Weren't ALL Tempro kits from 69-74???

How long did the massive run of multi-"brand" stencil kits last, anyway?

Nooo....they began in the late 50s, and ran, in the typical MIJ until about 74-76, when the production seems to have shifted to Taiwan. That is when they truly became the trash cans everyone pidgeon-holes stencils to. The drums from the 60s are my faves, and the 3 and 4 ply are absolutely my faves for the deep, rich tone they generate. Now, these types of 69-74, they are the top of Pearl line, using the same shell as the "flagship" wood shelled drums. For whatever reason, some of these Astro/Tempro and there are a couple of others that got these shells. The key to understanding which are this type is in the details, the lugs. It is confusing for those that don't really look on them with interest, but the sublties make all the difference. Some of these are quite mid-level quality drums. Some are junk. The middle ground is what I love. The ones that confuse and confound. These would be a high end stencil kit, like my Astro orange glitter.

Or my Zimgar kit...its fantastic!