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
I wholeheartedly agree!
I think you cover the nuances in a question like this very well. It is the same discussion, when we talk about rewrapping or altering hardware. Originality is fine, and important in some occasions. On other occasions, there are other priorities.
Altering an extremely rare, collectable drum would be quite foolish - but doing better bearing edges on a standard industrial product like a seventies Ludwig or Premier drum could very well be a good idea.
Not necessarily different, modern angles - as someone said, "if you want moderne edges, buy a modern drum" - just making them better, because a lot of those kits were built rapidly by ill-paid workers, sometimes with a hangover or what do I know.
I have had quite a few Premiers from the seventies - basically great drums, but not flat at all, and with very varying width of apex going round the shell.
I like the vintage sound - but I also like my drums to be tuneable, so I make sure they are flat, and then I resand the edges with the original profile. I like them looking vintage - but I want them to be usable, so I don´t mind changing pieces of hardware. I want them to be goodlooking, so I don´t mind rewrapping them, if the old wrap is cracked or if the kit is assembled from individual drums.
There are SO many of these kits, they are hardly collectable anyway, unless it is one of the few, very pristine examples that turns up from time to time. Leave them as they are, no reason to change them.
But my scratched, flaking, out-of-shape Premiers - I´ll try to make them as good as possible, original they aren´t anyway after 40 years on the road.
Regards
Jon
