Pictures would be very helpful.

Copy / paste link to yamaha + use chart to determine dating :

http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/musical-instruments/drums/ac-drumsets/806/4177/

*** Seeing that you've done this ... : There are times when chart doesn't correspond exactly. If so, you can contact Yamaha with above details + they will let you know dating. Just did it on a Maple Custom kit with essentially the same quirk as your kit.

Hi both, thats good to know. Thanks for getting back to me. The seller seems legit but the serial numbers make no sense. Hobbs, can I ask what was the outcome of your enquiry with Yamaha? And how did you make the enquiry with them?

Upwithit, I've attached pictures. Do they look like the real thing? That's my main concern.

Thanks again

Thanks again

ON THE Yamaha page where you check codes, click CONTACT INFORMATION. You will need to register with Yamaha 1st. Once done, tell them you're having trouble dating your kit and give them all info. The will get back to you. I think it took a week for them to.

They responded with the codes I gave them + supplied the month/year each drum was manufactured.

In my email from them there was a phone # : 714.522.9000. This is more than likely a driect line to the guy who helped me - Ed. That might be a lot quicker???

Thank you Hobbs, I'm guessing that's a US number? I'm in the UK so will need to figure out the USA code. Thanks for getting back to me by the way. I really appreciate it.

I've sent the email from the page as you suggest.

Do the badges / drums look legitimate to you? Thanks again Gavin

Gavin,

Kit looks legit (Recording kits are lacquer NOT a wrap; interiors stained/painted black; might be slightly different in UK than US kits ???). I had a Piano Black RC kit & looks the same.

Chris

Those seem to be configured the same way as my RC kit. On mine, the 10 & 12" toms have two badges; one with -RECORDING-CUSTOM- stamped on it, and the other with the serial # and model#. They are that way becaues of the YESS mounts, and the vent hole is right below the mount. My kit is Antique Sunburst finish, and the interiors are the same color as the Cherry Wood stain finish that was also available at the time. I bought them new in 1996. As far as the weight, they are relatively heavy, at least compared to my Ludwig 4-ply kit.

Thank you both, that's really helpful information. I've contacted Yamaha and hoping for a response!

For future searchers:

I had this from another forum -

The LM code is June of 2005. The LK is April 2005.

According to the info on the above link, the "QL" stands for 2005. The "HH" is for 2011. I based the dating of the regular LM serial numbers off your Yess mount and the vent hole comments. If they don't have any additional holes from the direct shell mounted mount being removed, then they can't be pre-yess mount drums (older than 1992-ish).

My Recording Customs were from 1986 and were pre-yess mount, had 2 badges, one with a vent hole, the other without.

My response:

Thank you Tommy,

The QL and HH make complete sense to me looking at the Yamaha reference chart.

The two letter system for the other drums seems less obvious as the reference chart states, if build before 1990 it will have a two letter code. Perhaps it should include OR if it has the YESS system it may apply to post 1990 too.

If anyone else is looking in the future, if the drums have the new YESS system and new badges the two letter codes can be read to figure out the date.

Thanks again Tommy - really useful information! Gavin