I confess, I have had bearing edges re-cut on a Vintage kit. It is an MIJ Gracy (round badge copy). 3 ply with re-rings. I had all the bearing edges and snare beds re-cut professionally by Precision Drum Company in New York, who are some of the best (if not THE best) in the industry at bearing edges. They sound TONS better than they did before! I don't give two craps about re-sale value. It's my kit and it's fun to play! How much could I get for a third hand MIJ anyway, modification or not?No offense meant to anyone, but if the modification actually IMPROVES the sound or functionality of the drum, why not? I don't really get the whole "leave it alone because it's vintage" thing. Maybe if it's rare or really collectible (like original Vistalites, original Radio Kings etc.), then I can see that argument (remember mine is a $250 "players" MIJ, not an original Rogers Mardi Gras). But ultimatley, why would you NOT want the drums to sound better? I understand going crazy with drilling extra holes and all that, but bearing edges? C'mon. To not re-cut the bearing edges (if you can't get a good sound or decent tuning) just because it's vintage to me is sort of like saying: "No, I don't want that new furnace. I know the new furnace uses 70% less energy, burns much cleaner and is better for the environment, and heats the house 80% better, but I want to keep the old one because it's original. It came with the house".If you want to keep everything original no matter what, then fine. Put it in a glass case and never play them, just look at them like a painting or a museum piece. I subscribe to the theory that drums are meant to be PLAYED, and if re-cutting the bearing edges gives you a better sound while you are PLAYING them, then go for it. PLAY them and have fun with them while some of the other folks sit around and watch their precious, meticulously kept 100% originals collect dust because they are too afraid to play them! 99% of the time, I am filled with joy, peace, harmony and love when interacting with other friendly, knowledgeable and really great people here on VDF. The other 1% of the time is when I get a little frustrated about people telling other people what they can/can't or should/shouldn't do to THEIR own drums. When it comes to YOUR own drums, YOU should be able to do/buy/modify/play whatever YOU want. Just because you would never re-wrap drums, doesn't mean someone else can't re-wrap theirs if they want. Etc. Etc. Etc.Again, no offense meant to anyone, we all have our own opinons. I'm not right or wrong. It's an opinion I have.My three cents (inflation adjusted on the weaking dollar).V

Permanent alterations are for permanent owners. Sound is subjective so saying that recutting edges "improved" the sound won't mean much to the next set of ears. You're absolutely right that you can do whatever you want to do with your own drums, but if you alter them, then the only value in them will be to you. So, again, if you're plans are to keep them forever, then no harm, no foul. But after you're dead and gone, they will just become one of "those" altered kits.And I own many all-original, matched and unaltered kits that I have played over the years. None of them have ever been put under glass or collected dust. Like the people who owned the drums before me, I will maintain them responsibly.

Hobbs,There was a discussion here about a year ago about a Buddy Rich snare, the guy who owned it wanted to restore it. He was complaining about the inside of the shell and how it had a thick dark brown layer of shellac, he asked how best to get it off ...To make a long story short, I mentioned that Buddy usually did that to all his snares, "an unheard of amount of shellac" inside all or most of his snares. A few guys balked at that but JRFrondelli mentioned it to someone, I think it was Rob Cook, but I can't be sure, anyway it was verified about the shellac. Louie Bellson did it as well but not the the extreme that Buddy did. The shellac gave Buddy that trademark CRACK he got out of his snares.I don't remember if the guy striped the snare or not. If it was a REAL BR snare, his efforts to restore it to factory specs, devalued it.Someone I met at the CT Drum show last year, we had a talk about Joe Morello (he was supposed to do a clinic last year but he broke his hip, RIP Joe) Joe supposedly recut the snare beds on a few of his snares over the years.Some of this info is documented over the years, some of it's not. Guys modify their gear often to get the sound they're looking for. No two kits sound the same, so things get tweeked once in a while.

Just for future reference.There is no such thing as "upgrading" vintage drums.If you have an all original vintage drum kit,it has to stay that way,to bring the highest resale value.If you have a vintage kit,and don't like the way it sounds,or you don't like the hardware......sell it.Don't alter a piece of history.Keep it as original as the day it left the factory....or its a player.Good luck.