The missing badges could be due to "badge embarassment" or "ugly badge removal syndrome". I think I removed the rather large LaBoz badges from my original drum set for both reasons. I surely wanted the "real thing" American made kit at the time I got them, but they were also very large and looked kind of silly. Now we rather like it as being a funky thing of the era. Of course, anyone who knew anything about drums at the time would not have been fooled by my attempt to disguise them. I do notice that Pearl only used 12 lugs on the bass drum. I wonder if that was to economize for loss of profit selling off to a second party seller like Sears or Montgomery Ward.
I guess I would have removed the badges back then myself just like the bottom rims were removed and bass reso head to be the in thing at the time for that concert tom sound.
I think they used less lugs and cheaper material to cut costs so they’re the more affordable alternative.
