Slingerland - The 'exotic plywood' the used car salesman is referring to in the ad is the same vertical grain Luan they used in every other Made In Japan drum kit. Stuarts are 60's MIJ's of the same quality, more or less, than any other MIJ kit. Some of them can sound surprisingly good too. I've played a couple of second-line Stuart 'house kits' along the way and they sounded pretty good.

John

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure they would once have been wrapped.

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/japanese_drums/japanese_start_page.html

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/japanese_drums/badges.html

http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/japanese_drums/list_of_names.html

Looks like the wrap was removed and then the lauan was stained and or coated?

This kit was stripped of its wrap - 100% sure. I have seen many of these kits in the same situation. The wraps on these kits were notorious for bubbling, shrinking and cracking, so many people simply stipped off the wrap (which was not glued on, but taped at the seam only), and added a coat of varnish to the shells. These kits actually came with some really awesome wrap patterns that resembled the American kits that they were knocking off. Finding one with a really cool wrap that is still intact is actually a better bet, and these kits can often be had for about $200 or so and usually with some hardware and sometimes cymbals. And yes, the shells are the vertical grained luan. I hope that helps.

I've recently started collecting MIJ kits, Stewart included, and personally I'd take a pass on this deal. Far from original condition, and no kick drum. I believe, (from the badge) that they are actually 'Star', (Tama) and not Pearl. Yes, they were almost certainly once wrapped. They'd probably sound fine, but it's really not a great deal, even complete, and in original, (wrapped) condition, these kits are currently not overly valuable. Suggest searching through the 'Non U.S.' section of this forum for more background.

I agree that the wrap has been removed on this kit and the shells stained and varnished...The badge puts this kit in the 60`s...They are Star and not Pearl as DaddyNowhere had mentioned...

I, myself, would pass on this deal...As said above, you can get an original wrapped kit with hardware for not much more than what this seller is asking...You just have to keep your eyes peeled!!

Hope this helps...

Cheers

As everyone has posted the wrap has been re-moved..The price is high on these drums..I would not pay more then 60.00 for all the drums...Mikey

That is about as detailed a response as anyone could ask for, and Mikey, those links you posted are extremely valuable. thanks a bunch......

I refer to them so often. I thank you too Mikey.