Drum Mate was another stencil brand built by Star. The Drum Mate badge should include "World's Supreme Quality", further evidence of Star heritage. And, they used Slingerland-style lugs. Also, the tom holder is rectangular with a curve across the top. Shells are usually thicker with no re-rings. All-in-all, a decently built 60's MIJ set!

The attached pictures of a Drum Mate set sold on eBay back in November, 2019 for a respectable $389!

-Mark

I have a line on a Drum Mate set in a rare finish that's in very nice shape all around, but the seller is asking $600 for it. I offered less and am waiting on his reply.

Yup, the seller has caught on to the buzz regarding MIJ gear. There are BIG quality control variations frim kit to kit so give it a good going over. I think 600 is high, unless its NOS. Try to keep it around 3-400 if you can.

OK, thanks. I appreciate the responses. The seller and I made a deal and I'm picking them up Thursday. He came down on the price, and I don't mind paying it, because it's a rare wrap. I agreed to pay a bit more for the rarity. I'm satisfied with the price.

I have had MIJ 60's drums and always dumped them after a while. These drums look pristine and have the thicker shells. I thought a while ago that I'd like another MIJ set, but it had to be in a rare finish. Everything I've had up to now was a common wrap, like gold, blue, or red sparkle, and black diamond pearl.

But, the set is missing the tom arm for the bass drum, so I'll be looking for one of those. Anybody got one?

For now, I'll mount the rack tom on a floor stand. I plan to gig these drums this summer.