I applaud your fortitude regarding keeping the set as original as possible.If the seller could cut the metal to the right size on a shear it will make life much easier.

NAMM is a musical instrumant trade show-NOS=new old stock,like new parts left on the shelf.

Also,I have seen low grade stainless steel rust-like speckles.

Interesting thread on Fibes, I have a set exactly like this one, Its in great condition however since I've been gigging with it, its stating to show a little surface marks and scuffs here and there. I once took it to a machine shop to ask about polishing but they said it cant be done, maybe I went to the wrong place, but the idea of light sanding and clear coating sounds like a good idea. But clear coat is a really expensive process.

I have been watching this thread with great interest as I always find JC's work marvelous and often unique. I am also of the opinion that Fibes drums lend themselves to various chrome and brushed metal finishes. The lug design is extremely contemporary (even if by "contemporary" we are referring to the 70's) compared to the Gretsch, Slingy, Rogers and, to a lesser extent Ludwig designs. A vintage wrap or paint job just seems out of place to me. Regardless, whatever you end up doing with them, I am sure it will be great! Can't wait to see.

Thank you for your kind words. I called a chrome shop yesterday to get some ideas, we wont be dealing with the chrome shop. Now I am looking hard at purchasing 26 guage stainless steel and polishing it. I have pretty much given up on chrome sheet metal. THe stainless will look like jags Thunder kit, not a perfect match to the origional Fibes metal but very close and would make a awsome looking kit. Thanks for following the thread, I intend on keeping it going to the finish. Paint and vintage wraps have pretty much been ruled out at this point. It will be some kind of metal. I am going to talk to a buddy who owns a fabrication shop about the stainless, its a 304-b2 .018 thick, about six sheets of computer paper. But I need to figure out how I am going to apply it to the shells and get all the holes in it, fun,fun,fun,cant wait for that. I can purchase the material from a place in Seattle

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=30&step=2&top_cat=1

and its not bad price, 175.00 before shipping. But would like to get it local just to make sure it dont get bent up.

Later,

JC

Have been following this thread from the beginning and I have to say I really am enjoying it I can't wait to see the next installment. Just have to say hope your not planning on gigging these they are going to weigh a ton with all that stainless. :)

Hey thanks for following, this is going to be a learning experience for me also. And by the way, I dont do any gigs anymore, the drums will probably be set up in my office so I can see and play everytime I go in there.

JC

Well I polished the 14 and the 18 to see just how good they could look and wow I really kicking myself for removing the wrap from the 16"ft. Still need to clean up the bass drum and see what I have. I will have to wrap the 16" ft and the snare for sure but I am considering on keeping the rest of the drums origional. I have figured out that I am looking for, 24 guage mirror stainless steel for the wrap, just a matter of who will give me the best price.

Below are pictures of the 18"ft and the 14" mounted tom. From a distance they look very nice, but, some close up shots show the pitting and dents.

JC

Yes,I too avoid close-up's as I also have alot of dents and pitting-or is that I'm dense and pitting...

Just got off the phone with the sheet metal place, 490.00 to have them cut stainless steel for my drums, ouch! The origionals are looking better and better. Why did I strip that 16??? stupid me.

JC

I have a new qoute from this place

http://www.shopstarlandmetals.com/contact-us.aspx

$240.00 for 304#8 24 gauge mirror stainless steel cut to my specs and shipped to my shop. Enough to cover all the drums and even the inlays for the bd hoops. Now the final decision, which way to go,

#1- wrap only the snare drum and 16x16 floor tom because the snare was gold color and is extreamly rusty. And stupid me all ready removed the wrap from the 16x16 ft. Then keep the reaming drums with the not so perfect but somewhat exceptable origional wrap.

#2- remove the somewhat exceptable origional wrap from the remaining drums, then re-wrap all the drums with the new steel.

I like the idea of them all the same, and new looking. Dont like the idea of cutting the value of the drums in half by re-wrapping them all. Today, I lean towards doing just the two drums.

What are your thoughts now?

JC