Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 137.08559%

Zim Gar

Posts: 1 Threads: 0

From mvp3986

Aloha from Ewa Beach, HI. My very first drum set was a white pearl four piece kit made by some little known company called "Zim Gar." It was of course nothing to speak of in terms of quality, but nonetheless, it was my first kit and I loved it at the age of 13. Has anyone ever heard of this company or even still have a drum kit from Zim Gar? Currently playing 40 years later and have a Roland V-Drum kit that I use for practicing, and a Fine Burgandy finish on my new Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute, that sound AWESOME that I gig with. Aloha for now and "stick" with it --- Mark

My first kit was little ZIm Gar kit as well. It was only a 4 piece. The base drum was maybe 16" and the snare was only about 10". It was probably some kind of a junior set. It has a single crash/ride and some cheesy 10" hi-hats that all sonded like pie plates. They had blue sparkle wrap on them and I played the hell out of them until I advanced to a new Walnut Slingerland kit I got one Christmas. I'll never for get it.

Posted on 13 years ago
#21
Posts: 4715 Threads: 299

From poprobot

Alright everybody... feast your eyes!Here's my mid '60's Zim Gar "downbeat" kit in abalone:(see more pics here)http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy360/zimgar/As I mentioned in a previous post - I am looking to sell this beauty soon - possibly in my garage sale (occurring in two weeks) but if I don't have any bites - I'll likely be posting an auction on eBay.So, this is your chance to make an offer I can't refuse or talk me out of getting rid of these gorgeous (and great sounding) drums!This isn't a "stock" kit - there are a few issues: The console rail mount on the kick is missing - as is the rack tom's mounting hardware and internal muffler. There are holes in the drums where the hardware once was.The rack tom at one time seems to have had the bottom lugs removed (probably in the 70's) and they were later replaced with a different brand - that don't match exactly... but very close.The metal bass drum hoops don't match - the insert on one is a "blue tiger" wrap - and the T-rods have been replaced with a different model (not sure which are the stock Zim Gar rods)The bottom bearing edges on the rack tom are pretty beat (probably because of that 70's trend of removing the bottom head) and the bottom bearing edge on the snare looks to have been repaired with wood filler at one time (maybe came from the factory this way?)The wrap is a little bit wrinkled here and there on the top of the kick and in some places on the rack. (Also, not at all noticeable from a short distance)The badges are missing from the kick and rack tom. But the vent hole grommets are intact.Overall, the chrome is pretty good, but there are definitely some tiny areas of rust and pitting here and there... to be expected from a 40+ year old kitI bought these drums from a music shop in Seattle in 1994 and played this kit in numerous rock and pop bands through the years (over a hundred shows!) but "retired" the kit in 2004 when I bought my 67 Ludwig set. I don't have any recent recordings of these drums... but I do have some old 4 track recordings from the 90's that I would share with any interested parties. They really do sound great! Punchy and warm with great tone (but not terribly loud compared to maple shells)What do you think?

Wow, I did not realize Star ever had anything to do with ZimGar. We have only seen them in Pearl guise. The true name of the color of tis wrap is Peacock Pearl. These are likely from 68-70, but still, we had no knowledge Star had ever built ZimGar.

"Ignorance may be overcome through education. Stupidity, however, is a lifelong endeavor." So, educate me, I don't likes bein' ignant...
"I enjoy restoring 60s Japanese "stencil" drums...I can actually afford them..."I rescue the worst of the old valueless drums for disadvantaged Children and gladly accept donations of parts, pieces and orphans, No cockroaches, please...
http://www.youtube.com/user/karstenboy
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee...16613138379603
Posted on 13 years ago
#22
Posts: 366 Threads: 75

I seen a blue sparkle Zim-Gar tom on the table of a coffee shop in San Marcos, CA. I was intrigued by it. I wonder what inspired the owner of the joint to use it, and I bet hardly anyone goes it there, see's it and wonders...

Posted on 11 years ago
#23
Posts: 2433 Threads: 483

Since the thread has re appeared i may as well ask....Any Zims currently for sale??

Hit like you mean it!!
Posted on 11 years ago
#24
Posts: 6432 Threads: 290

From kevmugen71

Heres the photos. (i know the lug bolt picture is terrible ;( but thats the best i could get without flash) it looks like a Z inside a diamond shape??

Those base drum t-rods and claws look like Fibes, are they?


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 11 years ago
#25
Posts: 802 Threads: 149

I still have my very first drum, a 1964 Zim Gar Blue Sparkle Snare Drum.

I cant play it at gigs because it goes out of tune after 10 minutes, but I dont care because I use my Trixon Telstars when I gig and the Trixon snare sounds unbelievably good.

Hard to believe that I got the Zim Gar snare in 1973, and this spring it will be our 40th anniversary. Going to have to restore it for the big 40.

Posted on 11 years ago
#26
Posts: 4 Threads: 0

I've had a Zim-Gar set since summer of 1996 and have gigged with them regularly, several hundred shows. I love them. I just got a new Gretsch kit but these will still be on most gigs. 12/14/20, all six lug drums. I have the snare too but it's worthless to play. I'll try to get some pics up this weekend.

Andy

Posted on 11 years ago
#27
Posts: 629 Threads: 227

A Zim-Gar tom tom and a snare were just posted on Ebay.That being said Zim-Gar drums come up on Ebay from time to time.V

58-Blue Diamond-Pearl Clubdates
65-WMP Clubdates
66-Green Sparkle Clubdates
67-Root Beer Clubdates
65-Cream tiger-stripe Pearl Presidents
60's Red Sparkle Artist LTD
60's yellow sparkle Trixon's
??'s Kingston-MIJ--3piece kit/Pearl snare
many vintage pedals,cymbals,parts,ect,ect
Posted on 11 years ago
#28
Posts: 4 Threads: 0

Here's a shot of the set I mentioned a while back. I'll try to add a few more. I wrote Harry Cangany about them shortly after I got them and he thought they were likely from Star/Tama. I actually had a second set in 20/13/16 that were pretty clearly Pearls. Anyway, here we go!

[IMG]http://www.tenpoundkitty.com/images/zg1.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 11 years ago
#29
Posts: 948 Threads: 48

I just found three matching Zim Gar shells

In what I believe to be called Root Beer Strata wrap

The partial kit has a 20" bass drum with rail consolette 12" ride tom

and matching 14" snare drum with no floor tom

two of these shells the bass and tom are missing heads hoops and rods

for reso side and the snare drum is missing batter side head hoop rods

butt, wires and throw.

the wraps while not pristine (some scratchs and scuffs) are tight to the shells and all three drums retain their square black and gold tin Zim Gar badges

The slingerland style lugs show some glazing and pitting which should clean up fairly well the rail and mount are both intact and should clean up well also I really like this Root beer strata wrap and would love to locate the missing floor tom ...Though the kit was offered in just the three piece config right from the factory ...still I won't be totally jazzed until I find a floor tom

3 attachments
family 147.jpg
119.1 kB
family 099.jpg
118.1 kB
family 144.jpg
88.7 kB
Posted on 11 years ago
#30
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here