1988 Yamaha SD493 Piccolo Brass Snare Drum - Restoration

I purchased this Yamaha SD493 off of eBay as a restoration project, and it wound up being much more involved than I had anticipated. I made a huge mistake on the badge, and learned how to make a pretty good reproduction badge as a result. I thought this restoration would be a straight forward process, but this video does not properly convey how many hours of research and elbow grease went into it.
Sonically, I chose to replace the aluminium Power Hoops with diecast hoops, to go after the same sound of the SD493 David Garibaldi used on his Tower of Groove video. Aesthetically, some purists may balk at my decision to go with the all-brass look, but I love it.
I produced this video in an ASMR style that is popular with other restoration videos.
Products used:
Polishing chrome: Brasso
Polishing brass: Maas Metal Polish
Regreasing: Lucas Oil White Lithium Grease
Stripping brass hardware and degreasing/cleaning: Acetone
Stripping shell: Citristrip paint stripper
Lacquering: Mohawk Lacquer for Brass
Waxing: Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax
#yamaha #sd493 #restoration #asmr #davidgaribaldi

[@puente987]

This would make David Garibaldi smile. Drum looks great.

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks!

[@stickswinger2006]

call yamaha and see if they have or ever had made gold harwardware for this snare. INCREDIBLE job. looks and sounds wayyyy better. thanks for posting

[@editbyStar]

You’ve earned the “Snare Restoration Master” title. My congratulations Sir!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@LDdrums20]

Incredible work! You used all the techniques from the restoration guys!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@juancabrillo2u]

You are a true craftsman and came up with a lot of clever techniques…loved the ball bearing to install the air hole grommet! Backing the punch for the badge hole with some pine wood instead of cement might have made for a cleaner hole. Great video!

[@PrinceAsmodeus]

Yamaha was the king of piccolo snares. Japanese made Yamaha are some of the best drums from that era. Excellent work, BTW. Subbed.

[@bnjikos]

The most detailed drum restoration I've ever seen. A wonderful result! Congratulations, you have a new subscriber. 😎

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@ramencurry6672]

I have an old Ludwig that’s corroded and aged. It could use a restoration but overall not bad and fine the way it is.

[@MikeBixby]

Had the same snare and sold it after getting my SD 435 DG signature snare. What a great job you did on this classic! and the Soul Vaccination at the end

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@timbofromkeno]

Man, I thought this thing looked fine when the video started, but it was amazing just how different it looked at the end! Great work, Kevin. Beautiful drum!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@dixonqwerty]

Oh man, I have an old TAMA brass power metal snare 14 X 8. I am absolutely giving it this treatment!!

[@the_rummer]

Legendary restoration of a legendary snare. Awesome work man. This was so mesmerizing to watch.

[@NotMyWar]

That was like “how it’s made” quality. I am super impressed by that transformation. This is the kind of stuff pride should be reserved for.

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@NotMyWar]

@@KevinCrafted you’re welcome man. Thank you for producing quality content.

[@vasbaba8764]

.. thank you so much Kevin, wish you the best...

[@spadds]

Great job! I picked up one of these last week in similar shape. I spent a few hours stripping it down. Rebent snare mechanism after cleaning and re-greasing, took a dent out of the shell, gave it a machine polish (left the lugs on), new heads and have new snare wires on order. It has tama diecast hoops. I tuned it up and of boy! What a snare! Thanks for sharing your project!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks! Hopefully this video helped with your project.

[@malcolmlarri8236]

looks amazing with brass hoops and lugs !

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks, I agree!

[@FrankB2]

I'll do that with my tarnished FF Pearl Brass Shell ! Thanks for this instruction video!!

[@KevinCrafted]

Glad to help!

[@calvinem]

Amazing attention to detail. Great work.

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@migueldiazdrums]

The badge was so badass!!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks, that was the hardest part!

[@normandea]

Very cool restoration project! Congrats on the finished product!

[@Elboy522]

I also put brass die cast hoops on my sd935! I need some of those brass plated tension rods!

[@StanleyRodgers]

I still have mine. It was the first high end snare I ever bought for myself. I remember visiting a friend in the Bay area and we were looking for something to do. the BAM magazine had an ad for a snare sale at Lemon Percussion in Santa Cruz so we jumped in the car and headed down. They had one of these all shiny and new. I was a pretty big Dave Weckl fan back then and this was the snare he used in his instructional videos so I splurged, and I mean SPLURGED, and treated myself to this snare. I still love it to this day. It is a remarkably fat sounding snare for its shallow depth. It sounds really good tuned medium and even low tension. Tune it up high and you could, of course, get a nice high crack out of it. Medium to medium low was the sweet spot for me though. Super articulate and sensitive. Such a cool snare. If you can get your hands on one, I recommend adding it to your stable.

