Hi all,

I've recently inherited a Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute drum set from my grandfather. I'm hoping to gather as much information about the drums as possible (year, model, finish, price range, etc.) so I hope you all can help me. I've done some research on the serial number and it appears that the drums were made in November of 1988, but that's really the only information I have. I've attached a bunch of pictures for you all to take a look. Thanks for the help!

Originally Posted by ewemerson90

Hi all,

I've recently inherited a Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute drum set from my grandfather. I'm hoping to gather as much information about the drums as possible (year, model, finish, price range, etc.) so I hope you all can help me. I've done some research on the serial number and it appears that the drums were made in November of 1988, but that's really the only information I have. I've attached a bunch of pictures for you all to take a look. Thanks for the help!

Your drums were not made in 1988, as there was no Maple Custom Absolute series drums back then. Also the tom mounts are not pre-YESS, (Yamaha Enhanced Sustain System) they are the later version, as are the tom holders..
Price wise they're usually in the $1100 $1400 range more or less..Hope this helps you out.

Really appreciate the help. Thank you! Do you have any idea when they were made if not 1988?

I referenced the date tool on the Yamaha site with my serial number (OY5573) and it told me 1988. It sounds like I'm misinterpreting the information though.

This is the reference I used:
http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/...msets/806/4177

Hi wewmerson90... and to the forum!

I had a Maple Custom Absolute back in the late 90's. An awesome kit! Dug through my Yamaha literature and found what I believe is the first flyer for the Absolute line...dated 1997. That sounds correct.

Shells were a bit thinner than the Maple Custom series, with 6-ply toms and snare drums and 7-ply bass drums. Only 5 lacquer finishes were available: Sea Blue Maple, Plum Maple, Pink Sparkle (which was more of a Champagne color), Silver Sparkle (which was my kit!) and Vintage, which is what you have. The Vintage finish started out as a golden maple color, then ages to a beautiful brown over time, which is what has occurred with your kit.

I believe the Absolute drums were only available for 5 years or less, so the market is not flooded with them. They are excellent drums and still command a nice price. Condition is everything. I would say that $1000 for your kit might be on the low end. Hope this helps!

-Mark

Originally Posted by ewemerson90

Really appreciate the help. Thank you! Do you have any idea when they were made if not 1988?

I referenced the date tool on the Yamaha site with my serial number (OY5573) and it told me 1988. It sounds like I'm misinterpreting the information though.

This is the reference I used:
http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/...msets/806/4177

That is a bit strange but apparently, not uncommon as fellow forum member J!M told me.I'm sure he'll see this thread and hone in on some info for you.. I used the same reference and after an error i made, i finally got the dating right.. I have a set of Yamaha Tour series drums which were made in the early 80's and my serials state that they were made a little later (84-85) when i thought they were made in 80-81.. But i have to agree with Mark that your drums were made in the 90's. Not much demand for power sized toms, but seeing as how your kit is in perfect condition, and are no longer made, they'll bring in a nice chunk of coin for you should you choose to sell...Here's the link to my thread i posted about dating my drums and J!M's response.
I too am still learning about Yamaha drums so you're not alone !
Hope this helps you out.
http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=56528

Thanks again for the help. This was all great information to have!

Originally Posted by ewemerson90

Thanks again for the help. This was all great information to have!

You're welcome !

I think this line first appeared in 1994 or so- right after I got my blue kit and they discontinued the cobalt blue. They had a maple custom absolute kit on display in the (now long gone) drum shop that was turquoise/teal stain with gold hardware. This was the first I had seen or heard of the line. YESS mounts came out about the same time, first on the absolute line only, then available on the Recording Custom and ultimately on every Yamaha drum regardless of cost.

Those are very nice drums. I liked the low mass lugs but was not at all a fan of the plastic snap-on lugs designed for quick head changes. Those came a bit later. Black plastic that snapped onto a single post for minimized shell interference (the YESS mount was all over the place by now already).

A lot of guys were putting rims mounts on their older (pre-YESS) RC drums but I honestly never felt it was necessary. The RC's sing out just fine with the hex rod poking into the shell...

Bottom line those were not made in '88. I'm on the phone or I'd give you the dating link.

I'm really appreciating all this Yahmaha talk since i got my kit ! Love this forum

J!m...

You mention a Yamaha kit that was "turquoise/teal stain with gold hardware". The line you are referring to is the Maple Custom, not the Maple Custom Absolute. I've got Yamaha catalogs showing the Maple Custom in that color and the gold mini lugs. I still believe the Absolute line came out in 1997.

A quick internet check for Yamaha Maple Custom turned up the kit with the shell color and lug color I believe you are referring to.

-Mark