fishwaltz, you're speaking the truth. While playing them, you have to fall in love with them immediately. Then pay the price they're worth it - for you.

And: yes - I'm fine, and hope, you too?! All the best for 2011 as well!

Ralf

That is true during the 70's they were top of the line before the Superstars were introduced. But the kit in the auction is from around 1983-84. During this time they were intermediate, but very good. They can be seen in a supplemental Tama catalog dated 1982/1983 but listed under 1981 on the Tama.com site. The color is called Brazilian Grain. Most Royalstar sets are coated in the Zola coating like Imperialstars and Swingstars. However, this color and there was another color called Wine Red (I think) had wood interiors matching outside exterior color. They were in a semi gloss finish.

I would not consider them rare, but not very common. They did not make them in that color for very long. They are good drums, not worth $500. That guy will be sitting on them for a long time if he holds out. Eventually they may be worth $500. Like maybe in 2025.

[IMG]http://www.islandcollectibles.net/drums/royal.jpg[/IMG]

WOW!!!how beautiful .

I am Brazilian and I have never seen this wood around, I believe it should be quite rare even here in Brazil...

The reason you don`t see it often is because Brazil has farms with their Cherry ( also in the photo) that haven`t been there too long,...It is a West African tree that grows like Cherry,...The farm that produces it only grows the Cherry and Zebrawood. Africa has regulations on it and Brazil does not,..it is cheaper to get from Brazil. Like Cherry,..you wont find it in lengths longer than 7 to 8 feet cuz the tree does not grow tall. Fruit tree lumber farmming is alot of work cuz they must continuously prune them to get lumber grade out of the tree. I made drum sticks out of Cherry and Apple that I picked myself, they didn`t last long cuz they had hidden voids and knots that you can`t see. The smallest knot inside a drumstick will split it !!

I never thought that was it, thanks for your explanation, I wonder how it must be the sound of these shells ... have you ever heard?

thanks a lot!!

I`ve never seen a drum in that finnish. Zebrawood is a term used for thin pinstriped grain, there aren`t many and I`m not sure if rosewood is one. The drums in this topic look rosewood to me on the inside.

I`d love to have African zebra on the inside of my phonics. It`s a hardwood and has little acustic value so a filler like poplarwood would prolly be in between. We did a floor for a customer that wanted Zebra inlay so I looked around to find a good price and the Brazillian farm was by far the best deal. It`s easy to work with for a hardwood but you gotta sandseal it many times before applying the oil clear coating or the open grains will suck up too much product and darken it too much. Sandsealing is very important to keep a woods` natrual colors and the more you use the better off you are !!

....uhhh....dang....and you like us...why? JK!

I wanna get to know you because I love wood and love the intrinsic nature of how it all works together.

I`m happily married ..thanks,:D

I`ve been working with wood since 1980, been learnning from tradesmen on most jobs and share`n my talents too !! I used to work alot indoors especially in cold NE winters. We focus mostly on exterior home improvement now,..