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Unidentified Vintage Drumset

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Hi Guys, I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping there are some really knowledgeable experts on here. So, here is the story -

My grandpa went to a garage sale and picked up this 'drumset' for me - I'm a drummer and have been playing for 6 years or so, so he thought I would enjoy it. After looking at it, we knew right away it was from the 1960s-1970s just based on how it looks. The problem: We have no idea what kind of drumset it is! At first we thought ludwig because of the heads, but I think the hardware is all wrong - it didn't come with any wrap/finish by the way, just natural wood (Mahogany?), and a major hint is that it says 'Made in Japan' on the Tom mount. No badges or serial number or anything though! We've been doing so much research, but I can't figure it out - maybe the loving community at VINTAGE drum forum can help me? Thanks so much guys. I'll take as many pictures as you want - and sorry if I posted in the wrong thread. I'm new.

P.S. It didn't come with a snare either.

Link to photos via Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nolanklunder/

(I couldn't figure out how to upload the photos, either...sorry. Hopefully you can all view them. Thanks again!)

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
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IMO, just about everything shown in the pics scream MIJ mid-to-late 1960s. Could have been any number of "brand names." It does appear someone has done some work on these already i bringing them back to life.

Anyway, browse the "vintage non-usa drums" section of this forum and you'll find a lot of interesting info. Also check out the sister-site (www.vintagedrumguide.com) and you'll find a wealth of information on Japanese made drums.

Oh, and Welcome to the forum!

Bill

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
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From billnvick

IMO, just about everything shown in the pics scream MIJ mid-to-late 1960s. Could have been any number of "brand names." It does appear someone has done some work on these already i bringing them back to life.Anyway, browse the "vintage non-usa drums" section of this forum and you'll find a lot of interesting info. Also check out the sister-site (www.vintagedrumguide.com) and you'll find a wealth of information on Japanese made drums.Oh, and Welcome to the forum!Bill

Bill, couldn't these also be early 60's? I thought most of the MIJs stopped doing the 3-Ply with re-rings earlier in the decade. Seems like a nice find regardless.

Georgia Phil Custom Drumworks
https://www.GeorgiaPhil.com

Drum Wrap, Drum Heads, Drum Accessories
https://www.StuffForDrummers.com
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
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From MutantMozart

Bill, couldn't these also be early 60's? I thought most of the MIJs stopped doing the 3-Ply with re-rings earlier in the decade. Seems like a nice find regardless.

You are probably right about that. Early 60s, especially with the 3rd re-ring in the BD should have been included. Also, I have had some late-60s/early 70s MIJs that still had the thin 3-ply shell without any re-rings at all! It's a wonder ANY of them stayed in round (especially the resonant sides)!

In any event, my answer should probably have simply read "1960s." Thanks for the correction!

And yes, in any event, a very nice find!!

Bill

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
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HY

it looks like an old Star set to me! The Lugs , the brackets of the Floortomlegs, the Tom Mount....i would need to see the bassdrumspurs;-)

A little bit irritating is the 3 re-rings in the bassdrum. I think Star did not build it that way.

Best way is to ask Ralf from the Forum here. Maybe he might know more;-)

Nice little kit by the way...a great find:-)Welcome

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 1432 Threads: 110
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Sorry Christian: it's not a Star made one. It's much more of a Pearl made set (or one of it's countless brands).

The rail consolette has some slight deviations which state it isn't Star made. The lugs look similar - but they are different from Star's. The rhombus tom bracket: Star never used this type.

Unfortunately someone has taken of the wrap - which would have made these drums look cool.

Oh, btw: Welcome !

Ralf

Vintage STAR (= Pre-Tama) website: www.star-drums.de
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
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Thanks guys for all your help...so my plan is to restore them, and it'll take a little bit of TLC and money, but I'm sure they'll turn out really nice and it will make for a great project. So, does the brand really not matter if I'm restoring it then? As you can see, it's missing quite a few lugs, and the bass spurs, and really needs new drum heads. So what should I do? Find the brand and get the right lugs, or just get any lugs and let the brand be unknown? Thanks.

Posted on 11 years ago
#7
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From Klundern

Thanks guys for all your help...so my plan is to restore them, and it'll take a little bit of TLC and money, but I'm sure they'll turn out really nice and it will make for a great project. So, does the brand really not matter if I'm restoring it then? As you can see, it's missing quite a few lugs, and the bass spurs, and really needs new drum heads. So what should I do? Find the brand and get the right lugs, or just get any lugs and let the brand be unknown? Thanks.

I think that depends on what your objective is. If you are trying to create a collector's set, then the brand and originality is key. If you are just trying to make a players set then whatever technically works is all that counts.

As far as brand, just about all of the 60's MIJs are either Tama (Star) or Pearl. Since it looks like Star is ruled out, that leaves only one option. Star and Pearl manufactured these stencil kits under about 100 different brand names, but for the most part that was just a marketing vehicle. At the end of the day they were either made in the Tama factory or the Pearl factory.

So if you don't just want to say these are MIJs and leave it at that, you could say that you have a set based on Pearl shells. That is what they are.

Georgia Phil Custom Drumworks
https://www.GeorgiaPhil.com

Drum Wrap, Drum Heads, Drum Accessories
https://www.StuffForDrummers.com
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
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Thanks so much for answering our unanswerable questions - I'm fine with having it just be a MIJ drum set, but as you can see in the picture, it is missing a few hardware pieces. Where can I buy those? Or can't I? I intend to polish it up, put some new hardware where needed, put a nice finish that makes it look 60s, and play this set as often as I can. Hopefully it will sound good....Thanks again guys!

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
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From Klundern

Thanks so much for answering our unanswerable questions - I'm fine with having it just be a MIJ drum set, but as you can see in the picture, it is missing a few hardware pieces. Where can I buy those? Or can't I? I intend to polish it up, put some new hardware where needed, put a nice finish that makes it look 60s, and play this set as often as I can. Hopefully it will sound good....Thanks again guys!

As far as finding the hardware you needYou have at least four options:

1) Buy it new from a vendor like drumfactorydirect.com

2) Surf what's available on eBay and CraigsList

3) Post a thread in the "Wanted to buy" section here

4) Try some of the heavy hitters here, I've had luck finding stuff I need with Mikey777 in the past.

Georgia Phil Custom Drumworks
https://www.GeorgiaPhil.com

Drum Wrap, Drum Heads, Drum Accessories
https://www.StuffForDrummers.com
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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