Pearl guys, is there a person, entity or company that owns Pearl made-at-the-factory parts for drums made in the time period when there were no plants or distribution centers in the US? Say before the the 80's? I have 2 70's era Pearl sets and it's always a long hunt when I need authentic parts for them. When you need a part in short notice, some times the thrill of the hunt isn't all that thrillin'......are the Japanese plants still in operation there? It'd be worth making contact with someone there to find the stockpile of original parts or access to, if there is indeed such a thing.....Dean :confused: