Vintage Mahogany Shells

[OldSchool]

I recently picked up an early 70s Slingerland Mahogany kit. I'll be removing, cleaning and polishing the hardware as well as the exterior shells in the very near future.

I'm trying to find out whether any of you know of ANY reason not to use a product such as Formby's Lemon Oil Treatment on the exterior shells.

As usual, all information, comments, suggestions and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS in advance for your help!

[MastroSnare]

I would imagine that those shells would be coated in something like Dupont automotive lacquer and I can't imagine any kind of cleaner like you're talking about would do anything to the lacquer. When Henry Ford went to it the industry changed because it dried in minutes not weeks and everyone followed.

You could remove a lug and test a spot where it wouldn't show.

I don't know Formby's but I would use Pledge because I'm familiar with it. You can't really affect lacquer until you go to pretty nasty stuff like acetone but I'd test a spot to be safe.

I imagine they're killer drums.

[OldSchool]

MastroSnare: Thanks for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. In regard to your "killer drums" comment, the kit I just purchased is similar, if not identical, to MCJNIC's Slingerland 80N Buddy Rich Kit that he's posted pics of in the "Is This A Good Deal --How Much Is It Worth" section of this site.

The kit I got, however, didn't come with the cymbals and stands -- just the drums themselves. Hopefully, when I get them all cleaned up, they'll look as nice as MCJNIC's kit! Now, those ARE killer drums IMHO!Walking

[mcjnic]

Oh man! Are you serious??? You got one of these kits? They sound amazing! I am so incredibly happy for you. Did you get a snare? Did they do the snare bed at the factory? Do you have both pair of the spurs? Are they the real thin type? Did I drink too much coffee tonight???

Sorry 'bout that. I'm just really excited to speak with you about the kit. It's so cool that you got this one. It's like two football players having kids on the same weekend. Just too cool.

I use a furniture grade cleaner and polish on the drums. It works just fine. Had I realized the shells you were speaking of, I would have jumped on in.

Spill, man, Spill. Give us the lowdown on the acquisition and such.

I can't wait to see some pics of the new bundle of joy.

P.S. the wife does not want me to part with the Buddy kit. She likes that one. She also likes the Standard kit that she bought me. So, I will be looking at the little jazzer (or the gold one) as a potential sale. No word yet on that, but that's where it's leaning. None of it matters to me. I just play 'em. I leave these things up to her. I'm not attached to any of this and it would put a smile on her face. I will say that I'm pleased she wants me to hold on to the Standard kit. I really like that one. Neato wrap.

[OldSchool]

mcjnic: Try to curb your enthusiasm, please (LOL)! Based on your questions, I realize that the kit I purchased is NOT (:mad:) the identical one you've got. The bass drum in my kit does NOT (:mad:) have the double spurs. It did come with the snare drum, however. I've posted a few pics for you to see. I haven't had the time to clean and polish the rest of the kit as of yet, but look forward to doing so. If, after I'm done "cleaning 'er up", it even remotely resembles your kit I'll be thrilled.

[mcjnic]

...nice...very nice. That's the same finish. That kit will sound amazing. The shells should be relatively thin and very very nice. Oh man. I am so happy for you. That snare is in GREAT shape. Clapping Happy2

[OldSchool]

THANKS for the kind words! I found the kit on craigslist at what I consider to be an extremely reasonable price. A gentleman from Atlanta, Georgia was the prior owner. The looks of the snare drum alone sold me on it! The prior owner threw in his original cases with it as part of the transaction. I can't wait to get the entire kit up and running!

[69OysterBlue]

Nice drum, Gary!

I hope the whole set cleans up this well!

