Since we have been discussing the history of Pearl/Star/other MIJ imports recently, I thought it might be helpful to post this. Saw this at a local shop and knew I had to take some pics for the forum, especially for the MIJ Junkies Club.
Here we have a very nice, as far as I can tell, original Tempest Deluxe 3 piece (12/14/18) in silver sparkle. Lots of interesting stuff here: the 18" bass drum (!!!) features Trixon style t-rods and a claw design that I've never seen. The lugs are unlike anything that I can recall seeing on a MIJ set. (Are they a copy of another lug design?)
I think the mounting hardware for the rack tom is pretty interesting (sorry, no photo of the bass drum mount.) I've seen this before but can't remember where. Seems like a more substantial/better made system than the rail systems. The floor tom leg mounts look like, if I remember correctly, some Kent mounts I've seen. They also look like the leg mounts that Yamaha and the Yamaha made R-360 drums had.
I was glad to see a set that corroborates Mikey's story about Woody Cooper importing drums from Pearl in Japan (see below.) If Mikey's dates are correct, that would put this set somewhere around 1962-1968.
As you can see, the Tempest Deluxe badge is just like Mikey describes. I am curious, however, if the name "Jazzmaster" (either in addition to or rather than "Stagemaster") might have been one of the sets that was imported by Mr. Cooper? Could be possible given the similar badge and larger wingscrews on the tom mount as seen here:
http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=11723
Anyway, lots to discuss. Hope this helps us fill in the puzzle a little bit.
(Originally Posted by MIKEY777) "In 1962[mid] he ordered more sets but wanted to sell them across the U.S.A.he said he added pearl finish [w.m.p.--b.d.p.--pink d.p.] and change the name again to "Tempest" change the badge to a oval made of brass-[slingerland copy]-painted black with tempest in gold letters badge also had "de-luxe" under the tempest name at bottom of badge again sold these sets across the U.S.A.--By late 1964 Pearl wanted to export pearl sets under the Pearls name thats when Pearl drums became inports to the U.S.A,but still made sets for Mr.Cooper to sell under the Tempest name Mr.cooper told me by 1966 Pearl was flooding the market with the sets they made,they were useing Pearl and about 75 other names..Pearl still made the Tempest sets for Mr. Cooper but also wanted him to order more sets so in late 1966 Mr.cooper came out with another name of drums"stagemaster" also still useing Tempest these badges were stickers somewhat oval is shape letters and around the badge was gold the backing color was an off-white..By late 1968 or the first part of 1969 Mr. cooper stop useing Tempest and Stagemaster as names..."
