Old snare drum finish

[Robbie Cantey]

A friend found this snare and wants to clean it up. Anyone know what finish this might be? I think the wood is Scandinavian Birch. Any advice about how to go about the restoration would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

[bowman]

Looks like a shellac finish, try rubbing some Denatured Alcohol in a not so obvious spot to see if it loosens up any.

 

[mdbuntyn]

If the denatured alcohol doesn't affect it, try lacquer thinner

 

[Robbie Cantey]

Thanks y'all! I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Oka]

Sonorlites are a drum made from Baltic birch, but the plys are different thicknesses, that is their claim to how nice and reactive the drum responds. The Natural ones like this one look like either a shellac base or more likely, a sealer, that pre tints the wood and then they add amber or brunt sienna gold to the lacquer finish. The Company is about 40 years old so the drum is 40 years minus. Jazz and Jazz fusion guys like them.