As far as I know the royalstars were an lower line intermediate kit.but I think that Tama was making some of the best built/ sounding intermediate kits of the time mid 70's thru mid eighties.I had a friend who had one eons ago and I thought they were good sounding in that late 70's early eighties way,hers had some sort of wood outer ply also. I looked on the tama site and I saw that the later Royals were offered in a natural wood outer,looked like a clear stained birch or similar hardwood.I believe the Crestars(another int line )were offered in a few exotic outer ply options also.When the pearl exports came along that sort of changed the whole entry level ballgame,and while they were decently built and sounded ok,I think the Tamas were better built with better hardware and sound.The only info I saw on the shell make up of the royals was select Mahogany(prob luan) with zola coat interiors.I don't see a lot of these for sale,so memory is hazy on pricing,but here is how I would look at,60's and early 70's 3 to 5pc MIJ kits go for around 150.00 250.00,pearl exports 200.00 to 300.00, with Tams super stars going for 600.00 to 800.00 depending on condition finish and sizes.I don't think the royals being an offshore less than top of the line drum are considered collectable like the superstars are,but I the ones you are looking at have some good things going IMO,they have a nice outer ply,and look to be in standard sizes and depths so my gut feeling if they are in good condition 300.00 is a great deal,A nice sounding looking gig/rehearsal kit,to pay anything over 400.00 I would have to play them and really love the way they sounded.

thank you for the info :)

Could you please post some better pix? In the early 70s, Royal Stars were not a low end kit, they were one of the top tier. You can research them on the TAMA site by following this link: http://www.tamadrum.co.jp/anniversary/list.php?era=70

Here's a better pic.

[IMG]http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!C!ufYi!!Wk~$(KGrHqYOKpoEy+jC0D5BBNEQQYNqq!~~_3.JPG[/IMG]

Are those floor tom legs sub`n for spurs ?

That looks like Rosewood,..is it ??

Floating heads too,..right ?

This is a close-up of Brazillian (cherry) Zebrawood raw stock, I`m not sure if Brazillian Rosewood is also called Zebrawood too,...that`s why I ask !!

Missing damper/s, missing tom mount unit, missing bass drum spurs: I wouldn't pay more than US-$ 100 to 150 maximum.

Ralf

I'd have to play 'em and like 'em a lot to pay that much.

How are you doing Ralf? Happy New Year!