Where did you find it? (Sorry - you just came through with the story while I was posting this)

[kevins]

Beautiful snare, OldSchool!! Looking forward to the rest.
Congrats!!
Clapping Happy2

[OldSchool]

69OysterBlue & kevins: Really nice to hear from you guys! Thanks for the kind words. I just finished up the floor tom and attached a few pics. I didn't get to the legs as of yet and I'm still waiting for the muffler to arrive so that I can install it. Two down and two to go! Today, the bass drum's on the "to do" list. "Talk" to you guys soon!

mcjnic: BTW............... The wife's not too happy with you right now after I explained to her how, after viewing your kit, I "just had to have one."LoLoLoLo

[mcjnic]

Your shells finish seems to be in nicer shape than mine. Really sweet looking drum. What hardware did you pick up so far? Are you going with the Buddy stuff or the flat base stuff. I like them both...but the flat stuff is just a little bit cooler. Dang! That's a nice drum!

[OldSchool]

mcjnic: The kit came with the Set-O-Matic tom mount, floor tom legs, L-arm mount (no L arm, but I've already got one) and bass drum spurs.

I love the "Buddy stuff", although I've got a considerable amount of the "flat base" items (Ludwig, Camco, Slingerland). I think the cymbal stands you've got in your pic goes perfectly with this kit. Not exactly sure what additional items I'll be picking up to complete this one. I first need to get it cleaned and polished. I'll forward some additional pics at that time.

[lucky]

Sorry to chime in so late. You might want to try minwax paste wax. Gives a real shine and very durable. Great kit!!!

[OldSchool]

Just finished cleaning up the bass drum. Very satisfied with the results. I've attached a few pics (minus the spurs). Three down and one (rack tom) to go. Noticing different "shades" of the mahogany finish based on how the light hits it.

Lucky: Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I appreciate them!

[mcjnic]

Nice Bass. That finish is extraordinary. Excellent chrome. Very nice shape. Well cared for. Have you put thought into head selection? That kit would be a candidate for calf...just a thought. Still awaiting delivery of my calf heads for the same kit. Had to resize the flesh hoops and retuck. Looking forward to those. I'll post the results on YouTube for you. My guess is they are going to sound wonderful. Any problems with cracking or separation on the insides of the shells? That's an issue with Slingerland 3 ply drums. I was a quick learner on that point. A bunch of 'em out there, for sure. Easy repairs, but a problem nonetheless. You do understand how incredible your kit looks and will sound, don't you? Unbelievable. Nice stuff.

[lucky]

Wow, That is a real nice flitch of veneer on that bass drum!!!!! That curly maple takes a stain very nice, most times maple looks like s$#* when stained.

[OldSchool]

mcjnic & lucky: Thanks again for the positive feedback! In regard to the heads, I haven't yet thought about it. We'll see how that goes. No cracking or separation on the inside of the shells of any sort. Perhaps I got "lucky" with this one. Gotta go work the rack tom now!Walking

[jonnistix]

Bowing
Amazing. Those simply gorgeous drums. Hope they sound half as good as they look. A find like that is, well, like finding a real diamond ring in the Crackerjacks box.

[OldSchool]

THANKS AGAIN for all of the positive feedback. I wanted to post several pics of the "finished product" but, for some reason, they currently won't take. I did post one pic in the "DRUM IMAGE GALLERY" if you'd like to take a look. Now I've got to decide on heads, get my tom mufflers and look for some Buddy Rich style cymbal stands (at "reasonable" prices, of course)!Excited

[Tommyp]

OldSchool!...

What are the visiting hours for the "OldSchool Vintage Drum Museum/Store" ??!! LOL!! As always, a fine find!, and perhaps even more importantly, a very nice job on the clean/polish! That said, I have THREE SLingerland Buddy Rich cymbal stands in EXCELLENT condition if you have any interest. Just drop me a PM. I will say that these are the LATER BR models with the only difference being a slightly wider tripod base as shown in the 1976 Slingerland catalog, and right on page one with the Buddy Rich Outfit #80N... the real deal. I think they might be very happy with your set! :-D

Tommyp

[OldSchool]

TommyP: Humbled as usual to receive your input. Thanks for taking the time to provide such kind words! I've just sent you a PM.