Ludwig Gold Sparkle Super Classic

[OldSchool]

I recently picked up a Ludwig Gold Sparkle Super Classic with the company's transition keystone badge. As soon as I took the drum out of the box it was shipped in I could tell that it had been in a "smoking" environment.

I've removed the rims, heads and all the hardware and am in the process of cleaning everything. The wrap itself is in pristine condition. However, the interior shell has that "smoky" smell that actually makes me gag!

Is there a product that I could use to clean the interior of the shell without negatively impacting the wood?

THANKS in advance for your help!

[emmojo]

You might try Scott's Liquid Gold. A really good wood restorer and moisturizer. It should also help with the odor.

[OldSchool]

Thanks for the input! A friend suggested Formby's Lemon Oil Treatment. What I don't know, however, is whether the application of either of these products would affect "the sound" of the drum. I would hope not.:(

[mlayton]

murphys oil soap might also help you. it can be cut or diluted to your particular needs. its real mild and has a great odor. just be careful to not wipe that date stamp if there is one. they wipe right off unfortuneatly.

that sounds like a nice drum!

mike

[fred]

You mite try some frebreeze after you clean it with other products,that will take out the smoke and musty smell. Or theres a spray you can buy at a auto parts store that is for bad oders like smoke. But its quite expensive.
my company buys that to remove oders form inside smei tractors.

[lucky]

You can also use denatured alcohol to clean it. It dries real fast and it would leave the wood as it was. Would you want to put any kind of wax or conditioner in a bare wood shell?

[OldSchool]

ALL: Appreciate the quick feedback! Can anyone address whether using any of the suggested products on the wooden shell would affect the actual sound of the drum in any way?

MLAYTON: There is a date stamp on the shell of June 9, 1959.

[Tommyp]

OldSchool!...

Some fine suggestions to be sure! I will tell you what I do, as I have encountered this VERY THING on some drums that I have purchased/restored...

If you want to remove the "smoke smell" and clean the interior ply at the same time without removing the date stamp, try an "Enzyme" based cleaner. I use "Kinght's Spray 9" which is probably a regional product, although I can't be sure. Another readily available cleaner that is along the same lines is good old "Fantastic" or even "409". Liberally spray the entire inner circumference of the shell... let it penetrate for about 30 seconds or so... and them wipe up the "sludge" with a paper towel or cloth of some kind. The inner ply should be free of the smoke smell, and cleaned at the same time, with no damage to anything on the inside. If you have concern for the date stamp, spray around it, and wipe that particular area gingerly. I have yet to lose a date stamp with this method/products. Also...

You asked if the "sound will change" by doing any of this... and the answer is... no. The only way you would be able to modify the sound would be by FILLING IN the inner ply with a material that would make it more "reflective", such as lacquer or polyurethane. These cleaning materials completely evaporate and leave nothing behind... thus ... the wood/drum is still as WFL/Ludwig initially sold it!

Tommyp

[lucky]

This post brings to mind something I have been wondering about. Someone here said, maybe it was you Tommy, that Buddy would always request a few extra coats of clear on his shells. Does that affect the rebound of the sticks or just the sound.
Lucky

[LudwigVan66]

An old trick I learned when I sold suits years ago, was to take a smoky smelling suit and hang it in a travel bag, then zip it closed with a dryer sheet inside. Next day, shazam! No more smoke smell!

Try tying your shells up in a trash bag with a few, leave them for a couple of days and see what happens. It might just do the trick and wont require any work or harm your finish. Walking

[Tommyp]

lucky!...

Yes, that was me regarding the comment on the "extra coats of lacquer" on BR's drums... and if I may answer your question: Yes... the extra coats will in fact ADD a bit of brightness to the sound of the drum, reason being that the inner ply is now sealed, which adds a bit of reflectivity to the shell/drum. It does liven it up a bit, and especially back during BR's earlier endorsements when drum companies were not as a general rule applying CLEAR to the inside of the drum, although most all of them were painting the inside. Buddy felt that the paint "dulled" the sound a bit... and he was right! The clear doesn't affect the rebound of the sticks at all though... that still has to come from the drummer! :-D

LudwigVan66!...

Excellent on the dryer sheets in a clothes bag!... but ... that will do nothing to clean/refurbish the inner ply, and has been my experience, a lot of times they need a little refreshment, so to speak. On the mahogany inner ply of the older WFL/Ludwig shells, the enzyme based cleaner does wonders for the wood... leaves it looking brand new... but without any harm. For JUST a smoke smell issue, your idea is excellent though!

Tommyp

[OldSchool]

THANKS TO ALL for the great recommendations. I knew that you guys wouldn't let me down. You never do!Mallet Player2