This project involved two different parts. I decided to strip a 4x14 1920's nickel-over-brass snare shell down to the brass. (The nickel was in bad shape anyway.) I also soldered some of the tube lugs back together and smoothed out some nicks. Following those steps, I black lacquered the snare shell and gold painted/lacquered the hardware for the drum. I had to purchase used single flanged hoops and new clips and tension rods. I thought this all turned out very nicely, however if I wanted to actually use the drum extensively I would replace the lacquered hardware with brass hardware to prevent chipping.
Next I decided to learn how to tuck calfskin heads. I bought some cheap calf pieces and some new flesh hoops from Cooperman, unglued in order to size them up to the oversized shells. The other shell is a 12x15 Rogers Wayport model field snare that I refinished in another project. Both drums turned out very nice!
 Shell before being stripped. |
 Some tube lugs were resoldered. |
 The lugs before being coated. |
 My tucking tool I made. |
 Where the magic happens! |
 Gluing the flesh hoops. |
 The Rogers drum is done! |
 In the process... |
 Letting the heads dry out. |
 Close up of "gold" hardware. |
 It's done! |
 Bottom head view. |
 Close up of "Ludwig" butt plate. |
 Black and Gold Beauty! |