Looks like he just used a rims mount style basket on the FT, so the holes are probably just covered with wrap. .

I agree that those drums could have been just fine the way they were (although the avanti tom setup is goofy as hell)

Yea the three toms on top always looked a bit wonky to me. But something you don't much these days. Maybe I just prefer the classic look of the vintage kits.The re-wrap looks generic to me ( because black isn't generic?? lol )

I actually think he improved them. But I am one of the few people that just dont like black drums ( or cars). Maybe he used the tape method so the wrap could be removed and the the original finish saved. Its not my favorite wrap choice but still better than black.

I think what gets to me ( personally, so I gotta check myself ) is this. We on this forum love the vintage gear, and talk about how rare it is to find kits from the days gone unaltered with original parts throughout. Usually there is something missing,banged up,extra holes,etc... So when I see a kit that is dirty but otherwise untouched it makes me batty when people alter them. There are plenty of vintage project kits that could use some TLC to become great player kits.

For the record - I might just be full on crazy and that's why this bothers me. Probably shouldn't, really doesn't matter either way. But it still does...

What bothers me is when people try and make a "One up, Two down" setup but they dont have two floor toms.. Having that small rack tom set up as a floor tom means you dont have any tonal seperation between rack tom and floor tom, and you wont get over to the 16" drum as much either. Its like a "wanna be" setup.

(Im guilty of setting up an old ludwig kit like that once, but I quickly realized my fills sounded like crap, going between a 13 and 14" tom instead of a 13" and 16" tom)

Maybe the guy was not a vintage nut, I doubt he really de-valued them, a 70's Slingerland in a black wrap isn't that desirable. As far as the set-up goes, ya, it looks goofy, but with the right tuning, you can make anything work.

If I understand where you're coming from, there's plenty of kits that need a re-wrap, this one didn't, so don't frickn re-wrap it. Doesn't drive me nuts but I certainly hear ya! :)

Mitch

I'll take the original black wrap and stock parts any day. Not a huge fan of black wraps but dang they do look sweet all cleaned up and shiny! Too bad he didn't give them a chance before diving in. Different strokes I guess. They are only original once. I dig the 3 tom Avante kits too.

Well, the end result is more attractive then the originals, but its no longer a vintage set of drums. They are like Frankendrums. I'm glad the original set was not in mint condition with a more interesting wrap which would have made the changes more distasteful. Its harder and harder to find 40 to 60 year old vintage kits in good condition. I hate seeing one turned into something its not.