Hi guys, I have an old Pearl and Im trying to find details on it! Hopefully these details will help :)
It has a grey speckled paint inside the shells. All toms have dampers. Sizes are 12,13,16,22.
The only markings are a plain 'Pearl' logo. Im guessing it maybe late 70s or early 80s... maybe an early export??
All help would be much appreciated :)
Cheers,
James
Looks like early 80's to me. I have an export in black which looks exactly like it, same interior finish but they're concert toms except for the floor tom and have serial numbers on the pearl tags/badges too. What particular model, couldn't say. Nice looking kit.
I think you've got it nailed down already. From the one pic on the inside, it appears the shell construction is the wood-composite. Nothing really wrong with that (although you'd be surprised at how many people have this and think they have fiberglass shells), and it was what Pearl used on their early Exports.
You're 22" BD has 20 lugs, and if I'm not mistaken by either 82 or 83 Pearl went to just 16 lugs. The rest of the hardware also supports this time-line.
I think Pearl went to serial numbers on similar badges also in 82.
Your 12 and 13 inch toms appear to be deeper than the then traditional 8 and 9 inch depths. Again, this is normal for the time-line.
The finish on your drums is called "Blue Flash," which made it's debut in the American market catalog in 1980. If you haven't already investigated, that is a layer of foil (much like Reynolds Wrap) under a clear outer layer that is tinted blue. Pearl also offered other colors done like this. It is a taped on wrap, and I've rarely found any of it that looks as good as these. On the down-side of that, the finish is discontinued and very hard to match.
All in all, good drums and a good find, IMO! I hope this info helps. It's based upon my copies of old catalogs as well as my experience with handling Pearl drums out of the 70s and 80s. Although I am very fond of and really like working on vintage American made drums, I also love working with the Pearls of this era and still play the wood-fiberglass set I bought new in 1978.
Bill
Hey Bill -thanks for the tips!! You have summed it up I reckon! Its definitely the foil wrapped finish - I can see the wrinkled foil quite clearly...
What country were these made in? Do you have any idea what they are worth these days?
Many thanks
James
Hey Bill -thanks for the tips!! You have summed it up I reckon! Its definitely the foil wrapped finish - I can see the wrinkled foil quite clearly...What country were these made in? Do you have any idea what they are worth these days?Many thanksJames
James,
Unfortunately, the resale on these babies ain't real good. IF you're planning on selling them... well, here in the good ol' USA I'd be happy to get $450 out of them. Not sure what they might bring down under.
On these, I would still say they're MIJs.
Bill
