I can't really tell from the photos, but I seriously doubt they were replated w/ Aluminum. It was most likely Chrome, don't you think ? What makes you think it is Aluminum ? These are excellent, & very desirable instruments. I don't think new plating will actually hurt any sales.

Most they have been chromed aluminum does not stick to Brass, these drum never lost its vintage status. The Chrome Just Not an original look for these timbales . You can remove the chrome from them and bring them back to it's original. I happen to own the largest collection of these timbales. I also have sold quite a few of them and there price just keeps going up. Here is some photos of some of my sets you can also se other set I own on https://www.myspace.com/cuquito717 photos or on https://www.facebook.com/faustino.cruz Just go to Photos on both sites . Those that you have with black Tags are 1952-1954 the end of the Leedy era by Conn and a new beginning in 1956-1965 made under Slingerland , but not of the same quality.

Thanks for the insight - you're right it probably is chrome, but I don't think I will undertake having it taken off. If I decide to sell them, I'm guessing from what you tell me that the price would be about the same as unplated?

Plated does not attract attention to much , the more original the better. Also another tip these timbales sound the best with calf heads, with plastic it like any other set of timbales.

Thanks C, in any case I will probably look to unload them without going through too much trouble.

Here You have few of my sets of LEEDY AND LEEDY & LUDWIG dating back from 1944 before endorsement of Humberto Morales and the 1954 end of an era.