Maybe that kit won't go that high? I don't think it will top $250 – I certainly won't be bidding. I'm not sure it will be the same as your ludwig experience andrew, I know the guy who was bidding against you and he is an active collector.

Trev: The Pearl kit is an early 70's Deluxe in blue oyster I think. It's actually a 5 piece. I have the other rack tom that still needs restoration. I use the original BD tom mount now, too. It's actually my favourite kit. I didn't see the orange one on TM. Did it sell?

Mark: At $250 it's probably worth a punt and not too far to drive to fetch for me, but i think someone will pay more.

Just read the link, Looks like you did some serious work to get it looking as beautiful as it does today! I can see why you don't want to take a punt on the pearl! x-mas3

Nope they wanted $550 for it and it needed a lot of work, it had no bottom rims on the toms you couldn't really tell from the pics what the condition of the wrap was, I think it had different lugs as well more like a president it was rusty and pitted, Plus it was in invercargill.

My solution to this is to simply ask the dirtbag if there are cracks. This kit will go high, make no mistake. And there is always the paypal way. Make it right or give the money back. This kit is highly collectible as they made only a few thousand world-wide, and few show up as complete as this one. The snare is correct, and looks to be a King Beat, in and of itself worth 200-300 bucks. Guys, I am telling you, this is one of those kits to take the chance on. I would if it were feasible for me to bid on it. The shipping and other costs make it not worth it to me, however I am telling you.....go for it.

Jonni, almost no one uses paypal in NZ – most people haven't even heard of it. Ebay lost out in NZ and they have no presence at all. The local equivalent 'trademe' is the one and only. They don't offer paypal but do have a service called safe trader which might be a go.

Sorry about my ignorance. Also, I was unaware the emails had already gone un-heeded. What a dick. Man, has no idea. If he spent 3045 mins. it could make a 300 difference. And if they are cracked, he would do betrter to disclose it as the right price is there. I see no evidence of cracking, so any would be spider webbing. These are easy to stop. I have said before, for some reason, these shells tend to not crack like most other lucites. Only if we could get through to this moron.

Ok so I got it for $455 nz in the end that's about 300 US, Decided to take a risk on it! I found the tama catalogue page for it too. Let you guys know what the condition is like when I get to it in a couple of weeks!Storm Trooper

YES!!! You are gonna love this kit! And since he neglected to clean it up, you gotta helluva deal!

This kit, with this snare, has to be a mixed kit. The snare is from 74 or so, and the Star badged drums have to be from late 73-early 74. This is the time they changed the name from Star to TAMA, this is clearly a TAMA snare, the King Beat, but the drums are not, unless the snare is actually the first year of the King Beat as a Star. So, all in all, this may be a transition kit, and still, 300 is OMG what a deal. Those go for 500+++ here all the time.

I agree,thats going to turn out ok for you.Sometimes you have to stick your chin out and take a chance.I learned that in boxing.You cant always depend on the seller giving a rats ass if its clean and polished or not.He likely lives like that and has no desire to dazzle you.Take it or leave it attitude.Keep us posted.