So I posted a few days ago about this red sparkle "Avante" kit that I was going to pick up, and I did indeed pick it up. Last night I had a light cleaning session with it just to see what kind of shape it was in. It doesnt need much work. REALLY nice condition...probably the best vintage kit I have owed so far in terms of collector pieces. Below are some pics after just a wipe down.

The bummers about this kit are two fold: The 12 inch tom was drilled for a pearl style mount. If the original mount is put back on it will cover the extra holes....so that makes me feel a little better. The other thing is that it is missing the single tom post for the 12 to be suspended in true "Avante" fashion. Easy enough to find. There is a small amount of snare rash on the 13, but it is pretty minor. Other than that it is all original with chocolate milk interiors and all rods and washers etc all original. It also came with a sweet 10 lug version of the sound king snare which sounds great.

Also included were the original quick release snare stand, bd pedal, and hi-hat stand. A big ol Ludwig Hercules boom cymbal stand and a Hercules throne rounded off the relevant vintage hardware.

The big question here is: Is this ACTUALLY a Sparkling Maroon Pearl kit? I think it is by my research. If it is maroon, how rare is this finish? I am not planning on selling the kit as of now, so price is not really a concern of mine. I know the extra holes in the 12 kill it in terms of being a serious collector kit...I just want to know if this is indeed a Sparkling Maroon kit and how rare that particular finish actually is.

Serial numbers are low. Snare is 5959. Not exactly sure of the other numbers right now (the kit is at a friends house) but they are pretty low. I assume this kit is 1970 or very early 1971. Definitely has the 1970-1972 oval badge.

Anyway. Anyone wanna dork out about this with me? What is it? Here are some pics. Ill get more/better ones soon.