Folks, I had a blast with this set back in the day, which was about 26 years ago! I got it used back then, albeit in mint condition.
But it's been in storage for so long I have no recollection of the history or quality of this set. All I can recall is that I was told it was rosewood. I've searched the internet but haven't come across any references to Sonor sets with three mounted toms like this one. Anyone have any idea on the real age of this set and what it might be worth?
Much appreciated!!
Hi and Welcome,
Congrats: your's is a 1973-1975 so called 'K 103 B The Big Beat' from the 'Super Champion' series. Absolutely still high-end and sought after drums. Top line of Sonor back in the days. The triple tom holder was 'normal' at this set configuration.
Don't know the prices for this kit in the US, but I guess that it'll catch EUR 700 - 1,000 here in Germany, if complete and in good condition (accompanied by the genuine metals snare drum? - Can't figure it out from your pic).
I love my STAR (MIJ) kits, but this Rosewood shells would be a dream to play for me, too.
Ralf
NB: need more infos on Sonor? Here, please:
Ralf, Thanks!!
No I don't have the orig snare - Have a metal Ludwig snare. But you're right about the rosewood shells - they sound fabulous. I pulled the set out of storage and set it up thinking I would sell it. But after playing them a bit, I'm back on the fence. :)
Thanks again.
It`s definitely Champion,...6 ply would be Champion Series,..9 ply would be Super Champion Series. It`s real Rosewood,..not the manufactured rosewood of today and from the 90`s up !! They fetch good $$ !!
Can I ask where you got the BD front head ? I have a HH with PowerSonic on the pedal and I`m still try`n to ID it. People here pointed me tword PowerSonic being a distributor, that`s why I ask !! I wanna know the Where and When`s, that`s what`s not too clear !!
I have the same Roto Toms as you but they don`t have the handles on them,..I wish they did !!
Hey Oddball,
I have no doubts that you're right - but how can you tell only from the pics that these are 6 plies? Sumo Dude (just kidding - - -)
My source is the Sonor website and I thought that Stevie's set was just the same as pictured in that old catalogue.
Anyway, I'd be eager to learn something new every day (... and why his kit shall be a Champion instead of a Super Champion?).
Ralf (who is by no means an expert on Sonor drums)
The super Champion has 10 lugs BD for it`s 22",..the champion has 8 lugs BD for it`s 22". The super Champion has 6 lugs BD for it`s 18" and the Champion 10 lugs BD is 24" !!
I think I remembered that correctly !!
Can I ask where you got the BD front head ? I have a HH with PowerSonic on the pedal and I`m still try`n to ID it. People here pointed me tword PowerSonic being a distributor, that`s why I ask !! I wanna know the Where and When`s, that`s what`s not too clear !!
I had a Powersonic kit (a big one actually) with that same front logo head. I's day early 80's (maybe late 70's?) Pearl Stencil kit in Luan shells.
It was an 8-10 concert tom, 12-13 mounted, 14-16 concert tom and 16" floor tom with a 22" bass. It was a 'shelf paper' wrap of faux wood grain. Aluminum Powersonic tags were glued to the wrap and a couple nails were in there too. I saw a 24" bass drum in the same music store I got my kit from back in the day, but no other drums with it that I can remember.
Mounts were clips for the concert toms (I added Pontiac starter shims to tighten them up) and the ride toms were a hex mount with a spindly ball-n-socket arrangement... Pretty weak even with a third set screw added to the ball.
So, I stripped them, painted them Chinese red and added Pearl hardware (the better 3/4" pipe stuff) and played that kit for at least ten years until I got my RC kit.
Seeing that logo head brought back memories!
