DaveInNZIt's one thing to make a mod on a drum when you know what you have, and know what you want the end result to be. Cutting down deep bass drums and tom shells comes to mind.
But, I saw several months ago someone trying to sell a Signature Ferro-Manganese snare drum with the original parallel strainer system removed and a generic(ish) throw and butt added using holes drilled asymmetrically and unevenly. Could be that a kid was given it by someone who assumed he would take care of it. Or it could be a pawn shop score that went for cheap because it wasn't working right, or was missing parts. But, for whatever reason, someone made a decision to drill erratically placed holes. His, youth, low IQ, inebriation or whatever the drive force was forever defaced this poor instrument. And maybe, they just didn't get it!
When I had by Signature series set 20-something years ago, it was set up in a practice room and there was a guy there with a cheap set of something (maybe Mapex-don't really remember) and he walked over one day and told me that if that (the Signatures) was his drum set, he would shellac the shells so they would be glossy. I tried to explain to him that it was a classy finish on a high end set of drums but it just went over his head. I liken what he suggested to spray painting a DeLorean.
What have you seen, or experienced along these lines?