I bought this drum from Dave Mattacks some years ago . To quote DM : " I spent a lot of time and money doing this one up - as they say - and decided to have it strung with gut snares . This gives the drum a very dry almost " military " type of sound ...I am pleased with its sound on Home Is Where The Heart Is on ( Fairport Convention's ) ***el In The Crown . " It is finished in a creamy white lacquer and the original lug mounting screws were replaced . He may have had the bearing edges re-done , but I'm not sure . I could ask him . I believe the hardware was re-chromed , too . It came to me with a band that attached from the strainer arm to a lug bolt . I removed it , played the drum without it , and the strainer did not disengage into the off position . I think DM just put it there for insurance . Anyway , if anybody is interested just shoot me a PM for photos and more info .