When you say "Premier 60s/70s" Be aware that was when a huge change occurred. Metric was phased out right in the middle of that time frame. The Tail End of the sixties early 70s--- "International" (basically for discussion "American") size came on board. This matters in regards to heads

I ordered and received September 1971 an entire International Size (no Metric) Mahogany shell with Beech re rings.

All standard American size heads. Could say I "studied" Premier from 1971 to 1997.

The other less fatal note of note is.. in the "60s/70s" was... the Birch shell ( metric) and the International (Mahogany) shell.

You can visually from Pictures- tell a metric drum- from an International one. Small toms, floor toms, some bass drums... by their hardware design.

There are slight but very noticeable differences.

So metric/ international sizing

birch and or mahogany shell

ability to Spot the hardware

are all points of awareness

to be aware of in Premier 60s/70s.

By 1973 hardware (tom holder) was improved to a Single post double tom holder and other hardware improvements. 1973- 1978 peak Premier for an American drummer.

Check the catalogs at vintagedrumforum. to visualize your skills in premier spotting.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-Premier-Bronze-silk-Drum-Set-22-13-16/323999647811

All- American size. Good set. Later 73 Tom post. The series (in America) is 6000 (there's other market/territorial names) US catalog used 6000 series. Did not have the "Flush" lug. Flange hoops instead of cast..Slightly cheaper (new) kit but Same shells. Good.

Same deal with this one: another early 70s

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-Premier-Green-Sparkle-Drum-Set-22-13-16/223777158515

Now this One's a Little earlier: I'd say 66 or 67 maybe 65 or earlier

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Premier-Vintage-5-piece-early-60s-drum-set/223719758427

As he states. They are Metric (hoop size) he cleverly but factually calls it " pre-international".

This set would be harder to service. It may have a birch or two shell in there. Has the old metric-school 10 lug floor tom. The very finicky small tom holders.. (The above 6000s likely all mahogany likely and easy to use hardware)

Yes this Silver Sparkle set is a bit finicky.

The other two are easy like owning a Ludwig.

Here's a set at DFO

https://www.drumforum.org/threads/year-end-blowout-mid-70s-premier-resonator-kit-22x14-13x9-14x10-16x16.167193/

Middle 70s Resonator (means thin shell over the regular held in place by pressure)

All American size ("international") For the Year Top of the Line for the year

Thank you so much for the in depth response and the history. Very good to know, and thanks as well for the comments on the links I posted. Excellent! Informative! This forum is always a great place to go for excellent info because of people like you. Again....thank you!

So, would you compare the 3 ply mahogany (later) sets to the same sound of 3 ply Slingerland or Ludwig?

Regards

So I would say the Premier 3 ply mahogany were even Thinner.

The Slingerland and Ludwig were a poplar ply in with the mahogany (or some other wood in addition to the mahogany)

Whereas the Premier plies were all Mahogany; thinner overall (still) and had Beech rings. The Premier mahogany 3 ply ringed shell was very Low pitch. Very Dark.

So that's a comparison. You may not want the very dark. The Ludwig (WFL) and Slingerland I believe had another wood in their three ply.

the Premier did not.

Thanks again for the info! It is very helpful and most appreciated!! The dark sound is mostly what I’m after, much obliged. The Slingerland’s I own, are maple/poplar/mahogany for the 3 ply and maple/poplar/maple/poplar/mahogany for the 5 ply without re-rings. Both have a nice sound. Looks like I will decide on one of the 2 1970s sets with your recommendation.

Happy New Year!

God Bless...

Same to You.

I would stay away from the Pre-International sizes, because getting heads may be an issue. Or should I say, you can get heads, but your choices may be limited. I was considering a Premier International sized set from Canada a while back. They were red marine pearl. a five piece set. The seller would not budge on the price, so I told him no thanks, unless you can work with me. They may still be up there for sale. You might want to look and see.

Thank you sir...I appreciate it! I’ll look....