How much are you asking..

Harry

$4,700 USD

QUINTO 30.5” X 9.75

CONGA 30.75” X 10.75

TUMBA 30.75 X 11.75

SUPERTUMBA 30.25” X12.75

RED OAK STAVE (SCORED) CONSTRUCTION

BOUGHT NEW IN 1977

Drum Labels: Valje Drums 3312 SUNSET BLVD. LOS ANGELES CALIF. 90026

I got a really nice Istanbul Agop Mel Lewis 21" Ride (with the two rivets) "from Santa " this last Christmas x-mas2. A nice addition to my Istanbul family.

I am not familiar with these. Is there anything special I should know about these that separate them from the pack? They really look nice. Is it the wood? Is it the construction? What is it about these that makes them so unique?

I think its both the wood and the construction. Stave construction is about as hard to do as single ply steam bending. Very meticulous.

The stave construction, the wood, the person that made them, the age and the fact that there are not many 4 pc (plus the matching bongos) sets around makes these drums unique. Tom Flores didn't make a lot of Supertumbas from what I've read about him and his drum building days in L.A.

So I think these drums are a little more unique (maybe collectible is a better choice of wording here) than your average set of Valjes for the following reasons:

1) the set includes a supertumba

2) The set is all four drums - from quinto to supertumba plus matching bongos.

3) They were made in Tom Flores' shop - VALJE DRUMS - in L.A. more than 30 years ago.

4) They're a part of American drum building history.

As an aside here:

When I bought these drums new in 1977 I wasn't thinking I should buy all 4 drums and the bongos because down the road they may be worth more to someone. I bought them because they look great, they're built solid and they sound wonderful. Also, the person I bought them from has a set of Valjes and he went on to become a fine drum (kit) builder himself (Ray Ayotte - of Ayotte Drums). He tells me he still has his Valjes.

Kona

Sweet. Nice history.

I've taken the drums off the market pending a private sale.