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Helping identifying vintage premier kit

Posts: 17 Threads: 8

Hello drummers,

I have the chance to buy this litte Premier vintage kit, it looks like a 303, but I am not sure. Price will be 350 Euos, incl. hardware. I have a Premier Royal Ace Snare in exakt that finish, that's why I am considering buying it.

At the moment I am playing my blue sparkle 90's Genista, 20" and 18" bassdrum, 8", 10", 12" and 14", so I am quite flexible. My questions are:

1. What kind of Premier kit is this and is it worth 350.- Euros?

2. Since I have no chance to see/hear the kit before buying: what do I have to expect soundwise (compared to my Genista)? I play Jazz mostly.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Posted on 4 years ago
#1
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226

It looks like there are quite a few extra holes...I`m not sure of value, but, I would pass on this...

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 4 years ago
#2
Posts: 891 Threads: 26

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/

those take the "specialist" heads and have "specialist" fittings so you best prepare to enter into the "British Specialist" world.

the pre-international era

da da da daa.

the time "working on the drums" may actually outweigh the "playing" them time, would be my only reticence with Premier early era.

I gigged a bought brand new 1971 set for 26 years.

(they were International mahogany shell.

September 1971's

I'd only recommend those if you are dead set on restoring (finding a floor from the era likely the 10-lug "16") and maintaining them. With specialist heads etc

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.................................................. ......Joe
Posted on 4 years ago
#3
Posts: 584 Threads: 11

Looks like late 50's to early 60's. They would be thin three ply Finnish Birch shells with solid Beech re-rings.

Those will require Pre-International size heads which Remo still makes but can be a pain. It also has a ton of extra holes and holders. They are all Premier but there are so many of them and some are in very weird places so that really hurts the value of the bass drum.

Premiers don't bring much cash in the US but it may be different where you are. 350 Euros is $414 US dollars which you could never dream of getting over here.

The stands are modern so not worth much. The cymbal mount on the bass drum is Premier.

Unless Pre-International Premiers bring big bucks where you are I would pass. If I were buying them here I wouldn't go much over $200 and I would have to really want them.

Posted on 4 years ago
#4
Posts: 17 Threads: 8

Thanks a lot! That really helped for my decision making process. I will stay with my Genista and play it with my Royal Ace. It was more like a "wow, I found the kit for my snare" thing.

But I am really happy with the Genista, I can really play all kind of music styles with it. And I also love that special sound of the Royal Ace.

Posted on 4 years ago
#5
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226

I think you made a smart choice...

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 4 years ago
#6
Posts: 17 Threads: 8

Does anyone of you guys play a 90" Genista in the Jazz-context? I own one in a bob-zize (18, 8, 10, 12, 14) with the shorter length pancake toms. It birch and might be not considered as a typical jazz kit. Rather heavy, thick shells made out of birch.

With Ambassafor and a high tuning it works for me, but the kit seems to sound at its best mid to low tuning.

Other experiences on that? Apart from that: I love this drum kit! :)

Posted on 4 years ago
#7
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