This was a 9x13 tom with both heads tacked. The shell had some nasty gouged and was split at the 'tack' lines on both heads. I could have tossed it but decided to take the finish off and sand. The shell was nicely figured maple - 3ply I'm pretty sure. I cut it down, sanded the edges and hand sanded some 'roll-over' edges. The drum is 6 3/4" now.

I applied a few coats of Tung Oil and 8 or 9 coats of Clear Gloss Poly to bring out the wood and make for a nice hard finish. It is the very first time I drilled a hole in a shell - let alone a vintage shell. I put a nice Gibraltar tom mount on it and some Gibraltar hoops. I used some old Gretsch lugs...from the late 50's....and they worked fine. I chose a six lug because I had six Gretsch lug. I may want to convert this to a snare later on. I drilled the shell for an air hole and put a brass Gretsch gromet in there - perfect - nice and tight.

BEFORE AND AFTER