How To Refurbish a $17 Snare Drum from Craigslist

A few weeks ago I got a call for a gig. Now, I have to admit a secret. All the years I’ve been an NYC-based drummer I have NEVER owned a drum kit… I DO own hardware and some cymbals. To play this gig, I need a very basic setup. I needed a snare [drum], hi-hat cymbals, and a bass drum. So far I’m one for three, had the hi-hat already. With a tight budget to work with, less than $50, it was off to Craigslist to find a suitable snare drum.