This is the USA badge after they got sued. Star could not import using their own name. Someone else had a US trademark on the name so they used this badge as the only one on the drums for a period of time. I am working on the timeline for this badge. My 8256-B COS snare has this badge on it and it is unknown era. Definitly Star.

@vaildaddy:

If you use the 'Search', you will find a lot of more very interesting information going into deep about MIJ kit. One of those:

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=9404&highlight=royal+star

(Attention: this search has the potential to become hooked on vintage drums!)

:)

Ralf

Another thing that isn't adding up is if you look at the lugs on the Tom Tom they are not in line with each other, they are staggered. I have not seen that in any of the Star catalogues or anywhere else.

Actually scrap that last post. I found a few. Its almost like its a combo of '65, '67, and '72.

This is one of the odd things about Star. Those type "B" lugs almost touch on the 12", so they get staggered on the toms, sometimes the bass. I have a Majestic kit (Star stencil) that has the type "A" lugs (sling copies) and they are offset as well.

You will find a lot of irregularities if you look at many MIJ drums, and some stuff that seems to be exactly the same, like the Pearl and Star copies of the Slingerland Soundking tom lugs. The appear to be identical, yet when held sideXside, you see the subtle differences. Too many thins to point out, unless you plan on going headlong into the wonderfully maddening and thouroghly confusing world of MIJ collecting....

John:

What does the word "stencil" refer to?

Thanks, Dave

A copy of another. Anything that is copied is called a "stencil" in the manufacturing sector.

Check my website for good pix of my Royal Star kit. If needed I would be more than happy to take close up pictures of the cymbal mount. Or anything else for that mater. Part of mine was missing. Mikey777 had the part.

fishwaltz, thanks. That kit you have is pretty darn close. One thing I've noticed compared to all of the pictures out there is that my Cymbal mount is closer to the drum head in between the lugs. Everything else I see has it centered including yours. I wonder if its just due to the 2-toms version of this kit of mine. Makes sense I just haven't seen any pictures like it. I'll see if Mikey777 has any more parts. I need 6 of the 2" metric screws and a bottom rim and screws for my 16" floor tom.

You measure those t-rods from the bottom of the collar to the end of the threads. Just to clarify.