put them in vinegar for 3-4 hours.  The vinegar removes all the rust and stains!  I then neutralized the acid by washing in baking soda, clear water and then dried them.  I then spray WD40 over them.  They also turned out great.  
 
Rimshot

Hey Spacey, 
 
Is that stuff good for cymbals as well?  They seem to be the hardest to clean!
 

Hi Bob, Seasons Greetings!  Interesting story about the 1950's Pearl kit.  In my case, I selected the fiberglass shells because of the strength and thiness of them.  I worked at a drum shop right out of high school and we made drums and repaired music instruments.  The owner was an old man named Pop LaLonde.  He was an inventor and had been a band instrument repairman all his life.  He was also a very good drummer - the the vaudevil style (showman, lots of rolls and stick twerling).  
Anyway, he also said the thinner the shell the more resonance.  My Sonar drums had thin wood shells w/o the reinforcing rim like Ludwig had but they sounded great.  The fiberglass Pearl shells were thinner yet.  That is why they have such a great tone and are bright sounding.   After all these 43 years, those shells are perfectly true.  
 
All the best to you and family.  Good luck on your Les Paul.  Post pics when you are done!
 
Jimmy
 

Hey cclarry, 60 pieces!  I hope you didn't have to help him lug that set around!