Btw the wasn't the Pearl export always made in Taiwan? Hence the name "Export" ?
From what I understand, the first exports were MIJ.
Then the Maxwin line became "exports" and production was shifted to Pearl's factory in China.
The name "EXPORT" was used because the drums were NOT made for the domestic Japanese market hence the name export.
At the time, items marked "export" were deemed inferior by the Japanese.
Oh, heck no... You're right! If the Camco folks (or George Way for that matter) had been any good at marketing, there would be no Camco mystique. Camco's are fine drums, but honestly no better than many of their contemporaries of the day... and I have a Camco kit.
As far as the second bold, about kids lusting over something. You've nailed it. When I owned the antique clock shop for most of the 70's, I'd say 30% of my sales were due to the 'Grandma had one just like that' syndrome. Many of you know that I'm also a Ham radio guy, and folks my age buy radio gear manufactured when they were kids like it's the magic elixir of youth.
The oddity thing does apply. Cars like the Corvair, Edsel, and DeLorean have value because of their oddness and rarity.This next line may get me banished from the forum.Although their drums are of great quality, I would wager that the value of Camco drums has largely to do with the rarity of these drums. There were many other quality drums made during the time Camco was around, I'd say Camco sets in the same configuration and condition will nearly always fetch more money than their Ludwig, Slingerland, Gretsch, and Rogers counterparts, is there anything that makes them bounds better than the others?How about trixon? I'd say the oddity thing is in full effect here.If there are kids lusting over Yamaha maple customs that can't afford them today, then yes some day people will want them.Btw the wasn't the Pearl export always made in Taiwan? Hence the name "Export" ?
Hey McDrummer, those drums will be vintage.
The Maple Custom line came out with the hopes of becoming the new 'top dog' for Yamaha, trying to push the Recording Custom off the hill. They cost more when new as compared to same size recording Custom drums. The finishes were nicer too- gold plated lugs were used on a lot of the drums. Burst finishes and awesome stain colors were available on the Maples not on the RC line (yes, I was jealous as nice as my cobalt blue is... :( ) Now the Phoenix (PHX) line is the big dog...
But, here's the rub: The Maple Customs came in specific sizes only; whereas the recording customs came in 'standard' depth as well as "power" series and "force" series, which were the deeper "metal" toms (that I loathe). [side bar- the serial number will have 9XXRC for standard toms and 9XXRF or 9XXRP for the deeper ones, with the 'XX' indicating the diameter] So, in '93 when I bought my kit, I was able to get standard depth toms when no one else offered them (other than a full custom or DW at the time). I recently learned the drums were actually manufactured between 1980 and 1989, so they were old when I bought them! Maybe they're vintage now?
You have a GREAT set of drums there, and they will get better with age, as Maple does. Enjoy them, and don't worry about if they will be classic, vintage, antique, collectible, or not...
I think what a lot of people miss about Yamaha drums is that the top drums, although beautiful to see and even more so to hear, they really are 'tools' rather than art objects. Although with the PHX and other lines these days that is not so often the case, but even their cheapest lines of drums are perfectly round, have good bearing edges and with US made heads, they sound great. That's the bottom line isn't it???:)
Hey McDrummer, those drums will be vintage.You have a GREAT set of drums there, and they will get better with age, as Maple does. Enjoy them, and don't worry about if they will be classic, vintage, antique, collectible, or not... I think what a lot of people miss about Yamaha drums is that the top drums, although beautiful to see and even more so to hear, they really are 'tools' rather than art objects. Although with the PHX and other lines these days that is not so often the case, but even their cheapest lines of drums are perfectly round, have good bearing edges and with US made heads, they sound great. That's the bottom line isn't it???:)
That's great to hear, I certainly think so. I love the way they sound and I gig with them from time to time and get a lot of good feedback on the sound and sight of them. I obviously don't bring the whole set, I have 3 bass drums 18, 20 and 22 and bring the configuration that is appropriate for the gig.
I was just wondering if this investment was going to appreciate with time or depreciate based on value assigned to drums when they become "vintage" not that I have any plans of selling them.
The short answer, if they are "Made in Japan" Yamahas, is.................
Yes, but it will be far in the future.
keep in mind, there is vintage, dime a dozen and then there's vintage/valuable/sought after.
Some vintage drums that "should" be worth alot, are not for what ever reason.
Some vintage drums shouldn't necessarily be worth alot, but they are because they are very rare.
Man, you wrote that in a public forum?! Mind BlowiLaughing H I would suggest sticking to "attractive".
Thankfully she wants nothing to do with anything drum related so she'll never see my post. She barely tolerates me and my drumming obsession. And yes she is attractive even after being married to a drummer for 30 years!!
