Here is a pic of my "new" late 60s Slingerland kit in sparkling green pearl. I've never been a fan of green drums, but these are really growing on me.

The FT has been re-wrapped by a previous owner and it's a terrible job, but I don't think this person had any experience doing it. There are jagged cuts and a few bubbles. I'm thinking of re-wrapping the BD and FT along with a 12" tom shell when I'm able to find one - and can spare the expense of doing so - because the FT is so poorly done and there are lots of black spots showing up under the wrap on the BD. I've been wanting a champagne sparkle kit for a while, so that's my first choice, but the only thing that was close isn't available anymore. My next choice would be blue sparkle because blue is my favorite color, but I'm seriously considering going back with green sparkle now if I can find one that really sparkles like the good spots on the BD and the 13" tom that I have now. I guess I would need to go with a glass glitter, right?

However, with the talk of re-wraps not holding up very long, I'm hesitant to do anything to them now.

This is a broad-brush statement. It is easy to buy the same Delmar wrapped used by the majors. With a bit of research and practice it is possible (and not that hard) to do a good job re-wrapping. With proper use of the glue there will not be bubbling or puckering at lugs - those are signs of a poor job, not something inherent in the process itself.

I agree completely. Poor rewrap jobs are usually a result of poor workmanship. Rewrap jobs done properly can last a long, long time.

As for the wrap available today, I guess it depends where you get it. There is some CHEAP wrap out there and "you get what you pay for." However, IMO (and like rectums, everyone has one!) what Delmar produces now (available through several sources) is much better quality than several years ago. It is NOT as likely to expand and contract as before. It's like most any other product and has taken advantage in new "discoveries" as far as material composition and production processes are concerned. Not sure where/why the idea that it's the same old wrap keeps coming up.

Again IMO, the biggest single contributer to how wrap on drums last over time is HOW THE DRUM IS TAKEN CARE OF. If the drums are not taken care of, the wrap (along with the hardware, etc.) is NOT going to last.

CASE in point: My 1978 Pearl Wood-fiberglass set. I bought it brand new in 1978. It has been gigged around (in H&B hard-fiber cases) on weekends, sometimes a different place 3 time a week. Also set up for one-night-a-week practices. Many of you know the routine. When I quit that in the 80s, it did get set up and stayed set up over long periods of time in 3 different church sanctuaries (over 25 years or so). But even as they weren't being gigged around they were exposed to mild temperature changes (AC not run during the week summers, thermostadt set at 55 during the week winters), BUT I took care of them. Kept them clean, tuned, etc. The wrap has NO wrinkes, NO bubbles, NO lifting at the seams, and VERY LITTLE fading. I was even able to locate a matching 16x18 FT about a year ago that the previous owner had taken good care of... so you'd never know it wasn't part of the original set!

And to top this all of, my experience DEBUNKS the idea (IMO) that a "tape job" wrap is somehow inferior to the glue -- because Pearl's wrap process at the time I bought my drums was the "tape method." I believe the wrap held up on my drums (and many others) because of the way they were treated -- like treasured possesions. That's the key.

I've rebuilt/refurbished/restored/rewrapped many drums. I like to "rescue" drums that are considered "trash" by many. I've seen "tape job" wraps that are shot as well as "glue job" that are pretty bad as well. But I've seen the good in both as well. So how you take care of what you've got makes all the difference in the world.

Oh, and BTW -- I strongly prefer and recommend the "tape method" with today's wrap material (Delmar). I'm well aware many on this forum disagree and I've heard the many arguments and participated in many debates. Shoot, just look at Precisions and Jammin Sams websites -- they both sell the same Delmar wrap and have opposite documented opinions on how to install the stuff. Kinda like partisan politics I suppose. I'm sure I'm NOT going to change some people's mind and those same people are NOT going to change mine!

Bill

As long as the shell is prepped properly than you shouldn't have any problems with the wrap bubbling or lifting at the seems. The new glues today are not the same as the old ones, thank god! They are good though.

Oh, and one more thing about my opinions -- I said that my mind won't be changed about my views of the "tape method." However, that does NOT mean I dislike the "glue method" or think its wrong or bad. IF someone prefers the glue, hey, that's OK with me. To each his own. I just see the merits of and prefer the "tape method." For MANY reasons.

Thanks for putting up with my rant...

Bill

My best set,re-wrapped,but warm and mellow sounding.

I like green sparkle drums now.

Jeff C

Yes, the green sparkle is growing on me as well!