If you look at the first blue sparkle kit- you can see that the plastic bassdrum hoops are identical to the one on my Hoshino kit, as are the bass drum feet. I wonder Black Jack was one of Hoshino`s (NOT STAR)export names. I pretty much am convinced that Black Jack was the "other" Hoshino companY's import version. The one I have with "Hoshino" badges may have been the one for Japanese markets.

The satin flame kit is almost certainly STAR- lookat the tom holder, the bass drum feet, the wrap ect... it `s clear to meJumping2

cn679, the photo link to that old blue sparkle Pearl is like a 66/67 Valencia- they were still experimenting with designs I think. They had a new tom mount like every single catalog year for a while.

O-bop, yes, I'm pretty convinced that the blue sparkle Black Jack set in question is a Hoshino. However, what I cannot figure out is the badges. The badge on the Hoshino Black Jack looks to be exactly the same as the badge on the satin Star made Black Jack set. C'mon! DOH I mean, the Apollo badges changed very obviously when Pearl started making them!

And, yes, I'm sure Pearl was using different designs early on, but that tom mount on the blue sparkle oval badge Pearl is a Star mount. They are one of the easiest Star giveaways, or so I thought, and therein lies the problem...

Which goes back to one of my arguments from the summer. There may have been an independant foundry, or only one of the companies did all the foundry for everyone. I see you have my tom, and is that your blue spark? The one you found on the curb? That was you? And now look at you, overloaded with them.

No, it wasn't me that found the blue sparkle Pearl set. I just used the photo to make a point, and the photo of your floor tom (sorry, hope you dont mind!)

Yes, there may have been just one foundry making the hardware, and just one company making the shells for that matter, which I am starting to suspect.

Nah, I'm pretty sure they made their own shells, but the sticksaver hoops and some of the lugs and other parts seem to be shared. And no, I don't care about the pic. What about the color on that monster, eh? It looks so good, all taken apart in the living room, waiting for all the planets to line up.....and the final pieces of the universe pulled into the blackhole in the center of the galaxy....maybe byt the end of the week, I can get them finished....nah, just kidding. It will be next week before they are done.

Hey I'm looking for a black jack blue sparkle floor tom and a white sparkle pearl 50's or 60's. i dig old japanese drums.They sound great with modern day heads the old mahogany sings. please reply to [email]dennis@frenchquartercafe.com[/email] I'll also consider other vintage japanese sparkle drums I mix kits sometimes why not Mexicans have been doing it for years. ThanMallet Player2ks Denny

Yeah, John, eagerly awaiting pics of the restored WMP set! Those are going to be nice. Buddy Rich on a budget??? Awesome.

Denny, if you have a Black Jack drum or set, post some pics to add to the discussion. More examples are always needed to compile info! Pics of the tom mounts, lugs, floor tom leg mounts, and badges are most helpful, but please post some shots of the whole set as well. Thanks.

Dirty D, I `m not confident that Pearl sold "white sparkle" . I own and have seen lots of gold sparkle and silver sparkle Pearls from the 60s and early 70s. I think white sparkle would look great - do you have a pic?Sumo Dude

Just thought I'd post this ebay link. There are a couple good pics of, what look to be, a Hoshino made Black Jack tom in blue sparkle. Being on a smaller drum, these pics really show the difference in the lug design. I have not seen these lugs on what I suspect to be Star or Pearl made drums.

Notice the diamond shaped mounting bracket, no re-rings, and interestingly, no holes drilled for a muffler.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Blue-Sparkle-Tom-Drum-made-in-Japan-Ludwig-hd_W0QQitemZ160398793565QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintgae_Drums_Percussion?hash=item2558835b5d

And did you check out the head choice? Rocker Heavy Coated, and Silver Dot....must have had some wicked overtone....