More (and better) pictures!

I don't see any wood in those shells... School me guys, is this the phenolic you've been talking about?

Thanks

Based upon the pictures...

The badges on these drums are mid-to-late 70s. Pearl changed badges around 1980 to a rectangular badge that was taller and had room for more info (see the VDG Pearl section for pics).

The "varitone" or "varipitch" toms were not available in Pearl (US) catalogs until the late 70s, and were made of fiberglass (according to the US catalogs). I've never owned any of these, but I've seen 'em... and don't recall any other shell construction except fiberglass with these particular badges. Maybe in the 80s they change construction, but again not with these badges.

The bass drum looks pretty much like a "standard" Pearl fiberglass BD of the same era. The claws and Ts are different than usual, but there are some variety as far as what Pearl used; in fact in their 1978 catalog (parts sections) they list claws and Ts that are more "modern" (kinda like Slingerlands, which were usually the ones you'd find) as well as ones that more resembled the Ludwig style (like what appears on this BD).

Craig, if I hadn't alreay spent so much money this week, I might be interested. That looks like a metal wrap, but it can be removed & replaced (or the fiberglass gel coated). So if the "varipitch" mechanism still works, these could be cleaned up and be really nice drums...

Bill

Later today Sunday.i will post the whole story and history of these drums.i have to dig up my notes ...Mikey

Fish, thanks for those pics- really looks like they've got that Pearl President phenolic shell there- that is a great sign. That stuff is indestructible. And supposedly unaffected by humidity and water which looks to be the main problem on the surface of the shells there. Car Driving2

For cying out loud, you never keep quiet !

You know absolutely nothing about drums but go on as though you're some sorta expert. Please stop posting your ridiculous ASSumptions.

hitandrun, take a hike

Aye OB... H & R, please do take that long walk (away from here).

Ahhh... look! The loons are out early this fall!

Ok. i found my notes.These are from about 20 years ago talking to Andy Florio{ Mr. Florio know vintage drums},Louie Bellson, and Arno Lehmann over lunch one day in Hollywood .ca.This story is why and how these drums were made.Back in 1971-1976 or so Mr. Bellson was playing Pearl drums.Pearl even had a set like his set up in the mid 1974-75 catalog named "double 10"..2 24" bass drums,13" M.tom,2 16x16 f.toms, single headed 6"8"10",12" toms all drums were fiberglass and a C.O.B snare..When Remo came out with the Roto-toms[1975] Mr. Bellson started to used a 14",16" and or 16",18" on the side of his set over his floor toms..Pearl did not like this Mr. Bellson useing other drums then Pearl.Pearl was paying him to used Pearl drums only..So in or about 1976 Mr.Bellson stoped useing Pearl drums.Pearl went to Remo to see if they could used the roto drums and Pearl shells maybe to get back Mr.Bellson.But it was to late Mr.Bellson move on. But Remo went along with Pearl.These Pearl Varitone drums were made with the Pearl Pres. shells for the first two years 1976-78..Pearl ran out of these shells and since they were making Fiberglass shells{1974-80] and had alot of these in the wearhouse they stated to make them with the Fiberglass shells this lasted to 1980..That was the last year of these drums were made.Not to many of these sets were sold by Pearl in the U.S.This is way they are Rare to fine all toms from 6" to 18" also a snare drum was made..But Pearl never made a bass drum...Mikey

Mikey, that was awesome. You are a treasure trove of great personal experiences over the years. Thanks for sharing that with us all!!

Kev

Mikey... that info is great! flowers2

That does explain the badges, as I mentioned earlier. It's really interesting to see/learn how Pearl used up left-over shells from their "President" era, which also explains the "red" color of the shells (at least to me, anyway).

The black "edging" material used (as shown in the pics) is still available, as it is still used on marching drums (available in 15-ft pcs, actually made -- or at least marketed -- by Pearl). So... these babies are RIPE for restoration.

Craig... there may be a "market" for these being created here! I'm going to have to start thinking a little more seriously about picking these up... I'd ask if you've got anything you're looking for to trade, but with as much stuff as you have I doubt it!

BTW -- something strange I noticed about the BD -- the spurs appear to be 1980s Slingerland, at least the wing screws...