From what I read, it appears the name Leban originated in the Baltimore area. There was a music distributor there that used that name on a line of MIJ guitars.

Hello Drumbob

I like the center lug stuff okay save for one factor

If you find a kit missing some of the original rods which is almost always the case

It can sometimes be quite a job to find them

of course one can sometimes change out the swivel nuts to accept standard and/or modern rods

But often the extra long stuff is a double pain in the butt to match up

Hello Mike Thanks very much the sizes of that kit is 20"12"14"ft and snare

Hello funkypoodle more to your point

as both a mij collector and a New Englander I have been searching for a MIJ Boston badged kit

I have had zero luck finding one and those I have seen that have previously been sold

All seemed to come from Australia

My last sighting was an orphaned blue agate mounted tom with the Boston badge

sure enough the seller was from down under

Ken...Do you know the name of that red and grey swirl finish on that Leban set I'm looking at? Have you ever seen a Leban catalog?

Hello Bob I have never seen a Leban catalog

the color I would have no clue about either except to say it looks AWESOME

I have this rusty very beat up Pearl kit with a similar wrap

I'm pretty sure that's Red Oyster from the 1973 Pearl catalogue http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/pearl_finishes.html, like the Bollero kit shown here. This Bollero is a 3-ply so the colour was around before '73, as by 1973t they were using thicker shells w/ no re-rings.

I think you hit the nail-on-the-head with the color, which does appear to be the 1973 version of Red Oyster. Definitely different than the earlier Red Oyster. Does it command a premium over standard finishes? I would say yes. However, the question is...how much more? In regards to MIJ kits, I'd say maybe $50 more. IMHO, the person selling the Leban kit in question probably paid way too much and is trying to recoup some of his possible loss. My opinion would be that the kit should sell for current fair market value + $50. Just my :2Cents:

-Mark

Thanks for the info, guys. I think I'm going to grab this set. It's good sizes-13, 16, 22-for my rock gigs, and it will clean up nicely. As for the missing snare strainer, I'll have to see if I can find one. I love the color. Very unusual.

Awesome! Good luck, DrumBob, please post pics if you do pick it up.