PressRoll, I was able to speak to my friend Mark who is now the current owner of Eames. Mark was good friends with Ralph and Joe and when Joe retired recently, Mark bought the company. I was able to message him as we have been out of contact for a while and I sent him the pics you posted as well as the info you gave. This is the response I got from him: [COLOR="DarkGreen"] Based on the paper badge, that drum is definitely an Eames built in the Bicentennial year 1976. It's probable that Joe helped build some aspects of the drum since Ralph had Joe and 3 other employees working with him at that time but the drum would be attributed to Ralph overall. I think you're right about Joe possibly repairing the drum in the 1990's. Joe bought Eames in 1978 and though he kept the last name, he did not continue using Ralph's first name to my knowledge... Certainly not into the 90's. Also he would have dated it the year it was made. I hope that's helpful. Nice pic. Thanks for sending it my way.[/COLOR]Hope this helps and good luck with the drum!
Wflkurt - that was a pic of MY paper label as an example for PressRoll to look for! Sorry for any confusion. On a side note, I have a matching bass drum that I purchased w my snare.
Jeff