[@KevinCrafted]

Great story, thanks for sharing!

[@rhythmcaster2018]

How is this possible? A drum restoration channel! You sir, please let me subscribe. What a golden find. Please keep doing this.

[@drumtravelfun]

Wow. A lot of love went into this reno. In hindsight it would have been worth the hassle of removing the badge, but that being said, you did an amazing job recreating the new one! Plus, it was cool to see that process, as well. The Garibaldi beat at the end was fitting. Great job, beautiful snare and well worth the efforts!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@Mike-ol7xp]

Yamaha Excellence Restored with Excellence, Great Job!!!!

[@Diesel0807]

These snares are legendary with all the heavy studio cats from that era they really have a nice crack

[@franckcascales]

Congratulation from France, you are amazing 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙌

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@janeb5936]

This is a great video! Fantastic work and a joy to watch. I'm a fan!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@theswime945]

Loved this, thanks for posting. Good to see somebody paying the same attention that I would. Cheers.

[@bonniebarber6114]

Wow! Incredible restoration❤

[@eliwill_]

Stuff like this never ceases to amaze me, great work man

[@xetradax2679]

this is an incredable job done

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@michaelkrysiak5282]

I picked up the same drum at a yard sale last summer. You've given me some guidance re the brass cleaning. I'll pull the badge before stripping the laquer Nice work.....Imagine if you could find a brass strainer /butt plate

[@grantnicolaou7216]

Master craftsmanship…

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@angeyoda]

Amazing work ! Stunning !

[@jergervasi3331]

I was watching your Eames chair video, had no idea you were a drummer… LOL

[@KevinCrafted]

Yep!

[@jergervasi3331]

Well, your work is fantastic, and your videos are inspiring!@@KevinCrafted

[@rapidohernandez]

Beautiful restoration, i enjoyed watching!

[@carvel9065]

Inspired! Got an old tama piccolo sitting around that needs some TLC. Good work!

[@spankthadrumz]

Thanks youtube algorythm for this very epic restauration ! Mesmerizing ahah !

[@jcdrums2798]

Awesome job! Excellent !

[@kkupsky6321]

I’m just glad someone is making this drum show. A lil too quiet. But Yaknow. Good show mate.

[@DarrenMcGill442]

A little Soul Vaccination at the end...sweet!

[@HaydesGrooves]

New Subscriber. Amazing work. Garibaldi would be happy with the groove at the end too.

[@danielcalderon8291]

I… want… that… specific… Snare!

[@agork]

I think he might let you have it for 5000,- USD

[@jarrahdrum]

I am quite blown away by this and inspired to have a go at restoring, subscribed, thank you

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@vincentquattrocchi7924]

I had that drum many years ago, oh man I wish I still had it,what a great Sounding snare drum.

[@pupoctus]

Truly amazing job, man!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@lanceschultz7132]

Sick snare. Im jealous.

[@Hoprgras]

I almost cant watch this. This snare was one of my favorites. I lent it out to a guy I went to church with in 2009. He tighten the head so tight (trying to get a 13" piccolo sound, when its a 14"), it stripped the Brass Lugs. I even attempted to salvage it replacing it with different lugs. That worked for about 4ys. Those gave away too. Then it was trash heaven. Unusable.

[@KevinCrafted]

Oh no!

[@Hoprgras]

@@KevinCraftedbut, I made good with it when my wife said it was cool that I could replace it with a Brass Recording Custom.

[@Trav84]

What an excellent idea for a channel!! You filled a very fine niche!!

[@robertdore9592]

14:12 cutting that badge caused me to 'hold my breath' 🙂

[@jodidavis6595]

Now you’re just showing off 😂😂👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🇺🇸

[@stephenspivack4343]

Awesome work! Given that you're quite the handyman, I am surprised you didnt first trying removing the badge before stripping the factory lacquer off the shell. I also always wondered whether the 20 little lug bits are actually made of plastic...

[@ronvallejo7987]

Great video!

[@webstercat]

Owned & restored three of them.. thought that would give me David Garibaldi chops….

[@comptondesign]

Excellent work! Looks phenomenal!

[@user-wt6dk8jj1u]

見てて気持ちいいです！

[@thiagoorsetti1977]

Amazing job, well done!

