Looks to be wood/fibreglass .. take off a head and post another shot..

Cheers

John

Might be Phenolic shells, which is effectively a composite. I haven't seen the interior of a Pearl wood/fiberglass or fiberglass kit in a while but I remember the fiberglass as being yellowish.

I have a phenolic Pearl shell and it's dark brown in color. So unless it's been painted, it does not look like phenolic.

I agree with Longjohn, at least in posting another pic with a head removed.

My opinion, however, is that these are a very late 1979 or very early 1980 Pearl Export. They actually started using a wood composite shell at that time.

If these are in their original condition (without upgrades or other modifications), they are probably not wood-fiberglass unless it was an end-of-the-run, use up the shells type of factory thing (like Ludwig would do). Pearl's w/fg line was (along with the fg shells) their top-of-the-line offering in the 70s... and that single-post double tom mount was only used on their less expensive drums. Also, the BD appears to be a 22, but only has 8/16 lugs. The claws and T-rods are also the "cheaper" ones. I can't see them in the picture, but the FT leg brackets could also give a clue.

And, I know it's also hard to tell from the pictures, but the wrap appears to be the darker, "blue flash" variety that made it's appearance in 1979 and into the 80s as opposed to the "blue satin" or "blue gloss" of the bulk of the 70s...

Also... I've yet to see a Pearl w/fg set without the "wood fiberglass" badges, except in the case of drums previously rewrapped.

Just my thoughts, based upon what I see. More pictures would be nice!

Regardless, these drums appear to be in very good condition for their age! Have they been yours all along? In any case, they have been very well taken care of!

Agreed. IMO, the phenolic shells are a darker color, almost a maroon (at least the ones I have). They were only available (American market) for a couple of years starting in 1969 on their President line, then in the mid-to-late 70s they showed up again (again, in the American market) being used as concert tom shells and their vari-pitch roto-tom shells.

I think it's an early/transitional Export from around 81/82. If you take off one of the tom holders you'll get a better idea of the shell material. I suspect you'll find it's ply (luan), and the interior is simply coated with paint, something they did I believe to cover the variable appearance of the cheaper ply woods. Doug.

In the 80's Pearl had sprayed some/ all? insides of the Export shells with a creamy-coloured paint and white spots in it: Acousti-coat-sealer. Maybe it's the same finish on the pics here?

Ralf

Yes I think you are correct Ralph... I don't recall the Fibreglass coating extending over the bearing edges...

Cheers

John

If it helps I read on a site a while ago that about 1972 pearl made two sets that were high end that were wood fiber glass.One was mahogany with fiber glass,the other was birch.The birch set had an almost cream colour where the mahogany was grey.I have the grey set myself.My brother had a set of Pearl Presidents he bought in the 70's the shells were birch with fiber glass wrap.The creamy colour I talked about.There was no badges on them other than what is pictured on the blue set above.

I have given the set to my fifteen year old grand daughter who has a real interest in drumming and practices every day.Her uncle who has played for over40 years has taken her under his wing and is working with her.He has also told her as long as there is interest in playing never to sell the kit.