Giltkitguy
Member
Several weeks ago I scored an undated Camco kit (12"/13"/15"24") with Sabian AA cymbals for $150. The kit had been sprayed with auto paint inside and out. So far I've cleaned the hardware, filled and sanded and primed the shells, and am getting ready to do a custom paint finish followed by clear coat. Two questions have arisen and after searching here at DW, I still haven't really seen a clear consensus. My questions are:
Gaskets under lugs? The Camco kit I have and kits I found photos of didn't have them. Their progeny, DW seem to have them, my Renowns and Premiers do, and as far as I can see Ludwigs and Yamaha don't. I previously read the discussion here about how removing the gaskets from the Black Beauty "opens up the sound". Common sense would suggest that putting several pieces of rubber around the shell would dampen resonance, whereas, allowing all the components of the drum to resonate together would be ideal. Of course there have been many threads about the affects of tom mounts, floor tom legs(and feet) on resonance . I'm afraid I didn't take the time to check to see if there is a link between shell thickness and use of gaskets. Are gaskets only common on thick shells, as opposed to ones with re-rings? Did I just answer my own question and waste 30 seconds of your life by inviting you to read this?
Raw or painted bearing edges? As I mentioned, the Camcos I scored were entirely painted with what looks like auto enamel. I'm not planning on trying to sand the bearing edges down to raw wood even though my Renowns and Premiers are so. The good news is that the quality of the paint job is quite professional, so the edges are nice and smooth. Is the general consensus that paint is less desirable on bearing edges?
I know there are some very knowledgeable members here who are builders and restorers. Would anyone be willing to offer their thoughts?
I'm not usually that obsessed with these kinds of technical minutiae, but I guess hanging out here has made me more of a drum geek than I used to be. (And I have to say that it's been a pleasure) Overall, I still believe that I'm better served to practice more and DW less. Let's just say I'm working on it.
Gaskets under lugs? The Camco kit I have and kits I found photos of didn't have them. Their progeny, DW seem to have them, my Renowns and Premiers do, and as far as I can see Ludwigs and Yamaha don't. I previously read the discussion here about how removing the gaskets from the Black Beauty "opens up the sound". Common sense would suggest that putting several pieces of rubber around the shell would dampen resonance, whereas, allowing all the components of the drum to resonate together would be ideal. Of course there have been many threads about the affects of tom mounts, floor tom legs(and feet) on resonance . I'm afraid I didn't take the time to check to see if there is a link between shell thickness and use of gaskets. Are gaskets only common on thick shells, as opposed to ones with re-rings? Did I just answer my own question and waste 30 seconds of your life by inviting you to read this?
Raw or painted bearing edges? As I mentioned, the Camcos I scored were entirely painted with what looks like auto enamel. I'm not planning on trying to sand the bearing edges down to raw wood even though my Renowns and Premiers are so. The good news is that the quality of the paint job is quite professional, so the edges are nice and smooth. Is the general consensus that paint is less desirable on bearing edges?
I know there are some very knowledgeable members here who are builders and restorers. Would anyone be willing to offer their thoughts?
I'm not usually that obsessed with these kinds of technical minutiae, but I guess hanging out here has made me more of a drum geek than I used to be. (And I have to say that it's been a pleasure) Overall, I still believe that I'm better served to practice more and DW less. Let's just say I'm working on it.