Gary what is the rod length ?

1 & 7/8 inchs from under the collar to tip. I've edited the post. Thanks for mentioning it - that does help.

The badge I'm looking for is pictured on page 84 of Rob Cook's The Gretsch Drum Book.

I posted what I'm looking for in the Wanted section of the Forum

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?p=304786#post304786

ok, thx. I'll see if I have them.

I found the t-rods and a few clips that I can use in my parts bin.

All I need now is the rectangular badge.

Thanks,

Gary

Cool. sorry I don't have the badge !

I found the badge - hopefully it will be in the mail tomorrow.

Here it is

Now - It's the on-going rust removal process.

I decided to strip the black lacquer. I was going to repaint the drum in Nitrocellulose lacquer but have decided to go with Tung Oil. I have a 49 Gretsch 10.14 parade drum that I finished in Tung Oil and I've always been happy with the end result.

It would be difficult..if not impossible..to get the lacquer out of the Mahogany ply but I still like the look of it.......bronze with dark highlights haha. I have all the hardware including the snare wires cleaned, the badge plate is on the way - in the mail - and I've just finished the 3rd coat of tung oil.

Having decided on the 'natural' finish I left the dints (the Honourble Scars!) in the shell = no fill/putty etc. There is one technique for pulling out dents in wood that I haven't tried yet but I would want to practice on some similar wood before trying it.

Here's the method:

If the fibers are just impacted but still there you can put a drop of water on them and try a little heat from the corner of an iron or a soldering iron. Careful not to burn the wood but get it steaming a bit. The wood may start to go back. You don't apply so much heat that you damage the lamination.

I read about it on a Woodworkers Forum recently.

Here's the drum after 3 coats T/O