On drums...

Hi Y'all, late last year I bought some Makassar Ebony veneer with the intention of veneering my beat up Phonic kit.
After stripping all the shells (10,12,13,14,16,24, + 18x19 in waiting to strip) I was looking at having a massive array of Beech shells in Makassar Ebony, enough for any set up.
Some of these shells are a bit beat up, and after sending them in to have the work done I found myself in two minds as to whether or not it was worth the expense ?
Luckily for me, my friend's business had been very busy and he hadn't had a chance to start the job other than just applying a test piece.
So, I thought about doing some Phonic Plusses in Ebony instead, I have the 24x18, just need a 12x12 and 16x18 to complete my set-up.
My dream kit is an Makassar Ebony Signature in these sizes, but I have no chance of finding one in Australia, so, why not make one.
Yesterday I finalised a deal on a Phonic Plus 10,12,13,14,16,22 kit I'm going halves in, with a friend. I'm getting the 12,13,16, hes getting the 10,14,22, hes paying more, we worked out a scale to value the individual pieces based on Weight ( for freighting) and rarity/desirability of the drum sizes, 10 and 14 being more difficult to find, 22's weighing ridiculous amounts, and 13 being found on every street corner, 12+16 on every 2nd,3rd street corner.
So, I'll use the 13x13 as a F/Tom for the kids/Bop 10,13,18 kit, and maybe re-cover the 13x9 (which was for this kit) to match the beater Phonic kit it came from.
The Makassar Ebony veneers I bought are 4.75in wide, by 30in long, 33 consecutive pieces, they are absolutely spectacular, and I can't wait to get this kit happening.

Very exciting for me, more news and pics to come

Cheers

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Jeff
Gots ta luv da Beech
Australia

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

That's great news!! First the Classix and now you finally, finally get your 12" and 16" Phonics!!
The funny thing is I just sent you a PM asking you about those(and one other thing ). I can't wait to see how the Phonics look after the eventual rewrap. And having a beater kit for your kids is just so unbelievably cool!

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Ron- A.K.A "The Frenetic Rah Rah Guy"

Would live to see pics Jeff. I've been toying with the idea of veneering some drums for awhile. Maybe you could post the in process pic's.

Sounds like the project is changing but still alive.

I'm curious to know if you have played Signatures? The reason I ask is that I think you may like the Phonic Plus better than the Sigs, with the possible exception of the 18 floor (I never had an 18 Phonic Plus to compare, while the Sig 18 made the entire kit worth owning). There is no question in my mind that you will prefer the Plus bass drum.

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Gregory

Hold the Tomatoes: If you veneer Phonics with the Ebony, can we call them Ebonics?
Brian

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Drums and No Money will get Me through Hard Times better than Money and No Drums!
-A Recovering Drum Addict

Either that... or Phonys. ... Sonor SeemPhony has a certain name recognition - and the misspelling thing going for it. As long as you are embarrassing yourself, might as well go for the golden ring.

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Gregory

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Drums and No Money will get Me through Hard Times better than Money and No Drums!
-A Recovering Drum Addict

Thank you, Brian. Your humor, and the ensuing belly laugh, made my day!

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Ron- A.K.A "The Frenetic Rah Rah Guy"

Jeff,
I think what you're doing is totally cool. Personally, I'm a short tom dude. My custom Ludwig kit is all standard sizes and if I were to build an SQ2 kit, Sonor SeemPhony, or Sonor Ebonics kit, it would have shallow toms (7x8, 8x10, 8x12, 9x13) over big (24") bass drums. This will be a labor of love, so you really can't be concerned about whether or not they'll be worth anything when you're done. Truth is, I don't think any factory custom kit is worth very much to anyone besides the customer who had it built.

I always wanted to veneer one of my kits, but I've never gotten my head around the whole butted seam thing...
Brian

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Drums and No Money will get Me through Hard Times better than Money and No Drums!
-A Recovering Drum Addict