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Vintage 18" Premier bass?

Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

I stumbled across this on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-YAMAHA-BASS-DRUM-odd-size-14x19-/190769006801?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item2c6ab808d1

Seller thinks it is a Yamaha due to the mount, but it looks like a Premier to me, based on the lugs and "L" shape tension screws.

He also says it's a 19" but I suspect he is measuring across the hoops...

Old 18's are not too common!

Any Premier guys here?

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 11 Threads: 4

I would suspect thats a Premier drum with a Yamaha mount added later, probably from the early to mid 1960's.

Starting from the interior, it looks to be birch as the wood is a lighter shade in appearance. Also, it has the typical Premier interior reinforcing rings (standard name ecapes me at the moment) around the bearing edge.

Moving to the exterior, the lugs and L shape t rods with the ball on the end are most defenitly Premier. The the leg attachements are also Premier with the spring loaded "press and adjust" easy adjustment mechanism. Lastly, the muffler is also Premier. The adjustment knob is correct as is the actual muffler. It looks to be missing one on one side as there appears to be empty mounting holes and they usually cam with one on each side.

I would say its a 1963 or so.

Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Yup..looks like a Prem 18"...!

Too bad some moron got to it with a Yama mount. :-( electricitDOH

I have learned it is REALLY hard to get a 70's Prem kit with anything besides a 22" BD......seen some 24" and a 26" though...

I just got a 20" the other day..circa 1965.........so,maybe back then,20" were more common..

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 1465 Threads: 87

J!m - you looking to bid on that? It would work for a project I have been thinking about for a while using Premier parts. If you gonna bid, I'll keep looking for an 18" birch shell. Don't need the parts, just a good shell.

Besides, if that's rare, likely too much $$ for my project anyway.

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Nope! I'm not in it at all- just found it mis-labeled in the auction.

If you want an 18" premier bas drum, go for it! I bet it will sail under the radar because it is labeled as a Yamaha...

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 285 Threads: 11

It's obviously a Premier. The lugs and claws date it as no later than the mid 60s.

19" can't be correct. Was the pre-international era 20" a smidgeon smaller than the later edition? I had one, but I don't remember it being smaller in diameter because standard 20 heads fit fine.

I wonder if Premier even made an 18x14 in those days. I know they made an 18x12. I have an 18x12 with my 1969 set.

Ron

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
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