Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 136.28392%

Vibratone-Recco-Norma drums

mij norma recco vibratone
Posts: 26 Threads: 10

Hi everyone!

I'm new here and I am wondering if anyone can tell me if I have anything cool here. I just picked up this lot off of Craigslist.

It consists of two different kits. The most complete is a MIJ called Recco, 22x16, 13x9, 16x16, with a matching snare 14x5.

The second is something called Norma (never heard of them) in 20x14 and 13x9.

All the wrap seams on all the drums look to be in excellent shape. I'm hoping that I will be able to bring it back to life. Since this stuff seems to be in such good shape I think it'd be a shame to attempt a re-wrap.

They also threw in a Vibratone snare that looks really amazing, 14x6. The snare butt is missing but the rest of it appears to be there and is in great shape. I think it will clean up nice. Shell looks to be mahogany, but IDK.

Also included was a non-branded crash that looks to be about 15", and a set of UFIP 14" hi-hats that say Made in Italy on them. I think they will all clean up nicely.

Finally, there was some assorted hardware and pedals. The stand stuff looks to be missing a lot of pieces, but one of them says Pearl on it. I don't recognize the pedals, but if anyone does, feel free to chime in.

I will be posting more progress pics as I try to restore these drums. Thanks for any information you may have!

Posted on 8 years ago
#1
Posts: 948 Threads: 48

Hello mlow75

Great find, and it's all very cool stuff

The full Recco kit is really sweet

while the blue sparkle wrap is pretty common

The Recco badged drums do not show up very often at all

and those lugs are very very seldom seen

the Vibratone snare is just AWESOME!!

I would be interested in the two Norma drums should you decide to sell them

Posted on 8 years ago
#2
Posts: 948 Threads: 48

Also I am guessing that the Recco snare drum is of a particularly unique design

one that seems to only show up with kits sporting the aforementioned lugs

Love to see some better pics of it

Posted on 8 years ago
#3
Posts: 2197 Threads: 202

The Vibratone is an early Kent product.

Posted on 8 years ago
#4
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

From Kenwood

Also I am guessing that the Recco snare drum is of a particularly unique designone that seems to only show up with kits sporting the aforementioned lugsLove to see some better pics of it

I have a Recco snare drum, but have never seen a complete kit. Very cool!

And, yes, the lugs used on the Recco drums were a nod to Rogers...as are the hoops, strainer and butt. Just check out my Recco snare drum!

-Mark

5 attachments
1.jpg
75.1 kB
2.jpg
75.6 kB
3.jpg
78.3 kB
4.jpg
73.6 kB
5.jpg
116.4 kB
Posted on 8 years ago
#5
Posts: 948 Threads: 48

all the hardware on my Zim Gar kit is identical

Posted on 8 years ago
#6
Posts: 26 Threads: 10

Thanks for the replies. Mark, that snare looks great. After replacing the snare wires on mine and tuning it up mine sounds really good; it has a unique sound.

I will get some better pics after i clean them up a bit. I didn't have much time for that yet, but I did set up all the Recco gear along with the cymbals. The Remo heads on this thing must be older than me (40 Eye Ball) but after some tuning I did manage to get them sounding surprisingly good. The previous owner had handkerchiefs under the batter heads on the toms. I'm fairly certain I am only the second owner on these. Any idea on the age of these? I opened the Norma bass drum and it had newspaper stuffed in it from Feb. 14 1973! Kenwood, I will most likely sell the Norma drums. I'll send you a message when I get ready to.

2 attachments
recco_set02.jpg
79.8 kB
recco_set01.jpg
65.4 kB
Posted on 8 years ago
#7
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

From Kenwood

all the hardware on my Zim Gar kit is identical

Kenwood! Love the Blue Pearl!

-Mark

Posted on 8 years ago
#8
Posts: 2413 Threads: 336

mlow75 -

Welcome to the forum (you on DFO too?)

I love scores like that! Yup, that snare is made by Kent, made in USA by former Gretsch guys.

What I am particularly intrigued about is the Norma. According to that pic, it was made by Star (rail is a Star rail). I never knew Norma to be made by Star??

As far as age, you can ballpark these MIJs by the following:

Thin shells with re-rings - 1967 or earlier

Thicker shells with no re-rings - 1968 or later.

This general rule is good for both Pearl made and Star made drums.

Cool score!

I had a great day! Instead of sleeping in and wasting the day, I got up at 8 and I had all my slacking done by noon!

2Timothy1:7
Posted on 8 years ago
#9
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

From mlow75

...The previous owner had handkerchiefs under the batter heads on the toms. I'm fairly certain I am only the second owner on these. Any idea on the age of these? I opened the Norma bass drum and it had newspaper stuffed in it from Feb. 14 1973! Kenwood, I will most likely sell the Norma drums. I'll send you a message when I get ready to.

Really love your Recco kit! I would guess that this kit is from very early 1970, even though you found newspaper in the bass from 1973!

-Mark

Posted on 8 years ago
#10
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here