Oh, and then there is this kit for 200 or best offer.

Jeff

The DX 7300 Series (covered finish) and the DLX 7500 Series (lacquered finish) were introduced in 1984 and featured 7 ply shells: birch (outside), mahogany (middle), and lamin (inside) for superb sound with fantastic low-end punch. Priced affordably, they nevertheless featured high-end components such as double braced hardware, SuperHoops, and Pinstripe heads. In 1985, a five-piece DX kit with 22” bass drum and hardware listed for $1650, the 24” bass drum version listed for $1720.

So should I ask for more specific info like year made. He is listing the serial numbers, will that be a clue to the age.

Yes, that might help, but it's a good deal from my point of view. Both are

OK, thank you very much!

Jeff

Hi there- from the images, the first photo is a 1980-1986 DX which is most likely a Japanese-made set with an 7 ply shell consisting of mainly birch and luan with a thin inner ply of a laminate veneer that was usually maple or birch but not advertised as such. That kit has the original BB1 and BT1 bass and tom brackets and the 730P spurs which became the modern SP30 spurs in the late 80's. They're great drums, the original precursor to the more famous Session series. They have really nice, round, solid shells that would be an ideal base for a new wrap or wood veneer. And any price under $250 is a great deal.

The second picture is of a Pearl Student Kit made in the Taiwanese CB700 factory and generally called "Challenger" or "Thunder King". 9 ply luan, thru the shell spurs, thinner Rogers-style tom brackets. Aside from the Pearl badge, they're identical to the CB-700, Maxwin, Revere, and Whitehall kits offered towards the end of the 1970's. $200 would be a decent price if the kit was in excellent condition, but I'm sure you know as well as I that luan wood isn't as forgiving as maple or birch to years of abuse, usually living for decades in heat and with the reso heads and hoops removed. These are like the Pearl Forum or Tama Swingstar of the 1970's.

Hey barjack, thanks for th input. I can get the first kit for 200. From what I have learned the drums have a birch exterior under those black wraps. I am hoping to remove the wraps and have a nice birch base to work with. If not then I will more than likely wrap them with a wood veneer. I am just beginning to learn how different materials can effect the the sound of a drum.

I owned a 1985 Pearl WLX, with black lacquer over birch outer plies. Beautiful looking and sounding drums. The quality of these shells in build and appearance is surprisingly masterful compared to a similar kit like the Vision nowadays. Just be a bit wary, the birch outer on many of the wrapped drums was not finish grade... but if you're veneering that isn't of much concern, now is it? In this one case, it's a blessing that Pearl doesn't glue down their wraps to the shell.

Well this origionaly started as veneer re-wrap anyway so if thats what its going to take then I am fine with that. I am glad to hear that the existing wraps are not glued down reall good. The Ludwig Rockers I did had about two inches of adhesive on the begining of the wrap and then about the same where it overlaped itself. They were very easy to remove. Looks like I might have picked the right kit to play with. Not sure if I will go with birch if I end up with a new veneer wrap. It will be fun to deiced what to do with them. I am thinking on mixing some microtone dyes to get a really deep redish blue color. I will post pictures when they are finished but first I have an old red sparkle MIJ kit to restore.

Thanks,

Jeff