[@robertdore9592]

22:00 What a beautiful job you made of that restoration, it seems to me that this drum was Yamaha's answer to the Pearl Free Floating Piccolo. I hadn't entertained the thought of buying one of these; but it could very well fill the need for a metal Piccolo Snare.

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@binaryenvoy3090]

Precious work on precious snare :)

[@jimflys2]

Nice job. I do buffing and lacquer work and band instrument repair for a living. Mowhawk is a good Nitrocellulose clear lacquer. It is designed for wood, whereas Nikolas is for metal. It has adhesion promoters that the lacquer for wood does not need. But they are very similar. Not sure what you used to degrease the brass before lacquer. Nitro is great for clarity. Limited life. Even the original 2 part baked epoxy used by Yamaha had a limited life as you see. I love Nitro and it is easy to strip with Acetone when it needs to be redone in 5 to 10 years - Depending on the handling. Really well done.

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you! This was my first time doing anything like this. I did a lot of research on what the best option would be and settled on the Mohawk variety “For Brass”, but thanks for the tip on Nikolas. I used acetone to degrease prior to spraying.

[@jimflys2]

@@KevinCrafted Cool. I didn't know that they had it for brass. Great to know. Yes acetone is good stuff. You can also use brake parts cleaner the "chlorinated" version. Very good stuff. Do it outside though. Non-chlorinated versions are basically aerosol acetone. Still good. Very few manufacturers are cutting nitro now as it has been fazed out. Now you can get 2k aerosols from body shop supply places, but it is IMPERITIVE THAT YOU USE A PROPER RESPERATOR. The clarity is not as good as Nitro on brass.

[@tomkelsey2303]

Soak all the parts overnight in warm water and Dawn and you wont have to do as much scrubbing.

[@ralphtarr5931]

I had one of those! It had die cast hoops if I remember correctly? Great drum with tone and VOLUME!!! Nice job

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks! Some of them came with diecast hoops, some came with the Power Hoops

[@douglasdrummer]

Outstanding job!

[@nicholass.6829]

wow ... now it sounds exactly the same as a dirty one.

[@anthonykujawa-wj6cr]

Had 2 of them, always wanted the 8” version

[@grantdickerson96]

What you did with the badge was incredible Kevin! I'm curious if I could hire you to build a badge for one of my drums?!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks! Is it the same Yamaha badge?

[@grantdickerson96]

@@KevinCrafted Not a yamaha badge, what i'm looking for is a little odd but essentially a recreation of the tama superstar badge from the 80s.

[@KevinCrafted]

@@grantdickerson96 I may be able to help, please shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@milanthedrummer]

Amazing work!

[@jayeshjr5036]

I have the same model snare drum!

[@GZuraman]

Very amazing

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks!

[@Ian_P]

Well done. Great job. 👍😁

[@aakkoin]

Heyyyy, awesome... like the great restoration channel "My Mechanics", but for drums. Hope you do more, cheers.

[@KevinCrafted]

He’s the best… and my inspiration for this video!

[@andreasbreitwieser1449]

LOVE My Mechanics, he is awesome !

[@andreasbreitwieser1449]

@@KevinCrafted if you can go on with drum restoration, you channel will grow like crazy!

[@dustincassidy]

Nice “Soul Vaccination” groove at the end

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you!

[@chrisl2466]

Well done. Thanks, for sharing.

[@jonathanmcroberts8549]

Huge Effort! Great Result!

[@arturofernandez6088]

Great job!

[@pearlguy6351]

Omg I had this same snare I bought back in the mid nineties with my Yamaha stage custom kit great snare only thing I didn’t like were lugs couldn’t really crank on head to much lugs would start bending

[@KevinCrafted]

Yeah, a big design flaw.

[@joaogoes7124]

A única coisa que não tirava, era a placa de identificação antiga para mostra a originalidade.

[@Loszmi]

Time to restoring fence post ;-)

[@andrewpearl1875]

VERY well done!

[@Aleiuta75]

21:25 Dave Garibaldi my friend

[@flocore]

Excellent job! I bet you didn't know what you got yourself into, when you decided to do this, haha! This drum seems like the equivalent of the Sonor Signature models with all those parts. Personally, I like the contrasted look with the black tension rods better and I think the aluminum power hoops (as well as Yamaha's aluminum die-cast hoops) fit the drum better, as well. But that's a matter of subjective preference.

