I have seen those lugs on a few U.S.Mercury kits so thats the name i'll place to the kit.But the reality of it is that it could be any number of stencil kits.The vast majority were identical and just had different names for the same hardware,shells,lugs,etc... But best estimated guess again would be U.S.Mercury.Nice looking kit though.I've always loved a good stencil kit.

Thanks so much for your info - really appreciated. I have never thought of a U.S Mercury kit and the fact that it may be a stencil makes sense since the snare strainer looks like an early Priemier model? Do you know how much these kits go for in the market these days - not that I am looking to sell it, just curious?

Thanks!

Grant

Honestly market wise they don't have a high valkue.Some stencil kits do but they have to have something unique and rare about them.Your kit would be worth about $50 - $100 at most.But thats about it.

Thought that may be the case, a shame because tuned up nicely with Remo coated ambassadors these drums kick!

Do you happen to have any pictures of a U.S Mercury kit that is similar in look to mine? I have been looking all over the net and can't seem to find any.

Email is [email]gweinst@hotmail.com[/email]

Thanks Grant

So...let me get this straight...You're saying that there is a Japanese stencil kit named U.S. Mercury?

It's definitely a "stencil" kit from Japan -right down to the vertically aligned grain of the lauan plywood shell.

I have known some Japanese kits to go for a surprising amount of money. There does, in fact, seem to be a small clique of collectors out there for these kits.

Thanks for this. Any websites you can recommend that have more info on these types of "stencil" drums? I'm very curious.

Cheers

Grant

I own a US Mercury kit and it the lugs, wood, tom mount......everything looks exactly the same. I love the tone on the one I have. The bass drum, for a 20", is incredible for as inexpensive as the kit is. I got it for $50.00 and it is in perfect shape.

BTW....what years did they make these kits and are they still making them?

Thanks Dan,

Any pictures of your kit? Would be keen to see the similarities.

BTW, I have been drumming in a blues band for many years, have a listen:

http://www.smokecds.com/cd/31177#tracks

Cheers G.

Smokin' stuff, G! We are currently in the studio producing our very first CD. This band I am with, now, is only about 4 to 6 months old. Our guitar player is the shiznits, though! He just turned 23 and I wold put this kid on stage with Derek Trucks and not worry about him. He can play slide incredibly well.

When I got my kit, the front bass hoop was missing and it needed lugs as well. The floor tom leg supports are stripped so I need to replace those and the mount for the rack tom is horrible. It is in fine shape but the way it wounts destroys the tone on the tom so I use another snare stand to support it. I will take some pics and post them (if I remember how).