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Help me identify this 80s PREMIER drum

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Hey guys, first of all sorry for the bad photos and currently I only have the 22" kick drum with me but hopefully you can identify this kit.

So, I had this kit when I was a kid (late 80s/ early 90s) and I am restoring it. I love the sound of the kick, specially. I am not sure if this is APK or XPK.

Please, notice that it has black interior and how the tuning screws are. Also the style of the logo and the "feet".

Thank You

Cool1

5 attachments
Posted on 6 years ago
#1
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Hi Udenied! The APK/XPK lines are very confusing at best, but after digging a bit I'm "guess-timating" these are APK MK III from 1994 or later. It's hard to tell from your pics if it's a wrapped or lacquered kit though. Here's some info I found, care of ToBBa over at DFO:

There generally is a lot of misinformation regarding The APK( and XPK) lines from Premier.

The APK line has been produced in a number of different varieties over the years, both in England, and in the later years made in Taiwan.

The misinformation being passed out orginates from people mixing up the different varieties, and also sometimes dragging the Cabria series into the whole mess.

There generally are 3 varieties of the APK line that show up often.

The MKI APK Royale from the early 80's. Speedboat lugs. These had nice shells with re-rings. Available in laquer(xpk wasn't around yet) and wrapped finish.

The MK II Apk from the late 80's. Long hi-tension lugs.These had ply shells (yamaha style) made out of meranti(also known as Luan or Philippine mahogany) black stained interior. Wrap finish only.

MK III APK from 94. Small low mass lug, later used on the Artist series. Wrap finish only. These had for a short time a shell made out of mdf (mostly found on kits with the crazy abalone or satin flame wraps). After a year or so the shell changed back to a ply lay up made out of meranti and eucalyptus with interior birch ply.

The easiest way to tell the difference between a kit with mdf shells and a ply shells is that the mdf shells were black inside, and the ply shells had natural interiors. This only applies on post 94 low mass lug APK

The made in England production of APK seized in 98/99.

1964 Ludwig Champagne Super Classic
1970 Ludwig Blue Oyster Super Classic
1977 Rogers Big R Londoner 5 ebony
1972/1978 Rogers Powertone/Big R mix ebony
60's Ludwig Supersensitive
Pearl B4514 COB snare ( the SC snare)
Pearl Firecracker
PJL WMP maple snare
Odds & Sods

Sabians, Paistes, Zildjians, Zyns, UFIPs, MIJs etc
Item may be subject to change!
Posted on 6 years ago
#2
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From funkypoodle

Hi Udenied! The APK/XPK lines are very confusing at best, but after digging a bit I'm "guess-timating" these are APK MK III from 1994 or later. It's hard to tell from your pics if it's a wrapped or lacquered kit though. Here's some info I found, care of ToBBa over at DFO:There generally is a lot of misinformation regarding The APK( and XPK) lines from Premier.The APK line has been produced in a number of different varieties over the years, both in England, and in the later years made in Taiwan. The misinformation being passed out orginates from people mixing up the different varieties, and also sometimes dragging the Cabria series into the whole mess.There generally are 3 varieties of the APK line that show up often.The MKI APK Royale from the early 80's. Speedboat lugs. These had nice shells with re-rings. Available in laquer(xpk wasn't around yet) and wrapped finish.The MK II Apk from the late 80's. Long hi-tension lugs.These had ply shells (yamaha style) made out of meranti(also known as Luan or Philippine mahogany) black stained interior. Wrap finish only.MK III APK from 94. Small low mass lug, later used on the Artist series. Wrap finish only. These had for a short time a shell made out of mdf (mostly found on kits with the crazy abalone or satin flame wraps). After a year or so the shell changed back to a ply lay up made out of meranti and eucalyptus with interior birch ply. The easiest way to tell the difference between a kit with mdf shells and a ply shells is that the mdf shells were black inside, and the ply shells had natural interiors. This only applies on post 94 low mass lug APKThe made in England production of APK seized in 98/99.

Thank you for your explanation. So this Made in England, right?

I love the sound of the kick drum, is this set "considered" good quality?

Can I take any extra photos to clarify any doubt?

Posted on 6 years ago
#3
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From udenied

Thank you for your explanation. So this Made in England, right?I love the sound of the kick drum, is this set "considered" good quality?Can I take any extra photos to clarify any doubt?

Yes this set is made in England, It fell into Premiers intermediate range at the time, but are a really good "bang for the buck". A pic of the badge would help clarify. Also, I couldn't really tell from your pics, so are they wrapped or lacquered shells? Do you have the snare drum?

1964 Ludwig Champagne Super Classic
1970 Ludwig Blue Oyster Super Classic
1977 Rogers Big R Londoner 5 ebony
1972/1978 Rogers Powertone/Big R mix ebony
60's Ludwig Supersensitive
Pearl B4514 COB snare ( the SC snare)
Pearl Firecracker
PJL WMP maple snare
Odds & Sods

Sabians, Paistes, Zildjians, Zyns, UFIPs, MIJs etc
Item may be subject to change!
Posted on 6 years ago
#4
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Correct its an APK, small lug model wasn't released till late 95, it first appeared in the 1996 Rebound 4 catalogue. The shells are wrapped and have a thin layer of MDF (craftwood) under the wrap to help with adhesion to the eucalyptus core. The inner ply is the usual black painted Meranti (Lauan) which all small lug APK's had - the ones with the natural Birch inner plies are the XPK model

Posted on 6 years ago
#5
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The small lug APK finished in 1997/early 98 when it was replaced by the Cabria

Posted on 6 years ago
#6
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From dukekamaya

The small lug APK finished in 1997/early 98 when it was replaced by the Cabria

But is still the MK III, as previously mentioned?

Posted on 6 years ago
#7
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From udenied

But is still the MK III, as previously mentioned?

Yes It is an APK model, MK III refers to it's 3rd incarnation under the APK name.

1964 Ludwig Champagne Super Classic
1970 Ludwig Blue Oyster Super Classic
1977 Rogers Big R Londoner 5 ebony
1972/1978 Rogers Powertone/Big R mix ebony
60's Ludwig Supersensitive
Pearl B4514 COB snare ( the SC snare)
Pearl Firecracker
PJL WMP maple snare
Odds & Sods

Sabians, Paistes, Zildjians, Zyns, UFIPs, MIJs etc
Item may be subject to change!
Posted on 6 years ago
#8
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Yep its a 96-98 APK.

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Posted on 6 years ago
#9
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This pic shows the thin MDF veneer used to adhere the wrap (problems adhering the wrap to the oily Eucalyptus shell)

Posted on 6 years ago
#10
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