Hi Andrew. Thanks man.

The only other major change is that the floor tom leg mounts were updated to modern "gate-type" mounts. These are the ones that swing open as you loosen them. Thankfully I didn't need to drill holes! Hows that for luck?

The original Star mounts had widened and split apart over time rendering them useless. Apparently the Star model castings that were on the floor tom don't feature the same mid-point internal reinforcing bracing that some other MIJ castings use.

Thanks Brian. Yes well worth the effort. Its my pride and joy. Think I had better stop by the Gallery for a drool then....

Thanks Mark. Yes couldn't agree more. Still have the original tom spade mounts and the rail consolette is still attached to the bass drum. So could go back to original but to be honest I don't want to :)

Hi Ralf,

Thank you so much for replying. I know how passionate you are about the brand and I take my hat off to you for your dedication of time, effort and expense to create your wonderful website. It really is a testament to you.

Here is a list of changes that I have made to the kit since purchase:

- Complete strip of all hardware from all drums

- Bearing edges re-cut and sanded to 220grit level. Rounded over vintage Gretsch profile.All wood defects filled with color-matched wood putty

- Full sand and multiple coats of Danish Oil to drum shell interiors and bearing edges

- All hardware disassembled and cleaned and polished

- Refitted internal mufflers to Toms

- All tension rods and tension rod inserts replaced with new modern fittings. Spring inserts reused.

- Full clean and buff of Fantasia Pearl plastic wrap

- Replacement of all chrome drum rims/hoops

- Addition of black Tama RIMS mounts to 12" 13" and 16" toms

- Addition of Premier 20" maple bass drum hoops. Painted black finish

- Source and replace bass drum spurs

- Source and replace bass drum T rod tension rods

- Add vintage Japanese bass drum stabilizer/spike to resonant hoop

- Replace damaged Floor tom mounts

- Add Remo Coated Emperor Batter side and clear ambassador resonant side heads to all toms

- Remo Powerstroke 3 kick batter side and Remo Ambassador Coated Bass Drum resonant head

Speaking from experience on playing and living with this kit I believe the following:

1. Wood bass drum hoops allow the bass drum to resonate so much more than you would expect over steel hoops.

2. Changing to modern tension rods and inserts keeps the drums in tune longer.

3. Oiling the inside of the shells seems to brighten the overall attack ever so slightly but mellows out the overtones dramatically.

4. RIMS mounts really do help the overall sustain of the drums.

5. Remo coated emperors or coated ambassadors (either standard or vintage series) seem to be best for Toms. The yield a vintage round sound which suits the drums.

6. Remo Powerstroke 3 is an excellent bass drum batter and a full Coated Ambassador resonant yields a full round mellow bass drum sound.

Thanks for enduring my novel :)

Have a great day!

Excellent, perfect, along with a cacophony of huzzahs!

Ya did good...

I'm impressed on the extent to which you revived your Fantasia kit! Once again, it proves how passionate we are about our vintage drums! I'd like to state again what many of us know from personal experience; and that is that it's not about how much money we spend on our passion and knowing that we will most likely never recoup the money back. It's about taking what we love and improving it for how we'll use it.

You could have easily acquired a new set of MIT drums and been reasonably happy, but, instead, you chose to give life to a wonderful set of vintage MIJ drums. My hat is off to you!! Bowing

... one more of a little tessera part which help to rise up the image of those cheap MIJ sets a little bit ...

I'm afraid, when we proceed with our enthusiastic work, we can't pay the price for MIJ kits - one day - in the future - any more, 'cause their image has switched to some kind of highly appreciable drumsets ...

Am I too pessimistic? (... or is that optimism? ...)

Ralf

I can't speak for others, but I'm noticing a newfound appreciation for these old MIJ kits among modern consumers. Many seem to be seeing them as true vintage drums worthy of notice rather than just attic junk.

Nope, you're right. The niche is small, but growing.