I recently found this old photo from 2014. From Left to right: original drum I repaired with new hoops(sold) 16”x12” steam bent ash (sold), and 16”x14” steam bent ash (sold).  The 16x12 and 16x14 were stained with aniline dye (dark vintage maple transtint)  and finished with oil varnish (Waterlox brand). This finish was pretty easy to apply but wasn’t the most historically accurate. I was going for the look of shellac without going through the painstaking process of applying many thin coats.

I have two drums I am working on now that I will be french polishing with 100% shellac.