Nice set.Pearl only made three types of shells..By the photo you posted these look to be Fiberglass shells from 1972-78..The badge will tell you what these shells are on Pearl drums you will have two badges one reads Pearl and the longer one will read Wood-Fiberglass or Fiberglass...The other shells that Pearl made were 9 ply wood only...But your shell's could be left over Pres. shells that are not Fiberglass shells at all these were made in the late 60's by the photo you posted the badges are 70's on the set...Mikey

Welcome! Aboard. Is the pic a catalog scan or the real deal? If those are the actual kit, that bass is fiberglass. The phenolic shells are a reddish brown color.

Thanks Guys - That is a photo from the website of the Drum Collector / Dealer that I got it from. That is the actual kit. I agree with aspects of both of your posts...

The Kick does look like fg but the grey interior could be covering a phenolic shell... without seeing it in person yet I can't really tell.

I asked The Owner whether he knew the shells to be phenolic or fg and he thought they were phenolic but said that most drummers call it fiberglass anyway?!?!. The blown up photo has the tell-tale brown bearing-edges at the bottom of each tom...

Like I said I'm happy either way... it's a Certified Classic Ride!

The Bass Tom Holder is the same as the "Dyna-Family Drum Range" from the cover of the 1970 Pearl Drum Catalogue except they are Silver whereas mine have a Gorgeous 70's Gold Dust Wrap, keeping those shells nice and safe :)

I'll keep y'all posted and Thanks again for the Warm Welcome - I appreciate it!

Rez.

Welcome to the forum!

Especially to a fellow Pearl fiberglass guy!

If you've "lurked" around for awhile before posting you may know that I'm the guy that gets excited when Pearl fiberglass or wood-fiberglass threads pop-up, and I've ALWAYS got something to say! And somebody on here's thinking... oh no! here comes another "book!" And they're right!

Your drums look great!

My Observations:

1) Yes, no doubt 1970 "Dyna Family" Era. My guess is this finish is either "Silver Satin" OR possibly "White" that has faded to the shade you seem to have. A quick check under the lugs will help out there. The exception to this may be that another finish may have been available in the Austrailian market. I do know of at least one other example of what was available over there and NOT here in the US market.

Also, if you'll notice the white nylon "collar" on the tom holder on the BD -- IF I'm not mistaken, Pearl only did that "officially" in 1970 and possibly 1971. There is always the possibility of "anomolies" (we all know that happens with any manufacturer!) with that showing up later, but was "officially" discontinued by 1972. That's my UNDERSTANDING of the use of the nylon collar. If I'm wrong, I'm open to being corrected.

2) Interesting configuration. The three smaller toms (6,8,10) all seem to be mounted on one stand, with, as you stated the largest tom (which should be 14x16) with legs as a floor tom. Normally the concert toms are in pairs. The conversion to a floor tom (IMO) happened at a much later date, as the leg brackets are NOT period correct (those are 80s Pearl Export brackets, as far as I can see in the pic).

3) Again from the pic, the CTs do appear to be "phenolic" based upon the tell-tale sign of the slightly exposed bottom edges. As jonnistix already pointed out, the phenolic shells are a "reddish brown" or "maroon" color. Fiberglass is more of a "tan." Now, the BD appears to be either fiberglass or wood-fiberglass, as Mikey777 says the longer badge will say. Usually, the wood-fiberglass has a white interior -- but in early production runs the lining was the same color as the regular fiberglass shells.

All in all, you're going to be THRILLED with this set! I know I would be!

BTW, I've taken some photos of the slight differences in Pearl "production" in the early 70s. I was going to post them all here, but have decided that I'm just going to start a new thread. I've got to find some more examples, take more pictures, re-size them, and it's about time we left for church. So later today (but probably sometime later this week) I'll get that thread posted under "Vintage Non-USA."

Man, I LOVE these drums!

Photo 1: Pearl fiberglass shell (left), Pearl phenolic shell (right)

Photo 2: Tom mount with nylon collar (left), whitout (right)

Bill

My Friend You are on the money - You have confirmed just about everything that I suspected about this kit.

I am glad these kits get you all hyped, 'cause I'm the same. Whatever the configuration, I am thrilled to be getting this particular set.

Ever since I saw Peter Criss, Neil Peart, Alex VH and Nicko McBrain surrounded by toms I have had a serious case of Tom-Envy!

Yes, this owner put the legs on.

No 18"FT.

1 Kick - which says to me that it was an assembly of hand-picked components to make up a custom configuration. The smallest tom I've ever had is an 8" in fusion tom set-up and yet somehow there is still room for a 6".

I also have a Composite Shell Sleishman Free-Floating Piccolo Snare that will be right at home barking along with the other synthetic shells........

3 Questions Please -1) Sound Differences between Phenolic and Fiberglass? Are there any? (esp. Concert Toms?)

2) How Durable are these Shells Vs. FG. Any Hints?

3) Which Heads make the best BOOM on these Shells?

Thanks For Your Time and Interest.

Rez.

WOW! Just WOW!

First, I'm not a real fan of concert toms, but WOW! That kit pops buddy!

Very nice find!

You've got a gob of knowledge from these guys already. Follow their instructions and they will more than likely be able to tell you if your kit was made in the morning or afternoon, and what the guy installing the lugs had for lunch on the day he worked on your kit...

Now, when you play that kit you need to do a couple of things. First, get some brown platform shoes or Acme boots with the round rings and strap (some called them motorcycle boots). Next, some bell bottom denim pants and a wide leather belt with some peace sign tooling done on it. A long sleeved blue denim western style button up shirt with some design embroidered along the upper chest seams. If you can still find one, get the shirt with Mother Of Pearl snaps instead. Roll up the sleeves at least a third. Get a three inch wide leather watch band and a cheap analog watch. Never button the shirt (or snap it) higher than the bottom of your rib cage (there is a medical term for that, but I'm no doctor). Get a heavy pewter neck chain (necklace) and either wear an Ankh or a peace medallion. If you are chest hair challenged... shave a dog or cat that matches your hair... glue it on.

I guarantee you will be hounded by a bunch of sixty year old women...

Ahem... (cough cough)

Funny Post

Laughing H Laughed my a$$ off & woke the wife!

Thanks for the Sunday funny

BTW, your set is a beauty! The drummer in the first band I was in had a Tama kit with a concert Tom like set-up. It sounded great playing Dead cover tunes and other psychedelic rock from the 60's.

Brian

fishwaltz - LMFAO! You are The King! Bowing

The Scary Part is You summed up at least 75% of me anyway!!!

nearlybrian - Please say Sorry to the Wife for me :( What a Shocker, eh?

Thanks Guys - Your Response is Simply Overwhelming...

Peace. lol

Rez.

These answers represent my opinions...

1) Very little difference. If any at all, the FG shells may have a bit "crisper" sound, probably because of the thinner shells.

2) Both VERY durable, almost indestructable as far as normal wear-and-tear is concerned. I've handled quite a few of the fiberglass shells, and I've NEVER dealt with an "out-of-round" problem; no cracks or splits (from just normal use) either.

3) Remo CS heads. Pearl started putting the clear/black dot heads on as "standard equipment" in the mid-70s.

I don't have any doubt that some may differ with me on some of the above points, so again I stress these are just my opinions...

And yes, Craig, I do believe they were serving sushi in the company cafeteria that day, if my sources are correct. I was quite taken to discover this, as I was under the impression that the company derived it's name due to the fact that oysters were always served for lunch and that the employees looked forward to the opportunity to get a little bonus with their meal... :)

Bill

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