Hello!

Welcome to VDF, vintage MIJ drums, and most importantly-drumming!

I own several vintage MIJ kits (like others on here), and I'm sure you'll love the Norma's, once you get to playing on them.

There are LOTS of great vintage MIJ threads on here, and DFO (drumforum.org). Also, if you're looking for more resources/information, check out this cool vintage MIJ group on Facebook:

- https://www.facebook.com/groups/270145106666038/

As far as you starting the drums at your stage in life, as a former teacher, I can safely say-its never too late. One of the best students I've ever taught was a woman in her late 50's. She had never played before, had zero background in music, and just wanted to play in her church band. Four months later, she was, and having a great time :)

Btw, be sure to post some pictures of your kit, once you're up and going.

Cheers!

Enjoy and welcome

Thanks for the welcome!

I can't wait to get started and see if anything I was doing on the Drumeo pad translates to the drums. I have a guitar background, although from day 1 it was the drums I wanted to play. But I grew up in an apt. and mom and dad said "no drums, here's a guitar!" So I guess its finally time to see if I'm the drummer I always thought myself to be. Drumming is definitely a different mindset from guitar playing, so I will have to work on that. I'm not sure where I see this taking me, but I wouldn't mind playing some blues and jazz with some guys.

I could easily see how these MIJ drumsets can become an addiction. They're reasonably priced, they sound good and have a cool vibe.

Thanks for the story about the older woman learning to play. Now I know I'm not completely crazy!

And thank you @jaghog. Will do!

band3Welcome to the VDF forum. I like your attitude and style. Never too late to learn. Im sure you will have some fun. On here we have the best of the best for any advice on drums drumming etc etc. All the best......sean.

Hello- I am 63 and still gig regularly with 3 different bands- enjoy yourself as you are never too 'old'! I have many sets and I use a MIJ set I got for $100 at gigs where I am afraid of 'road rash' or outdoors- you can tune them up great with a good set of heads for any style of music- keep drumming!

I used to teach drums, and many of my students were adults who wanted to play as a kid, but never had the chance. Unfortunately, life got in the way for many of them and few stuck with it for very long. As long as you get enjoyment out of playing, that's all that really matters. In your case, you're retired, so that's in your favor.

I recently sold two MIJ sets, but have decided to jump back in the water and have two sets that I'm buying soon. One is a red oyster Leban set (made by Pearl) in 13/16/22 sizes, with a matching 5" snare. I'm waiting for the seller to return from vacation. I stumbled upon the other set Tuesday at one of my favorite music stores, an Apollo kit in red sparkle, sized 13/16/20. That set is being cleaned up and is waiting for some parts as we speak before I pick them up.

I have multiple vintage sets at this point, and all high quality American-made stuff, but there's something about these MIJ sets that's funky but chic.

Hi JimmySticks. Welcome to the world of vintage drums - and the continent of vintage MIJ drums! This segment of vintage drums has grown tremendously in the last 5 years or so. The MIJ kits are becoming more and more difficult to find. Then when you look for them, the ones with the best wraps are hard to find, and when you do, they are priced such that they demand respect. It's a good thing in general, but gone are the days of finding the prized vintage MIJs for $100. I was blessed to get in when that was still possible and I have some of those bargains.

Specifically - if you can post some pics, we can tell you a great deal about them. If they have reinforcements rings, they are 60s for sure. If not, they are more than likely 70s. Pearl and Star (who made probably 80% of the vintage MIJs - until Yamaha came into the picture around 1967-8) - as I was saying - Pearl and Star both made the transition from thin with re-rings, to the thicker shells with no rerings - around 67-68, so we know that generally that very helpful in dating them. After much enthusiasm in recent years (last 10 years) - it is now pretty easy to find the old Pearl and Star catalogs - and that helps a great deal in confirming manufacturer and dating them.

Go to this site to check if you kit is made by Star:

http://www.star-drums.de/

My inclinations are that your Norma is made by Pearl though. If you post pics, we can confirm, or you can find Pearl catalogs here on this sister site to this forum:

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/

Welcome aboard - and PLEASE - No steel wool on any vintage drum gear. :)

Welcome JimmySticks! I do believe that you are going to have a blast with all of this. I've got a few MIJ kits myself and really enjoy them. And you're right...the whole vintage vibe thing is fun and just feels right. Enjoy them!

Mike

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful welcome!

I can tell that this is going to be a great place to hang out and learn a lot about these cool drums. It feels like a real community of like-minded guys that love these drums, and the knowledge here runs deep, such as my Norma's possibly being built by Pearl - now that's pretty cool! I can see I will have to work hard to resist the collecting bug which seems to come with these drums, and just concentrate on playing.

I will try and get pics up later today!