I see where you're coming from. You can't compare the 60's MIJ hardware to vintage American hardware. They were only copying for looks...not function. Buying a 60's American kit, like a Club Date, should have hardware that works just fine. I own a '58 Ludwig floor tom with the WFL version of the springs leg mounts and they are my favorite legs mounts of all my kits. They work flawlessly and I often think to myself that all drums should have those mounts. My main gigging kit is my '57 Slingerland, which I use with all original hardware and vintage stands. So far they have not left me flat anywhere.

Nice! Thanks for your vote of confidence in the vintage hardware.

To be fair, I'm using this Coronet rail mount on my Ludwig/Gretsch kit [with the Slingerland tom pictured lol]. It's a chunky monkey and very functional...= easy to loosen & tighten, holds position 100%. Even used it live at a gig. That said as soon as I can find/afford the "real deal" I'll be swapping it out.

I think MIJ hardware is a total crap-shoot, except kick pedals and hihat stands, which are usually just crap. :)

Mitch

Agreed. Some of the MIJ consolette parts are pretty functional. Do you find that the tongue on your spade arm is loose? That is about the only thing I have found that is weak on the MIJ consolettes.

Other things, like cymbal arm/floor tom leg brackets and snare strainers are not that great on the MIJ stuff. Plus...their chroming process was not nearly as good as the USA back then.

Not in this case but I hear ya on the loose tongues, because they often would pressure fit it and then whack the end of the rod to splay it. Over time this method always loosens up.

Attached pics of the much better approach on this Coronet rail mount, and an MIJ center-pole tom mount which is welded up right! Very thick too. I had to shave some off the side of the tongue to get it to fit the most common diamond plate.

Some of the MIJ kits that have passed through my hands have had bigger, more reliable tension casing mounting screws than my Ludwig kick pictured.....just sayin :)

Mitch

Mitch - Yes, the rail consolette seems to be pretty sturdy and functional on my Starlight stencil kit. I replaced the nuts of the tom holder with nice Gibraltar wingnuts which make adjusting the tom for gigs really easy!

Yes wing nuts help big time, especially if the rail mount doesn't need ultra-tightening to hold position, like mine doesn't. Also I lubed the threads with a bit of vaseline....I've been wondering if there is a better product for that...