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HELP: Calling All MIJ Experts!

Posts: 799 Threads: 170

Hi MIJ Experts!

I have a 14 snare 12/20 MIJ Stencil Kit in Red Sparkle from 1968. I don't know a ton about MIJ kits, besides their flood of the market in the 60s and 70s to complete with the American brands.

The story from the original owner (who was a guitar player in his youth) was his dad bought it for him and his brother to see if drums would stick for them. They banged on it for a week until the father couldn't take it and he boxed it back up and put in under their basement stairs where they sat for years.

Fast forward to last summer, when I happened upon them at his estate sale! These are brand new condition and were in the original boxes and bags. I've never seen vintage chrome or a wrap this clean! Came with original sticks, brushes, cowbell, wood block, cymbal arms and cymbals, kick pedal and hi-hat stand plus snare stand. Pedals have SPEED PEDAL on them. No badges on any of the drums. Snare throw almost looks like a Slingerland Zoomatic knock-off. Lugs are almost kind of Ludwig Club date looking.

So I guess my question is, what are these actually worth? Debating if I should sell them or just keep them in my collection if not worth a ton. Just a super clean, fun little kit. I guess I am seeing if there is any one interested as well.

Any input or knowledge would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks!

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drfills | Derek Mantz | MKE Drum Co. - mkedrumco.com - Facebook - Instagram
Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 948 Threads: 48

Hello Drfills

No expert here ..but I have collected a bunch of these Japanese kits

as for your nice little red sparklers there

I would say first of all that I have noticed there is a few different levels of build quality

In the Japanese made stencil drum kits as a whole

In my collection I have three different colored 3 piece kits that are all pretty much identical to yours save for the wraps

one is red marine pearl "U.S. Mercury " another is "Ralston" in champagne sparkle (looks like beach sand ) and the third is Stewart (foil badge) in a silvery blue marine pearl

I would place yours and all three of mine in the very first level of quality and feature

with my kits I paid twenty five dollars for each of them

they needed cleaning the heads were trashed and they were minus most of the accessories and hardware you mentioned

And I would figure cleaned up, that top dollar on them, would be around a hundred bucks.

Yours as you mention are super clean and with original hardware and packaging so this should bring them up some

Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 2413 Threads: 336

Hey Doc!

Based on what I see, those are going to be the thicker shell (anywhere from 6-9 ply) luan AKA Phillipine Mohagany (sp?!?)

They are made by Pearl post 68, likely anywhere between 68 to early 70s.

Since there is no FT - not worth as much, though possible it never had one - some models had no FT. Everything looks to be original - just confirming what you already know from the known history.

May be worth $200-300, 400 tops (to a collector) - because of its condition and completeness. Cool that you have hardware and original cymbals.

Those drums are worth more keeping than selling - find a FT for it and enjoy!

Make sure the edges are good, tune to the shell - and they will sing. Will sound better today than they did 40 years ago - as the wood has had time to dry out - and head technology has advanced so much.

Run SKI on the BD batter and a good reso on front (like an Evans EQ3 or 4)

Thanks for sharing a great story - quite a kit there!

John

I had a great day! Instead of sleeping in and wasting the day, I got up at 8 and I had all my slacking done by noon!

2Timothy1:7
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 2349 Threads: 79

From Drummerjohn333

Hey Doc!Based on what I see, those are going to be the thicker shell (anywhere from 6-9 ply) luan AKA Phillipine Mohagany (sp?!?) They are made by Pearl post 68, likely anywhere between 68 to early 70s.Since there is no FT - not worth as much, though possible it never had one - some models had no FT. Everything looks to be original - just confirming what you already know from the known history. May be worth $200-300, 400 tops (to a collector) - because of its condition and completeness. Cool that you have hardware and original cymbals. Those drums are worth more keeping than selling - find a FT for it and enjoy!Make sure the edges are good, tune to the shell - and they will sing. Will sound better today than they did 40 years ago - as the wood has had time to dry out - and head technology has advanced so much.Run SKI on the BD batter and a good reso on front (like an Evans EQ3 or 4)Thanks for sharing a great story - quite a kit there!John

What John said. Find a FT and tune to the shell. You'll have a blast.

fishwaltz
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 1819 Threads: 153

Oh man... and I sold a 14x14 floor tom about a year ago that was nearly a perfect match!

Yes, this 3-pc configuration was pretty common back in the day. My first ever set was just a 3-pc. I of course added a floor tom and other modifications...

I think you'd be best served to just keep it and enjoy!

Bill

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 2264 Threads: 83

That's a keeper. Wonder though, why did many MIJ or lesser quality kits of that era not sell with the floor tom? Did the makers assume it would be a cheap introductory kit for children who may soon lose interest in drumming?

The greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. - Joyce Meyer
Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 1819 Threads: 153

From larryz

That's a keeper. Wonder though, why did many MIJ or lesser quality kits of that era not sell with the floor tom? Did the makers assume it would be a cheap introductory kit for children who may soon lose interest in drumming?

I'm thinking this had to be the case. It gave the parents an option of a lesser cost, and I'm sure that market was there.

I will say this, however... I've been in a lot of venues that were small, and quite frankly a 3-pc kit could/would have been plenty!

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 799 Threads: 170

Hi All,

Thanks for the input on these - I really appreciate it! I'm most likely going with keeping them, as they are super fun and not worth a whole lot.

Looks like the search is on for a matching floor! :)

drfills | Derek Mantz | MKE Drum Co. - mkedrumco.com - Facebook - Instagram
Posted on 10 years ago
#8
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