Don`t do it until you give us a pic. Let me see them, your problem may not be the edges or it may, if you are unsure, let me see them !!

It would be best to show them up close and top view, side view and overall view !!

Wow ... looking at this thread and posting earlier today may have pushed me to do what I've been putting off indefinitely. I see that an earlier poster mentioned Precision Drum Inc as a good source for fixing questionable bearing edges. They are located in Pleasant Valley, NY .. that's about 80 miles from NYC. I will contact them and see fi the cutting can be done the same day with prior request. I don't like the idea of having to ship my gear someplace and then have it shipped back, however, if anyone can provide another company closer to NYC that they trust, please pass along the info.

This may be informative for many. I am sure Precision would do a fine job and since it is only one drum, they would probably be champions of customer service and take care of you as you wait (or watch).

At the same time, let me share a little strategy that was shared with me (by themselves) at Anderson Trading in Anaheim. Call them and ask for Bonnie and explain what you are doing and asking for and she will check her records of customers (which are typical drum builders) near your area. She will provide you some contact information with someone that could likely cut edges for you. She has been there for many years and is one of the nicest gals you could ever meet. For all you Californians reading this, Anderson Trading www.aitwood.com are a great source of shells for your projects, as well as many other wood products for many applications (attn jccabinets). I have 2 snares made from their shells (10 ply maple) from the 90s and they made great drums.

John

The fine folks at Precision Drum will do a wonderful job on your drum! One day cutting may not be possible, as they do allot of work, but you never know. Be assured that whoever works on the shell will take off the MINIMUM amount to level it and then a proper bearing edge will be installed. An excellent edge for most drums, especially vintage, is a round-over/45. I believe this edge is mentioned at their website... www.precisiondrum.com so check it out! It's an inward 45-degree cut with a round-over counter cut. A really nice edge!

Mark

Hi Guys

thanks a lot for the many many reply's :) Did not expect to so many of them :)

I only will be able to post some pics in one week....

I must admit you convinced me to go to an artisan. I will not be able to go to that shop you are telling me, because I'm from Europe.....and we have a amazing craftsmand/drumbuilder here just near where I live who makes incredible drums AND has a lot of experience in re-doing bearing edges in vintage style.

I would not be the first one to go there.

And about collectability....it's the original mach 4 from the 1971 catalogue.....ok, maybe now it's not so collectable, but who knows in 10-15years....I haven't seen one like that before.

So, do the tom and the floortom? The floortom sounds amazing anyway.....

I must say, I already went into the studio with that drum and they loved it even with the old edges :). I must admit they asked me to tune my 13" lower because it was ringing while playing my bassdrum.

I will try to post some pics in one week...

P.S.: for me, I was looking for a nice pop kit that sounded completely different than my yamaha drums (10-12-14 setup recording custom and MCA). So I want it to SOUND in first place :) And to be able to - if necessary - to tune it low to create completely opposite of the 10-12-14 setup.

P.S.: for me, I was looking for a nice pop kit that sounded completely different than my yamaha drums (10-12-14 setup recording custom and MCA). So I want it to SOUND in first place :) And to be able to - if necessary - to tune it low to create completely opposite of the 10-12-14 setup.[/QUOTE]

I wish more people would post like this! You have pretty much described exactly what you are looking for in very concise terms. I would absolutely re-cut the edges. You should be able to tune that 13" really low which would create a dark timbre that is synonymous with vintage drums. You should also be able to tune it up higher which is also a characteristic of a vintage sound. That kit would have been made during the fashion transition of going from a relatively high tuning found in a lot of pop records in the mid to late sixties to the much deeper tuning favored in the 70's. The shell technology did not change so your drum should be able to give you both. You will probably find that the Lidwig kit will sound darker, warmer and not have as much volume while the Yamaha kit will probably be a bit brighter, possibly "wetter" and certainly louder. Two really good studio drum choices. With just those two kits you should be able to achieve a wide range of tonal possibilities that engineers and producers will love. Fix that 13" so that you have whatever they need in your arsenal!

While I agree with tnsquint,...You would have been better served to get Phonics in Europe !! Just my opinion, all what you want without changeing anything !!

Gary. of precision, wrote me today. he said they can do all three drums in about 2 hours but to just give them a call a few days in advance

I had the edges cut on my early Pearls...and what a difference it made. Yeah...they are Pearls and not worth much. But still I wanted them to perform. I have much better tuning range now, better tone, more volume, and really it is cheap when you figure that when it's done you will basically have a completely different kit with more ability and better sound.

If it were a very low production museum piece worth a mint sitting in a glass vault never to see a stick again...yeah I wouldn't cut it. If you ever intend to use a drum for what it was made for...I would have the edges cut no questions asked. Bernie Stone (Stone Drums, Ft. Wayne, IN) did mine and hopefully when I get my Ludwigs done, he will cut those edges as well.