Not in this economy, he's lucky to get $600

Uncertainty and confusion breeds greed.

Too bad he didn't list all the sizes but here's what I see, a retrofitted snare (newer throw) looks too deep for any standard Premier snare of that era, possibly a tom conversion (6 lugs more than likely a tom). I don't recall Premier ever making an 18 BD again, of that era (or any era), 20" would have been the smallest. Tom seems to be a 14 x 9 (rare find for that size), if the tom is a 14 then the FT is a 16" (see size difference on head) which makes the BD a slightly bigger 20".

No stands, pedals, etc. I'd pay no more than $800.

From the other drums in the pic, he's a collector or flipper. I wonder where he got his prices from?

They had the 18" in the cats in 64 and 65,..it would be the C, then # of the kit !!

Good Day fellow Premier lovers. Fortunately I am in a position to offer a little information on this set... For it is I who made it.

The 18x12 bass is a cut down 70s Premier floor tom in Birch. Evident to the interior are eight dowel filled holes from previous lug fixings plus one badge hole and a damper and screw hole filled. Both hoops are new. The 14x14 is a 60s Premier Birch shell, the 12x8 is a regular (ie not PI) size birch Premier shell from the 70s.. The snare is indeed a cut down tom, Premier birch shell 13x6.5, 8lug. The whole set was rewrapped in Delmar Red Glitter. I sold it last year to a chap in the hills of W Virginia who seemed very happy. I would expect the current seller is attempting to recoup the original price paid plus hefty shipping fee. Here are some photos from the original advertisment:

http://s752.photobucket.com/albums/xx164/dirtyboppa/Vintage%20Premier%20Red%20Glitter%20SOLD/

Hope this helps...

Spart

Interesting to see how much confusion can be started by not-too-good pictures and a superficial and lacking description in an ad.

Nice that Spart could set the record straight concerning this kit.

A couple of more general points remains to be made, though:

Yes, Premier did make kits with 18" bass drums. Quite rare, probably because hardcore bop-players in Europe were few to begin with - and possibly they would have a leaning towards their idols, buying Gretsch or Ludwig. Other drummers probably preferred a more generally adaptable 20" or a 22".

A 14x14" floortom is not too common either.

Therefore, a complete Premier kit in bop-sizes - 18x12/14", 12x8" and 14x14"are today bought and sold at prices 2 or 3 times higher than a contemporary 20x14, 12x8 and 16x15". You will be lucky to find a cheap one at £3-400, if the punters has seen it too, it will probably soar to 7-800 if nice.

That´s why Spart (and I) has been able to build up non-original kits and selling them (openly labelled as build-up kits) at prices a more common kit would never reach. Sparts kits are very well build, so the prices are usually paid....I also got what I needed to make it worthwhile.

So - my point is:

While the 1300$ might seem excessive, it is only slightly so. 600$ is really nothing for a kit like this.

An example:

I made this one up, all shells mahogany Premiers and the best Premier fittings, 18x12" a former Tenor drum, hence no extra holes:

[img]http://www.gratisimage.dk/thumb-9718_506BF1AC.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gratisimage.dk/thumb-101E_506BF31D.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gratisimage.dk/thumb-7EA9_506BF31D.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gratisimage.dk/thumb-CC02_506BF1AC.jpg[/img]

No snare, but a 22x14" also recoated:

[img]http://www.gratisimage.dk/thumb-7580_5081213C.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.gratisimage.dk/thumb-E2D3_5081213C.jpg[/img]

- sold for the equivalent of 1360 USD here in Denmark. Maybe due in part to better pics and a more precise and honest description....

So the price is NOT crazy - not here anyway.

By the way - the small tom could never be a 14x9, as Premier didn´t make that size, only 14x8 and 14x10.

Regards

Jon

You can also follow this and see where it ends:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Hayman-Vibrasonic-Drum-Kit-12-13-14-floor-18-bass-drum-/170993879457?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ&hash=item27d00789a1

Most people I know would be likely to prefer a Premier - but still a good pointer, I think.

Jon

Whoa, hold on a sec. The seller tells me his uncle passed away, was a drummer, and was selling this and bunch of other kits of his to settle his estate. This is the same kit? Seller made it appear like his uncle was in poor health the last few years of his life (obviously wasn't playing) and this was an old kit he must have purchased long ago. Are you sure this is the same kit? If so I'm very glad you set the record straight. In that case I am very glad I didn't buy this. Nice but nowhere near what this guy is asking. Others probably see this as well.. thanks.

Wow! I think someone has just been "found out". Thank you Spart for providing information on the "true history" of these drums. Oh and welcome to the forum. I hope you choose to stick around. You did a great job on those drums. They look really good.

After comparing the pictures, I think we have a match. Look at the snare drum ... same size, same strainer, same wrap, same badges and same hoops.

The CL ad is in the Pittsburgh area and Spat said he sold it to someone from West Virginia. Part of the sellers story might be true about settling his late uncle's (from WV) estate. The seller might not know the history of these drums.

The usefulness of the Vintage Drum Forum is just amazing!

-Tim