I've played many Premier kits and although I'm not an expert on them, I do have to say they did make some nice kits. I find it almost impossible to tell the difference between their models. APK and XPK's are easy, as the difference was the wrap or lacquer finish. Do you have an idea of the year?? Resonator's (if I remember right) had re-rings. I would guess it's worth whatever you are willing to pay for it. It looks too new to be original. If it is original and indeed from the early to mid 70's ......well that would be a nice find. Something does look out of place there in that set though.

i dont think they're resonators any more, the lugs can be seen from inside the shell. And now that i come to think of it, the wrap looks a bit too new, like it's been rewrapped recently. Maybe that's why the bass drum hoops don't have a wmp inlay

Yep!! That's what I was kind of thinking. Also the thing that is out of place is the tom mount. It's square rather than round possibly indicating this kit is from the 80's, or at least the mount is. It's so hard to tell with Premier's but I believe you are correct. If the price is right, there is nothing wrong with Premier drums. Infact they made Yamaha drum shells for awhile. (some suspect they still are for the higher end drums but who knows)

Premier Elite drums were, to my understanding, a 3-ply kit with reinforcing rings. You had the option of either maple or African mahogany shells. I had one a while back in a 13/16/22 configuration. I didn't know much about them, but they were great sounding drums for rock (not so much for jazz). The hardware and snare are spot-on what I had, but mine was an "antique white" finish.

[COLOR="DarkRed"]It does look like a rewrap, but what's the seller asking ?

If it's a good wrap job and the price is right, those could be nice drums. I really like the old Premier thin shells. They were usually birch and they have great 'bottom' to them...the best of any vintag mfr., IMHO.[/COLOR]

I have an elite series kit which has a mahogany bass drum and mounted toms, the floor tom appears to be a lighter coloured wood, either maple or could it be birch, any ideas? Just wondering if people used to order them with different shell materials like what seems to be happening now with Pearl reference and other custom kits where the type of wood is changed to suit the size of drum better. Your thoughts appreciated.

Elite were either Birch (the earlier models) or Mahogany (tha later models).

Both are VERY good drums!! Some of the best vintage drums around IMHO.

I have 2 vintage kits at the moment. With Birch shell... GREAT drums!

Maple was not used in the old drums.. as far as I know Premier made their first Maple kit in mid 80's.

And Yes: elite, resonator and the older stuff to are 3 ply birch with beech re-rings.. or (start to mid-70s) they switched to mahogany mostly.. but mind you that was real african mahogany! Thats quality wood!

Even the later resonator (they have double shells) were mahogany on the outer shell, BUT always birch on the inner shell.

I've owned them all.. Ludwig, Gretsch. Slingerland.. you name them.. Premier are the best vintage drums for me.. they sound SOOOO good in the studio to..

and the Premier Chrome.. og my god.. even drums like mine (1962) are in almost flawless condition on the chrome work!!

that a nice kit you found there.. the coating is almost certain not original.. that does not look like the Premier white pearl from that era.. but if its well made, then it dos not matter.. just make sure the coting is fully glued and has no bubbles.. the shells are so thin 3-3.5 mm that a bad wrap job will ruin the resonance of the toms.

The snare is almost most likely aluminium... a GREAT snare.. looks like the legendary 2000 snare from Premier (late 60s or early 70s)

Premier drums are good drums. The snare (2000) that comes with the kit your thinking of buying is awesome. I just bought one,couldn't be happier. Pm me,let me know if your gonna buy these. Thanks.

Can anyone tell me if these are Premier Elite. My wife got them for me for Christmas and I would like to find out more about them.

http://premierdrums.wordpress.com/

The Snare has a Made in Japan stamping on it with no other identification. The rest of the drums are all matching Premier.