[@Twotontessie]

Ok hot shot 😂 tell me what to do with the old original aluminum PowerHoops from this era that have the chrome flaking off.

[@captainjay-gf6ws]

Dang that sounds nice.

[@bikilah]

Amazing job…..😮😮😮😮

[@vasbaba8764]

.. beautiful , job like a poem Kevin , is it easy to name all the ingredients you use by the time they appear in the video ? I can't recognize them, packing is different here in Greece can I do the same to a sonor hld 590 ? or do you have some recommendations ? thank you , have a nice day ...

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you! The description lists the products that go with each step, you should be able to match them up to the video. The lugs on your Sonor are likely plated, so you definitely would not treat them like I did the solid brass lugs on the SD493, I would just give the lugs/hardware an easy polish

[@miamimovies]

Costco microfiber towel gang

[@dhaitmanek]

21:18 am I hearing "Soul Vaccination" by Tower of Power with David Garibaldi?!?!? awesome groove

[@KevinCrafted]

Yep!

[@platboy1789]

i have a bit of rust on my SD 493 !! how long should i leave the flour/salt/vinegar solution on ? can i just apply it on to certain spots and leave it for an hour ?

[@KevinCrafted]

I left it on for a few days, but only 24hrs is necessary. Doing certain spots rather than the whole thing might leave areas looking cleaner than others. I don’t think this step is even really necessary, if I were to do this again I would just skip this step and go straight to polishing.

[@chetanmichael7396]

Wow I ❤maintainence l wish I could learn what u put to clean

[@KevinCrafted]

The supplies are listed in the description!

[@renanlirio6528]

Cadê os brasileiros?? Great job!

[@leokidd24]

Holy smokes man! You win!!! Wow 😮 Great job! 👏🏼 Would you be able to put a list of the products you used through the restoration? Like the pink goo and lacquer brand, etc

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks! Just updated the description.

[@Ferklaus]

Simplemente wooow !! Awesome

[@bdespain11]

Great job, snare looks awesome! I have a snare just like this. Where did you acquire the correct length snares for it?

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks! I got them from DCP. They're Pearl S025 Vintage Free Floating Snare Drum Wires 20-Strand

[@itaydobrin]

thank you for showing us the restoration, great work!!! can you tell me where do you buy the snare wire? I have the same snare and i can't find anywhere the snare wire

[@KevinCrafted]

Yes, it was hard to find. I bought the Pearl Free Floater model from Guitar Center. Puresound also makes a free floater model

[@wolfgangrauch2927]

Which snare wires do you use? Great restoration video of a great Snare - thanks?

[@KevinCrafted]

Pearl Free Floater model. Puresound also makes a free floater model

[@ruditelman]

Great Job! Garibaldi Fan?

[@KevinCrafted]

He’s my fav!

[@ruditelman]

Mine too

[@harrygiles7354]

Hey man, great work! I own one of these snares myself. I use it as my main snare above all others, it's definitely my favourite. My extended snare wires sadly stretched and have no idea where to get the proper extended ones, would you be able to tell me where you got yours? Cheers!

[@KevinCrafted]

Thanks! Yes, I bought the "Pearl S025 Vintage Free Floating Snare Drum Wires 14 20-Strand" from Drum Center of Portsmouth. It's also my understanding that Puresound makes their own extended model, but I'm not sure what it's called.

[@Eurodrummer666]

Stunning restauration for this gorgeous snare! Is more likely to have sympathetic snare buzz, due to the longer snare strands?

[@KevinCrafted]

Yes, the extended snares and parallel stainer system make this drum very hard to dial in.

[@BigChieff93]

How do you know if a drum needs snares to extend past the bearing edge or not? I have a Ludwig piccolo snare drum that sounds great but when I have the snares turned off they still will randomly activate when I hit the drum. I pretty much don't turn off the snare wires anymore. I saw the comment about the snare wires needing to extend past the shell on this piccolo snare drum and it made me wonder id that could be the issue with mine? It's the stock throwoff, but I just recently changed the heads and wires (it did it in the past as well). Awesome restoration and video!!! Thank you very much!!! 🤘🤘

[@KevinCrafted]

Thank you! This specific drum needs them due to its specific strainer system. Freefloating snares usually use them. Your issue might be solved by playing around more with the tension on the snares while the throwoff is deactivated, I don't think extended snares would fix your issue

[@BigChieff93]

@@KevinCrafted Thank you for the knowledge and the tip! I really appreciate it!

[@bonitabromeliads]

Why don't they make these anymore?