First pics of my first DIY

[Mraverty]

Well, guys... here are the first pics of my kit. As you can see it's still a little way from completion. I'm an acoustic guy, but have been forced to e-drums for practice in my apartment. They're a lot of fun. I'm running them through my d4 for the time being.

http://picasaweb.google.com/MRaverty/EDrums

I made the crossbars out of metal. I was thinking that it would be a little flimsy when I first put it together, but it's actually REALLY sturdy! With only one bolt to adjust, it's very easy to make changes to the cone height, too.

I still haven't found a good rubber for my cymbals yet, either. I put the 1/4" jacks through the cymbals (facing downwards), because I was having trouble attaching the jack to the bottom securely. I still need to find something to hide the jack on the top (some kind of plastic project box, or something).

When all is said and done, I'll have a 13" snare and two 12" toms. I still have to:
- Paint the insides of the shells white
- Re-wrap the shells (I'm looking at a abalone pearl oyster something wrap)
- Finish the cymbals (rubber on top and foam tubing on the edges)
- Install all jacks (the Parts Express guitar jacks are in the mail)
- Make my hi-hat controller.

It's been a lot of fun so far. Thanks so much to everybody on this forum! I'll post more pics as I get more done.

-Mike

[zdavesf]

looking good Mraverty. keep up the good work. hope to see a completed kit soon. What module are you planning on using?

Dave

[lidrummer]

Nice work.

Re-wrap the shells (I'm looking at a abalone pearl oyster something wrap)

I just rewrapped my A-to-E conversion and I am in the process of putting the hardware back on and re-assembling the innards. I chose the "Dark Abalone Pearl" from JamminSam's and it looks fantastic. I'll be posting some updated pictures in a few days once it is complete so you can see what the finish looks like on drums.

Dan

[moja music]

I've got the pintech cymbals too. What's with the "pringle effect"? Do they all curl up that way?

[Demon Drummer]

Yikes! Get a carpet so don't scratch up that hardwood floor!

[vdrummer20]

Nice job, you going to cobver up the bottom of the snare? Looks clean. Congrats.

[cheapthrill]

Yikes! Get a carpet so don't scratch up that hardwood floor!

He's got a point, your landlord may not hesitate to keep your deposit if that floor gets scratched up.

Glad it is fun so far. I too, would like to see your kit when it is complete.

[Gastric]

Egads those Pintech practice cymbals really warp. That's crazy.

[Mraverty]

He's got a point, your landlord may not hesitate to keep your deposit if that floor gets scratched up.

Oh, man... let's not even get into my landlord. She's a terrible, terrible person, and based on the testimonials of a few other people in my building, she's going to keep my security deposit no matter what I do (I've actually put MY OWN money into this place). Luckily, I'm dating/live with a lawyer

I do have a rubber mat on the bottom of my kick pedal, and the studs are all up on the hi hat stand, though.

As for those Pintechs - yeah, it came warped like that. I was pretty disappointed. I've read about a lot of other people having the same problems... I don't understand how it ever made it past quality control. Then again, I've never tried to contact them about it, so I can't complain too much. I'll probably get a replacement for the crash, or try something else.

Thanks for all the encouragement!