Well first of all, could you please post some pix of the drums? It would really help if we can see the interiors, the badges, the strainer, wrap...you know, the good stuff. And what is you would like to know? As far as we know, they are Star drums. We are pretty certain of the lineage, and if we see the shells, that will tell what era they are.

Sorry for not posting any pics.... I'll try and get some up soon.

Here's a pic of the entire kit.... I would like to put new heads on them... Anyone know which heads would be provide the best jazz sound for this kit?... I was thinking of trying Evans.

Thanks

For traditional jazz, I've heard some really nice sounds from Evans J1 heads -- especially with brushes. Just to be on the safe side, though, I'll add the disclaimer that I haven't heard them on vintage MIJ drums like yours.

Grantro, I'd need to see a close-up of the badge to be sure, but I'm pretty sure your Stewart's were made by Star (the company that would later become Tama) in the late 60s. The wrap looks like the black diamond pearl 'strands' that were discussed in the Lido Supreme bass drum thread a while back. It's a very cool wrap.

The shape of the t-rod handles on the bass drum also indicate that this is a Star made drum set.

A very, very cool looking set! Please post some more pics if you can. (And as I said in the other thread, coated Ambassadors on top and bottom should get you the sound you're going for, Evans G1s will probably work too.)

Thanks for the info gentlemen... cn679, you believe that these are later 60's drums? Here's a pic of the 12" rack tom.

Super cool wrap!!! Yes, the consensus around here is that the oval badge 'World's Supreme Quality' drums were produced around '67-'71. I think that's based on the dates of the catalog page scans. There isn't much evidence that these were coming out any earlier, but they made a ton of them during those years.

I have a white marine pearl Apollo set with these badges, a friend of mine has a Lido Supreme bass drum and rack tom with this wrap, there are tons of sparkles and satin finishes, etc, etc. But this wrap seems to be one of the more rare finishes. Like a cross between a diamond pearl and oyster pearl. The Japanese were a little more creative during this period than they are typically given credit for.

Hope you're enjoying them, they look awesome!

Again, thanks for the info. When I bought these drums, the fellow thought that they were circa 1963. The Apollo kit you described sounds like a fantastic looking kit. I recently saw a 5 piece Coronet with original snare for sale and the person was asking $1100.00 CDN for them. They had a psychedelic wrap on them, looked to be in great shape but I thought that they were asking too much for them. In your opinion, cn679, what would you consider market value for these Stewart drums?

Cheers

What is the shell construction? Are they thin, or a thicker looking shell? If they are really thin, almost looking like single ply, it would typically indicate 67 or earlier, like early 67 and before. If they are the thicker, 6 ply shells, they are 67 or later. That is the only real test of time we have. It seems for Star that the switch to the 6 ply, heavier shells came late spring of 67. Anything 3 ply is before that time. And in my opinion, these are the better, more desirably shells. I really like these 3 ply drums, they have a deep, resounding resonance that no other drums have.

And when they are tweaked a bit, by sanding the interiors to a 220 grit and then a coat of either tung oil or lacquer, per Rogers of the early 60s. The reason I like the lacquer is simply this: If Rogers thought it was the perfect treatment for the interior of the wood Dynasonic, it has to have a great quality, as that is aguably one of the most highly collectibly drums on this rock.