Well, I'm giving here a few thoughts on the kind of restoration I'm busy with.
I've performed quite extensive plugging and crack repair using wood patches/plugs. Some will certainly think that it might affect the sound. Well, to be honest, I have no idea. Maybe a slight impact. But I personally think that a heavy piece of cast metal like a tom mount on a bassdrum affects the sound more than a few small wood patches.
Some might also think that I shouldn't denature the style of an old drumkit, and that I should strive to restore it to its original condition. I don't do it for two reasons.
First of all, I only work with less valuable models, that you can come across for almost nothing. My concept is to take advantage of the built quality of those drumkits, but give them another look.
See it like some sort of upcycling rather than pure restoration.
Secondly, I try to keep it on a low budget, and find alternative solutions in terms of finish and missing parts. I'd rather source cheap SONOR German made hardware leftovers than try to look for that original drum part.
I love a players' drum, an instrument that's meant to be banged.
