Mike - Al Blaemire -never covered his own drums-! Wraps were added by customers or drum shops, but Al himself never wrapped a single drum. Interesting fact. So even if I took on the monster job of stripping and sanding the shells, (which I'm not doing,) I wouldn't be "undoing Blaemires work." I would, in all likelihood be restoring them to their original condition.

One of the reason's Jerry gave me for not stripping them is, the shells could be yellow or brown fiberglass underneath. I love the green shells and that would be my only temptation for stripping them. But I'd rather leave them as I found them. I'll enjoy the hell out of them just as they are. I've been waiting a l-o-n-g time for these!

Thanks all for comments... photos to follow whenever they arrive at my home. I'll have my wife snap a couple of shots of me wailing on them. Can't wait.

John

DolFan: Would you please stop posting pix of this kit. At first I just drooled uncontrollably. Now, I get a tingle up my leg and a shiver down my spine each time I see it. I keep thinking 'it's the big one' ala Redd Foxx, and yelling 'I'm coming, Elizabeth!'

The major problem is that I don't know an Elizabeth, and my wife is getting ticked. It also makes the dogs bark when I yell.

Purdie: I only have one thing (and word) to say...

[SIZE="7"]!!!WOOT!!![/SIZE]

Hey John, just saw this thread you dog!! I can bring my 6.5x14 Jenkins-Martin snare to your place sooner rather than later if you'd like to play it before to decide that you want a 5.5x14. You can get some idea of its depth of tone and range.

PM or Email me when you get some time.

Mick - Pick up a phone and call me! Any day this week you can drive down, let me know and I'll work my schedule around your visit.

Come on down!

John

I'm speechlessified!

squint - The Jenkins/Martin snare drum will come with their own original lugs and hardware. Jerry's design is reminiscent of the old Leedy lugs, which I love. It'll go perfectly with the Ludwig Classics already on the drums. Same general shape and look. Kind of like a very classy Bowtie lug. The one in the photo is a 10 lugger, I'm not certain, but I 'think' the one I'm getting is an 8 lug drum. It'll be a surprise when I open the box!

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/B_5x14_zps9aa60707.png[/IMG]

And yes, Vinny is the best. I've had a chance to talk to Vinny on the phone several times over the last couple of years. Vinny is a really nice, soft-spoken guy who would give you the shirt off his back. I have grown to like and trust Vinny. No, better is; Vinny has -earned- my trust and confidence through his words and actions. One of the bona-fide good guys...

John

PS - I'm planning to hook Vinny up with a cherry condition 68' Acro as a thank you for all he's doing for me. Mind you, the man did not ask for, or expect anything in terms of being compensated. This is just something I want to do for him to reward him for being such a decent and generous guy.

Vinny - enjoy it when you get it! It's a nice one. Play it, sell it, do what you will with it, it is yours to enjoy or do with it whatever you wish. Thank you! John

well I learned something if he didn't wrap any. I was basing it on when jerry bought all of that new old stock wrap from mr. blaemire years ago. he had new old stock wrap of the same stuff that the manufacturers used. jerry sold a ton if it. I have a drum that was wrapped in some of it,sky blue pearl. I figured if blaemire had wrap, he was wrapping 'em!

mike

Mikey - I got that info from Jerry himself. Here is a that part of his note to me:

> BTW...Allen never wrapped one shell in his life. Wraps were always done by the customer or by a drum shop.

Jinx is my Bible on anything Blaemire, that's why I posted the info with complete confidence. I wonder if the early 70's shells I'm getting were manufactured in his garage way back then? Such an interesting character that man was.

John

Hey John I'm so happy things worked out for you on these. I have dreams of green glass too but need some green cash first! Anyhooo can't want to see pics. Lucky guy~! And Vinny your first class for posting and offering the help!

Im leaving in 30 min. Those Blaemires sound just insane. I went to Jerry's house several times and boy, THOSE bass drums!...Mind if I hang on the drums for while Johnny? hahaha! Kiddin! ...Don't worry Im a Ludwig guy...even though Im always having affairs with some Camcos, and Slingerlands and Rogers and Gretsches and who knows? I might add Blaemires to the list now?!Falling Do