Since it says made in USA on the badge, I'll go with USA shells.

From what I’ve read elsewhere, it’s not necessarily that simple. Am I wrong about that? I hope so.

The shells could be MIJ.

Apparently, things got rough for the company and they went to MIJ shells from the late 60s to 77, when they went OOB. So, technically, they were always built in upstate NY and they always used there own American made hardware, but the shells might be Japanese made.

Looks very nice. Do you know what year? Can you get a picture of the inside of the shell? That would help you know.

I'd guess that MIJ Kent shells would be typical stencil type luan construction. The USA Kent shells were usually maple. The ones I used to have were actually a single ply of maple wrapped over on itself twice like rolling up a sheet of paper.

It would make little sense for one of the stencil manufacturers to adopt that unusual style of shell construction rather than just supply their typical wares with a Kent badge.

I guess that doesn't answer your question but if you could get a picture of an interior that should hold the answer. Hard to day based on that picture. The metal bass hoops and tube type tom holder suggest later production to me but either /both could have been swapped out later in the drum's life.

I was looking at that set too. They belong to Ray Montagne. I thought they were a bit high priced, and the $500 shipping fee was beyond reason, although I was told by someone at Reverb that they would refund the difference between the $500 and the actual shipping cost after the transaction. OP, did you know that?

Dennis “Mouse” Brown is the expert on Kent drums. You can ask for him at the Vintage Kent drums appreciation page on facebook. The hoops and tom mount are not period correct but may be substitutions. He will know. He’s on DFO also but not as often.

I have a MIJ Kent kit but it is named Revere (by Kent) and it has the Pearl battleship lugs..so it is really is a Pearl stencil kit. Sounds great though :) I would guess yours are USA made all around, but I am definitely no expert, lol

This site may be helpful in your research: http://www.coopersvintagedrums.com/kentmuseum1000.htm

Oh wow, I'm digging that wrap!

Is that original or a re-wrap? I ask because I know you are an enthusiastic re-wraper!;):D

Re-wrap....I used the vinyl fabric stuff that I used alot of the time. Cost is about $50 :) http://www.fabricempire.com/glitter-large-stargem-bronze-crafting-vinyl-fabric-54-wide-sold-by-the-yard.aspx This is what the drums looked like when I got them...someone really jacked them up with new mounts etc.