I've never heard of Tempo, are you perhaps referring to "Tempro", one of the more popular Pearl Factory stencils? "World's Supreme Quality" was a very popular marque that I've seen on both Pearl and Hoshino stencil kits, sometimes on a sircular soundhole badge that appears in addition to the actual stencil badge itself. As for Tempro, they used the brass black n' gold Pearl badge popularised with the President series and shared many of the President series finishes as well. Whitehall would be another very similar brand that used the same style cues as both Tempro and Pearl.

If the drums you are describing have an oval aluminum badge, I think it could mean one of two things. 1), they could be 1970's-era when Pearl's stencil drums (Reuther, Maxwin, etc.) adopted an oval brownish badge affixed with two small nails or 2) they might actually *be* "Tempo" brand, which I have never heard of... and may appear on a 60's style Hoshino badge like Revelle, Stewart, and Apollo... something like this:

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/snare_japanese/badges/apollo.jpg[/IMG]

Pearl made a run of Tempro/Tempo drums, in at least 2 different badge styles; the circular (sometimes off-set) badge around the vent hole, and the black plastic rectangle like on other early 70s Pearl badges. These logos have the pair of sticks crossing the 't.' From what I've seen, Tempro seems to be a common stencil name around the west coast.

Star also made Tempo/Tempro badged drums with the black oval "World's Finest Quality" badges that we all know and love. So, as to the maker of this specific drum set, it would depend on the style of the badge (among other things, possibly/probably Laughing H.)

Why do some of these drums have the 'r' and others do not? I dunno. Seems to be very little rhyme or reason to why the Japanese makers did this or that, other than to cut costs and give the buyer/importer whatever they wanted.

Brian,

If the badge says 'World's Supreme Quality' it's going to be a Star's, never Pearl's.

Here is a collection of many badges for you to compare:

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/japanese_drums/badges.html

Ralf

I used to think this as well, but last year I found a set of two toms in an estate sale that were completely original with Pearl-marked President lugs, obviously Pearl stencil badges, and circle soundhole badges reading "world's supreme quality, japan". I was about as surpsied as I was when I saw my first 7-lug 16" floor tom.

Oh, really? - It would be more than interesting to have pics of such a 'merger' drumset with that badge and those lugs. Either badge or lugs could be interchanged ...

... Or was it that blue round badge with 'Made in Japan' on it?

Unless I see such a curious badge with my own eyes, I keep hanging on my opinion (sorry!). Sumo Dude

Ralf

It was definatly "World's Supreme Quality" in a oval (but not as oval as Hoshino) badge with brown hue, similar to Pearl's Reuther badge. It was larger than the blue circular "Made In Japan" badge. I'm sure its possible that the badge could have been added after the fact.. but why? The wear marks in the wrap indicated that the lugs were original to the shell. I'll try to drum up a photo for you tonight. I sold the toms with a similar kick drum on Craigslist early last year, but I may still have the photos from the listing...

This is near me......

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/msg/2563692338.html

80 bucks is OK, but these all Pearl, NOT Star drums, just in case anyone is keeping score.

I just reread the ad, no emails. I'll call them in the morning for ya. I'll pm you with more details on what they say. They're maybe 45ish minutes away from me.