Thanks first to verminator for kindly surrendering these drums so they could join mine in new alliance. He is a gentlemen and square dealer.
Here are two identical 22/13/16/5.5x14 sets in light blue glitter, almost entirely original condition. The somewhat ungainly looking configuration is a result of the positioning limitations of the rail mounts. They look much cooler when set up Bellson-style, but this plays great and keeps the ergonomics of a tight 4-pc.
These were Pearl's first pro level drums and their first foray away from firewood and they differ from the early President line in badge only. By Pearl's own reckoning, these are likely the first of the run. In 1966 they line was developed, but they also built a new factory that year and likely as a result of the move, they failed to produce a catalogue or promote the new line. By '67 when the promo campaign launched the badge had been changed to the familiar President badge. I have so far seen (online) only 3 sets and 2 snares with these badges and I bought two of the sets myself.
I don't know what they sold for, but they are the roundest, most dimensionally correct 60s drums I have ever owned. The phenolic shells are similar to Remo's Acousticon, but they are harder. They use recycled plastic fiber and phenol resin where Remo uses wood fibers and a similar resin for a slightly softer shell. They do not choke regardless of tuning! No dead spots, no sweet spots - full tone at all tunings. Try that with another 60s brand.
The MIJ brands built their companies by doing OEM and making cheap drums. They had a reputation for making cheap knockoffs and it was well deserved. Here is Pearl's rebuttal to the notion that they had no ideas of their own. They were still far behind the best of the day (Rogers, Sonor) in terms of hardware and pedals, but gentlemen, these are the best shells of the 60s. I invite you all to dig up some old phenolics and see for yourselves.
