Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 137.48643%

Premier (?) Bass Drum???

Posts: 5 Threads: 1

Hello! New guy here, who came across this site researching for exactly what I have here. I recently bought a mismatched 3-piece shell pack at a pawn shop for $50. The toms are Yamaha (more on that later). The bass drum began as a total mystery to me (especially since the heads had been painted black). It had no badges.

In my research, I've been led to believe the bass drum "may" be a Premier. It is 14 x 24 with 10 lugs. It has obviously been re-purposed in its lifetime, as there are two sets of holes for bass drum feet AND marching rings on it. It also has a Pearl tom mount:

[IMG][IMG]http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww163/freddarl82/DRUMS/BassDrumoverview_zps936127d8.jpg[/IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][IMG]http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww163/freddarl82/BassDrum3_zps8521a65a.jpg[/IMG][/IMG]

My research (and questions asked on other forums) indicate these are Premier lugs, and as far as the wood goes, it "could" be the 1970's era Premier African mahogany with beech reinforcing rings. I would appreciate any info on this drum. It cleaned up rather nicely (warts and all):

[IMG][IMG]http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww163/freddarl82/DRUMS/BassDrum2_zpsf0e4ea26.jpg[/IMG][/IMG]

The toms, with a bit of research, were a bit more straightforward, thanks to the Yamah badge with model number and serial number. Based on appearance, lug shape, angled seam on the inner ply, model number (TT512GF), and serial number LN-3006, I believe it to be a 1985 stage series (or some would call it 5000 series) with a Luan shell with an inner ply of beech. The badge also says Made in Japan. Although this was on of Yamaha's lower lines (below the Recording Customs and Tour Customs), the consensus seems to be that Yamaha was making some pretty nice drums about that time, and even their lower level kits were quite good. I can say the drum cleaned up and tuned up nicely (10x12 tuned low).

[IMG][IMG]http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww163/freddarl82/DRUMS/Tom1finished_zps03d2628e.jpg[/IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][IMG]http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww163/freddarl82/Tom1_zpse74904bf.jpg[/IMG][/IMG]

Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 45 Threads: 10

Yup. Looks like a Premier Marching bass drum that has been modified for drum kit.

Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

Pearl had some knock off stencils and those lugs don`t seem to have enough crimps to me. Premiere had a crimp down the center piece too. Maybe it is a Premiere.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 3467 Threads: 116

That sure is a good deal for 50 bucks... congratulations.. that BD will pump..

Cheers

John

'77 Slingerland 51N,Super Rock 24,18,14,13.. COW 8,10 Concert toms
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

Like this one with the crimps.

1 attachments
Premiere BD lug..jpg
5.8 kB
It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 45 Threads: 10

Here:

[ame]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premier-22-Marching-Bass-Drum-/251510671590?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ&hash=item3a8f3448e6[/ame]

Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 45 Threads: 10

AND...another:

[ame]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premier-Parade-Series-28-Marching-Bass-Drum/161102202633?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D22094%26meid%3D6533899667247772627%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D9625%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D251510671590[/ame]

Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

Thanks to all for your input!

Stoli: I'm not seeing the images in your last two posts.

RE: starting its life as a marching bass drum...one thing that has thrown me off is the wrinkles in the wrap around the marching eyelets. I spent some time, back in the day, in marching percussion and have never seen this. My theory is the eyelets began to come loose at some point, and no one did anything about it for a time and the wrap became wrinkled. Everything is tight and secure now.

The more I look at the Pearl tom mount, it looks to be the same as on my 1984 Pearl MLX's. There will be no "easy" way to cover this up. Ultimately, I may re-wrap the entire kit, mainly as a means of "cleaning-up" the "warts" on the bass drum. That would give me a virgin bass drum, and I can't help but think these would look amazing with white marine pearl wrap...

And, yes, the drum sounds incredible!

Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 45 Threads: 10

Sorry Fred you are probably missing a plug-in to properly display them. They are EBAY pictures of 2 different Premier Parade Series Marching Bass Drums. One is a 28" and the other is 22'.

Do a search on ebay and you can see the pictures yourself. Both are different years. The second one is more like yours. It's a newer example. The first has some older style hardware and then wrap has yellowed.

Yes it is Pearl hardware...I agree.

Posted on 10 years ago
#9
Posts: 5 Threads: 1

Well, I finally got them all cleaned up and set up. The snare is Pearl Chad Smith I scored for $103 (shipped) on ebay. Not a bad little set of drums for $153. They tuned up nice and sound great!

1 attachments
image.jpg
90.6 kB
Posted on 10 years ago
#10
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here