They are mine now. They are just phenolic President drums with a different badge as far as I can tell. And what a badge, va-va-voom. Looks like about a 1971 font to me. The snare strainer is a riot and it works very well. Excellent condition overall, outstanding shell tone and dimensional accuracy.
Any info, or even just gentlemanly speculation would be cool. Thanks!Sumo Dude
SCROLL DOWN FOR NEW LOGO BASS DRUM HEAD
Awesome! Love that script. Let's hear more about them.
Sweet kit! I snagged a couple of pix for info. Please post better photo's when you get 'em.
Thanks!
"Dimensional accuracy", that is spectacular!
I have only seen one drum with that badge, and I thought it was a fake. It isn't even on the "Drum Guide" badge list . Did Pearl use it for 3 days? And what about INTER-dimensional accuracy? In case you are playing "Age of Aquarius" or "Journey to the Center of the Mind"?
Those are cool lugs! Nice grab.... I like!! Clapping Happy2
These pictures aren't really any better, but here they are. Again, they are standard phenolic Presidents with a funky badge. Sorta seems like a logo transfer BD head with the mod faunt is in order.
So far I'm not in love with the snare which is a bit fussy like a DynaSonic. It's very sensitive and dry with a tendency towards staccato. Good, but not fat at all. Pretty deep beds. (SEE POST BELOW FOR MORE ON SNARE)
The toms are outstanding, the bass powerful and broad. The rail mount chokes the 13" (snare stand w/ latex) but a ride sounds fine on the arm and doesn't rumble in the kick mic.
Wrap is not a Delmar laminate but rather a single layer of translucent plastic with blue flakes floating in it. There are some highlight flakes too - an aqua and a sky blue pop from the navy blue mass.
Check out the keen strainer mech. It's pretty heavy duty and works quite well. Original wires are a bit stretched out. Dig the kooky muffler knobs. FT has a later knob subbed - bummer. (ANYBODY HAVE THE RIGHT ONE FOR SALE OR TRADE?)
These can't have been very inexpensive - probably just below pro stuff. Seems like Pearl's big market push came later and at a lower price point, and of course with lauan shells. I'll say this - at the moment I have two pairs of phenolic 13/16 President toms in house, and they are identical in shape, tone and performance. Actual consistency in 1970ish, still consistent 43ish years later. Try THAT with vintage Ludwigs. No way Bee.
More pics tomorrow with (hopefully) some sun. Ka-Boom!
Scratch that last bit about the snare, lol. I realized the reso head it came with was a Diplomat BATTER. D'oops! So, that's sorted and now the drum acts pretty much exactly like a 5x14 I made out of a 70s Pearl fiberglass shell. Very crisp and sensitive, not particularly warm, but expressive and snappy. Still reminds me of a Dyna a little bit, just not as much. It likes higher and middle tunings. Tuned down there is no shell honk, kind of flavorless down there.
Put Gretsch diecast hoops on the toms and, well, y'all should probably stand back a little ways. Gee whiz they are hopping around now - cranked up a little to Morello land. Just like Gretsch but a bit livelier.
The rail mount is still a choker. It leaves sustain alone but hacks off the lows.
Phenolic BD hoops are my favorite ever. Perfectly round, not a mark on them, contributing neither mud nor zing, they are stout and neutral sounding.
Fantastic write-up. Too good, in fact now I want a set of them!
