I would check the edges on a flat surface to see if there are any high spots. If not, a simple dressing with a fine file and a little sandpaper will restore the edge. If the edge is uneven, it'll need to be squared and re-cut. Precision charges $15 per edge, not bad and you get back a drum with perfect edges that will tune up and down easily.

John

Thanks John. I guess I was wondering if was normal that the drums came from the factory that way- narrow and rounded in some places, and wide and flat in other places. I guess they were really cranking out drums in the early 70s.

The saw blade marks and paint over-spray on different drums makes me believe it probably came from the factory that way.

I'll probably get them re-cut by DrumMaker in Nashville just to save on shipping charges to anywhere else. Forks Drum Closet offers the service as well and it may be through DrumMaker.

I know it's only 1 pic but it looks like overspray. You can do like John said with the flat surface or use some fine sandpaper or scotch brite or since it looks like it's been that way from new, just put some heads on and see how she goes. You're going to install heads anyway, might as well try it.

I found some '50's round badge Gretsch hiding beneath some ugly shelf paper (bass and rack tom) a couple years ago that still had the gray sealer with some of it splashed on the edges. Cleaned up quick with Scotch Brite.

Great, thanks fellas. I'll get them sounding hopefully as good or better than when they were originally made.

Interesting little blog on re-cutting edges here... "I've cut it off twice and it is still too short!"

http://www.maindragmusic.com/blog/bearing-edges-debate-or-debacle/

Thanks Jim- that is interesting. I've got round and flat edges, but haven't heard the drums yet (they came stripped). The goal is to have a consistent bearing edge. I might try some careful sanding after they're re-wrapped. We'll see.

Mo - If you're going to be making an investment in new wrap, doing the edges at the same time is a natural. Why have to strip them down and send the shells back later if the edges are bad? Double shipping, double work for you. Honest, I'd pay the extra up-front to insure that when I get the drums back I'll be able to set them up and play them right out of the box. Done deal. Shoot, if it was me, I'd have -all- the edges on the kit restored. It'll be like getting a factory fresh kit!

John

Probably the factory edges. I've seen a lot of questionable ones on drums that were totally original (still had the original factory heads). Customers weren't paying much (any) attention to those sorts of details back then.

Ya John, good point. That's what I had in mind- that way I could get a good looking bearing edge/edge of wrap. We'll see- I might learn how to cut my own because I've got a shell collection (read addiction) now. I have to practice a lot first though. I'll probably try minimal sanding first and see how they sound.

K.O.- thanks, it appears they're factory. I can see why Ludwig went to 6 ply shells- more uniform, sturdier and probably easier to make.