Well, I am in agreement with both of you - I would never endorse the idea of stripping MIJ drums for their parts and then attempting to deceive unsuspecting buyers with claims that they were name brand parts. That is one of the problems with Ebay - I have been an Ebayer since the late 90's and one has to be very careful and have a good knowledge base about what they are buying. And like OsakaBop, I think that there is a place for the lower volume sound of a nice vintage MIJ set. I have mine set up in my office, and I can play in the after-business hours without causing too much of a ruckus with the neighbors! But at the same time I believe that these drums are starting to have more cache in the collectors market, and the prices an nicer/rarer sets are going up. It happens in every market - I look at Ebay these days and see Silvertone amp-in-case guitars from the 60's bringing nearly a grand, and I am staggered! I had one that I sold only a few years ago for $350 and I thought that was good money what is essentially a plywood guitar with a lipstick tube pickup! Like that LaBoz set, if it has condition/looks/rarity they are going to just get pricier in the future. As for me, well I hope one day that if I practice hard and merit the purchase I can go out and get my Ludwig's back to add to my collection with my little MIJ beauty...
Beutiful set on auction!
Confessions of a former drum snob...
Brethren and Sistren... Hear my tale of woe...
I [pause for effect] was indeed a drum snob... (sniff)
Then, the stencils began stalking me. With their intriguing sexy wraps and fishnet hardware.
I knew then, I was being pulled into the... MIJ zone.
It was innocent enough at first. Along with some advertised cymbals and stands came a soiled dove. A Royal Star in a machine gray strata-ish wrap that, well... excited me. The price was insane. Ten dollars. All her parts were there... what was I to do? Sure... I have ongoing things with Camco, Ludwig, Slingerland. But, a Royal Star? What would the neighbors think? I didn't think. I acted out of pure desire. Nearly lust... I was indeed on the path ladies and gentlemen. The path to, the MIJ zone.
I'd put better on the path to righteousness, but never one so willing, never one so ... bold. That Royal Star came to life with some simple caresses of a soft cloth and windex. After a light steel wool treatment on the bright work, I'd lost my heart.
Oh sure, I put it down to the clever wrap as a distraction. I was able to ignore the pleading, the yearning of my heart. Then, the Pearl's. The Pearl's were my complete and total unraveling. I had no idea if it was day or night. The Tiger's Eye Pearl wrap consumed me. I knew then, I was lost.
I was now a denizen of... the MIJ zone.
Now, I rescue them with aplomb... Damn the neighbors! I listen to their ribald snickers with disdain. HAH! Say I!
HAH!
These folks may never know the look. The look of gratitude and kindness once the kit is put back to rights. Yes, I admit it.
I WAS A DRUM SNOB
But no more! NEVER AGAIN!
I will polish, restore and gaze upon their beauty and relish in the fact that I have helped bring another back from the abyss...
Confessions of a former drum snob...Brethren and Sistren... Hear my tale of woe...I [pause for effect] was indeed a drum snob... (sniff)Then, the stencils began stalking me. With their intriguing sexy wraps and fishnet hardware. I knew then, I was being pulled into the... MIJ zone.It was innocent enough at first. Along with some advertised cymbals and stands came a soiled dove. A Royal Star in a machine gray strata-ish wrap that, well... excited me. The price was insane. Ten dollars. All her parts were there... what was I to do? Sure... I have ongoing things with Camco, Ludwig, Slingerland. But, a Royal Star? What would the neighbors think? I didn't think. I acted out of pure desire. Nearly lust... I was indeed on the path ladies and gentlemen. The path to, the MIJ zone.I'd put better on the path to righteousness, but never one so willing, never one so ... bold. That Royal Star came to life with some simple caresses of a soft cloth and windex. After a light steel wool treatment on the bright work, I'd lost my heart.Oh sure, I put it down to the clever wrap as a distraction. I was able to ignore the pleading, the yearning of my heart. Then, the Pearl's. The Pearl's were my complete and total unraveling. I had no idea if it was day or night. The Tiger's Eye Pearl wrap consumed me. I knew then, I was lost.I was now a denizen of... the MIJ zone.Now, I rescue them with aplomb... Damn the neighbors! I listen to their ribald snickers with disdain. HAH! Say I!HAH!These folks may never know the look. The look of gratitude and kindness once the kit is put back to rights. Yes, I admit it.I WAS A DRUM SNOBBut no more! NEVER AGAIN!I will polish, restore and gaze upon their beauty and relish in the fact that I have helped bring another back from the abyss...
Clapping Happy2 Clapping Happy2 Clapping Happy2 Clapping Happy2 Clapping Happy2 Clapping Happy2
"I enjoy restoring 60s Japanese "stencil" drums...I can actually afford them..."I rescue the worst of the old valueless drums for disadvantaged Children and gladly accept donations of parts, pieces and orphans, No cockroaches, please...
http://www.youtube.com/user/karstenboy
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee...16613138379603
Confessions of a former drum snob...Brethren and Sistren... Hear my tale of woe...I [pause for effect] was indeed a drum snob... (sniff)Then, the stencils began stalking me. With their intriguing sexy wraps and fishnet hardware. I knew then, I was being pulled into the... MIJ zone.It was innocent enough at first. Along with some advertised cymbals and stands came a soiled dove. A Royal Star in a machine gray strata-ish wrap that, well... excited me. The price was insane. Ten dollars. All her parts were there... what was I to do? Sure... I have ongoing things with Camco, Ludwig, Slingerland. But, a Royal Star? What would the neighbors think? I didn't think. I acted out of pure desire. Nearly lust... I was indeed on the path ladies and gentlemen. The path to, the MIJ zone.I'd put better on the path to righteousness, but never one so willing, never one so ... bold. That Royal Star came to life with some simple caresses of a soft cloth and windex. After a light steel wool treatment on the bright work, I'd lost my heart.Oh sure, I put it down to the clever wrap as a distraction. I was able to ignore the pleading, the yearning of my heart. Then, the Pearl's. The Pearl's were my complete and total unraveling. I had no idea if it was day or night. The Tiger's Eye Pearl wrap consumed me. I knew then, I was lost.I was now a denizen of... the MIJ zone.Now, I rescue them with aplomb... Damn the neighbors! I listen to their ribald snickers with disdain. HAH! Say I!HAH!These folks may never know the look. The look of gratitude and kindness once the kit is put back to rights. Yes, I admit it.I WAS A DRUM SNOBBut no more! NEVER AGAIN!I will polish, restore and gaze upon their beauty and relish in the fact that I have helped bring another back from the abyss...
I applaud your quest for the ultimate drum grail,So I feel obliged to say to you my brother....NO STEEL WOOL....PLEASE.I'm sure JR and a few others will back me up on this,but contrary to popular belief,steel wool does not polish chrome,and it actually scratches it.
Steve B
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