I have a quick question for Fayray:

Both of the kits in your photo seem to have black hoops on the bass drum. Are these wood and did you add them on later? Just curious as I like the look.

Thanks.

Good spotting. The red kit is in amazing original condition, much like yours, but the inlays were missing on the original metal BD hoops. The guy I bought them off had fitted the wood hoops and I painted them black. Same story with the black willow kit except that kit was in a bit of a state and the metal BD hoops had been spray painted silver to cover up the extensive rust. The wood hoops are easy to come by and painting them is straight forward. However, yours are complete and seem in good shape so I'd leave them on the kit.

As for the original heads - I'd take them off and store them and fit new ones.

Thank you sir for clarifying the hoops deal. As mentioned, I think they look nice! But I'll probably stick with what I have as they really are in nice shape.

Thanks also for your thoughts about the heads, I think storing them would be best, at least the batter heads, cuz as of right now I'm afraid to hit them too hard lest they break!

change the batter heads !! I use remo weatherkings they sound great and have a vintage look to them.

As promised, here are the stamped numbers for each drum:

bass drum

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a93/kgreener/vintage%20Yamaha%20drums/bassdrum.jpg[/IMG]

floor tom

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a93/kgreener/vintage%20Yamaha%20drums/floortom.jpg[/IMG]

rack tom

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a93/kgreener/vintage%20Yamaha%20drums/racktom.jpg[/IMG]

snare

[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a93/kgreener/vintage%20Yamaha%20drums/snare.jpg[/IMG]

Well, they're all cleaned up and I finally took some photos. I replaced all the heads except the reso head with other ones I had lying around, some in decent shape, others crap, and guess what? They still sound killer - oh my! What a great warm sound, with tons of mojo to spare. REALLY digging on these things...wow.

Thanks to all for their help and advice on how to clean the drums, especially nashdrum and Fayray!

http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a93/kgreener/Yamaha%20vintage%20drums%20-%20restored/?albumview=slideshow

nice work! they look fantastic. Possibly the newest looking set in existence.Jumping2

Great score there!

I was very pleasantly surprised when I got my D-20 up and running.

really great drums that can be had for little cash and easily holds it's own with the "big boys" of the time.

Congratulations!