Also, my friend believes this is a Jazz Festival snare, but from everything I've been able to find on them they had Mahogany shells and post-transition badges. Does anyone have any input on this? This IS a 5" X 14" so I'm really not sure.

if its 8 lug and has a p83 with the transition badge, i'd consider it a jazz festival too. they were barrett deems models prior to that. mahogany or maple would be appropriate for any Ludwig drum really.

mike

Thanks, Mike. It is 8-lug with a P83. It's the wood and badge that had me confused. So, I still need to know if it should be preserved or not. I thought maybe spraying it with satin poly might hold the paint on for a while longer. Unfortunately, it is to the point where it is flaking off to the touch.

Is he planning on selling it, or is this just to preserve something that he's using?

He has no plans to sell it. He will likely pass it to his son, who is a pretty decent drummer for 17 years old. :D

It is flaking pretty bad. The decision is a tough one for this drum. Refinishing will reduce the value of this Jazz Festival, but the flaking paint makes it difficult to actually use the drum without causing more paint damage.

Applying poly might not actually hold the flaking paint, unless it's really thick. Removing the existing paint might be really easy too. See if you can do it without removing the badge. I'd keep the badge and grommet intact.

Just my opinion, but a natural maple/light finish on a vintage drum just doesn't look right to me. I think it looks like someone forgot to finish the drum. Mahogany is great. Maybe you could finish it with a darker stain to make it look mahogany, which was offered during this period. Wrapping the shell would require you to remove the badge and grommet, so I vote no wrap. The nickle lugs and hoops will look great against a new finish after they get a good cleaning/polish.

Keep us updated on what you decide and any progress when you start.

-Tim

Thanks, Tim. I can tell you appreciate my quandry. It's made even harder by the fact that he plays this drum regularly (in his rehearsal studio, not at gigs). He loves the sound of it. I'm even hesitant to take the lugs and strainer off to clean them, for fear that more paint will stick to them when they come off. At the same time, a superficial cleaning while they are on the drum is sure to remove more paint. Catch 22.

I do have a good quality Dark Mahogany stain from Zar, if we decide to go that route. It's not cheap stuff! I'll keep ya posted. Thanks again!

Yes, I do. Since he still uses the drum, just give it time and all of the paint will eventually fall off. I bet there are new paint chips on the floor every time he finishes playing. ;)

Give him some options with the pros/cons (i.e. reduced value vs. usability) and let him make the final decision. Show him some pictures of natural and mahogany finished Jazz Festivals too.

-Tim

there's one here on the forum that was stripped and stained. looks pretty nice I think..its a pioneer, but its still the same shell.

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=45325

mike