The Masters cut down

[Jutt8]

Ok fellas,

I took a big risk in cutting these incredible drums down, but this time the risk was more than rewarding. I knew I wasn't ever going to sell these drums, so I didn't have to worry about that aspect of altering a drum. Mostly, I just wasn't comfortable with the depths and setup anymore after getting so used to the BRP. The sound is as sweet as ever and the setup is perfect now. I couldn't be happier.

Dale Flanigan at Fortune drums here in Cleveland did a stellar job in cutting the drums down, removing the original rings without a blemish and reinstalling them, and cutting perfect 45 degree edges with a slight back cut. I can't tell them apart from Pearl's--they are that good and that smooth.

Got some opti mounts on them too finally!!!!!

Sizes were 10x10, 12x10, 13x11

Sizes now are 10x8, 12x8, and 13x9


NEW PHOTOS AND UPDATES START ON PAGE 9

[Jutt8]

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[nova]

He did a fine job!

[mattwalker_21]

Yea, he did a great job! Those look fantastic. How did the sound change between the big, power toms and these shallower ones?

[Slow95Cobra]

Looks great! I dunno if I could ever have that done... But it seems to look more comfy over the kick

[TWH]

Looks good! That guy knows his craft!!

[CaptainKDJ]

they look really good! I would have to agree... I don't like deep rack toms either!!! Nice job...

[Genius Switch]

excellent work. It looks like he re-used some of the holes for the lugs.

[nova]

excellent work. It looks like he re-used some of the holes for the lugs.

What year are your MBX's in Emerald Mist? They look better now and others have shortened their toms as well. The Badges are all level and the set up looks comfy. Is the sound better?

[MWRushR40]

They look awesome Justin! Enjoy!

[Jutt8]

He did a fine job!

Thank you Lonny, they came out perfect really

Yea, he did a great job! Those look fantastic. How did the sound change between the big, power toms and these shallower ones?

I may have lost some volume and depth obviously. They do sound a bit more punchy. The warmth of these drums did not change at all. They tune up great and sound incredible still.

Looks great! I dunno if I could ever have that done... But it seems to look more comfy over the kick

It was a very hard decision but one I'm glad I made. There is always risk involved, but I was willing to take it in order to be inspired to play them more and gig out with them comfortably. Friday night was a blast with this kit. it's like getting a whole new drum set.

Looks good! That guy knows his craft!!

Yes, he did a great job for sure. I'm very happy.

they look really good! I would have to agree... I don't like deep rack toms either!!! Nice job...

Thank you very much

excellent work. It looks like he re-used some of the holes for the lugs.

He reused one of the original holes. He filled one of the holes and refinished it with birch hard wood instead of wood filler to maintain as much integrity as possible and redrilled one hole. This was done to ensure the distance from the edge to the lug was the same top and bottom and also so the optimount would fit correctly. That is what I was told and everthing sounds and works great so I'm happy. The washer is covering the filled hole so you wouldn't be able to tell it was done unless you took the lug off.

What year are your MBX's in Emerald Mist? They look better now and others have shortened their toms as well. The Badges are all level and the set up looks comfy. Is the sound better?

1993 Lonny, the first year the Masters Series was introduced. The badges are all centered and the vent holes were by default put in the golden ratio position----LOL. Maybe not exactly but it sure does look like it. Who woulda thunk it?

They look awesome Justin! Enjoy!

Thank you Chris.

[ntime]

Those came out great and definitely more comfortable to play. I know they sound damn good too!!

[Jutt8]

Those came out great and definitely more comfortable to play. I know they sound damn good too!!

Thank you for the compliment Frank---you are right. Only change was a little less volume maybe and more punch. The warm characteristics of the toms did not change.

[chilipeppermaniac]

Jutt, you said... "He reused one of the original holes. He filled one of the holes and refinished it with birch hard wood instead of wood filler to maintain as much integrity as possible and redrilled one hole. This was done to ensure the distance from the edge to the lug was the same top and bottom and also so the optimount would fit correctly. That is what I was told and everthing sounds and works great so I'm happy. The washer is covering the filled hole so you wouldn't be able to tell it was done unless you took the lug off."


How much does he charge? I might be interested in doing that to 1-2 toms I have, a 10x10 and 12x10. I have been wanting to do that same thing for nearly 10 yrs ever since I got 1 kit that has 10x10,12x10,14x12,16x14. I was thinking 10x8 or 10x9 whichever works to reuse the 1 original hole and maybe doing the same with the 12x10. I am not sure about the need to fill a hole and I might not be as picky about edge location if I could simply cut off 1 hole, reuse the remaining existing one and then just drill for the 2nd hole. I guess I'd have to see it all before I committed. if it meant having a 10x9 instead of a 10x8, so be it. It is still progress I guess. Anyway, nice job and congrats.

[Jutt8]

Jutt, you said... "He reused one of the original holes. He filled one of the holes and refinished it with birch hard wood instead of wood filler to maintain as much integrity as possible and redrilled one hole. This was done to ensure the distance from the edge to the lug was the same top and bottom and also so the optimount would fit correctly. That is what I was told and everthing sounds and works great so I'm happy. The washer is covering the filled hole so you wouldn't be able to tell it was done unless you took the lug off."


How much does he charge? I might be interested in doing that to 1 tom I have, a 10x10. I have been wanting to do that same thing for nearly 10 yrs ever since I got 1 kit that has 10x10,12x10,14x12,16x14. I was thinking 10x8 or 10x9 whichever works to reuse the 1 original hole and maybe doing the same with the 12x10. Where exactly was the "filler" stuff he used located? Describe why it was necessary a little better as well if you would be so kind. Thanks

Hey Chili,

I'll pm you on the cost. I don't think you could get your 12x10 cut to 12x9 unless you filled both the old holes and redrilled new ones. In order to minimize the amount of drilling you have to go 12x8. That is how I understand it. So you could have 10x8 and 12x8 sizes with the least amount of redrilling in other words. I don't understand what you mean by where was the filler stuff he used located? Do you mean where is it on the drum or where did he get the birch hardwood?

I think it's better to use the same hardwood as a dowell rather than just getting any old piece of wood or wood filler to ensure that your dowell is solid. In my mind if the fit is tight, which it is very tightly bonded, then I feel the integrity of the shell is as good as it can be under the circumstances. I would rather have a birch hardwood dowell rather than wood filler puddy or just some random wood sticking in there. To be honest, I'm not a wood worker so that was all recommended by Dale and it sounded like the best option if I wanted an equal distance between lugs and bearing edge on both top and bottom. By doing that we also made sure the opti's were going to fit correctly. I hope that helps and makes sense. If you do something like this, make sure you ask lots of questions to whomever you get to do this so you are comfortable with the whole process. I was very worried too and asked a lot of questions. Dale has done several of these types of cut downs and he made me feel confident. The drums do sound as good as ever. You would never ever know anything was done unless you too the hardware off.