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Premier kit Last viewed: 2 days ago

Posts: 449 Threads: 81

Today I went to look at an old cymbal and ended up picking up an old Premier kit instead.

I have never even seen an old Premier kit in person but figured I might fix it up and keep it, or flip it in the worst case which is the way I am leaning as I have too many kits as is.

I have no idea which series it is. I am guessing it is from the 60's since it has the straight rod type bass spurs.

I think it would look great rewrapped in red sparkle or a flame type finish.

The sizes:

12x8

16x15

22x14

The head sizes came in about 1/8" under the sizes listed above so I would not expect any head sizing issues.

Here's the skinny:

It has been rewrapped and some of it is raised in places. I think it can be removed without a ton of effort hopefully. It is base wood that looks sort of reddish in color. I assume that it is African Mahogany with beech reinforcements rings from what I can tell.

It is missing the reso heads and tension rods for all 3 drums.

The tom arm is complete as far as I can tell except it is missing some sort of wing nut to keep it in place where it goes into the bass drum. Maybe there is more to it than that, but I don't know. The tom arm doesn't perfectly fit into the hole as there is some wiggle room, but I assume some sort of wing nut would fit into the grooved slot on the arm and keep it in place?!?

There is no wing nut type thing to hold the tom in place on the arm, but all of the slotted screws are in place on the arm itself.

The rubber feet are missing from the FT legs and bass drum rods/spurs.

The chrome hoops and FT legs are in pretty good shape. The FT mounts have some scratches/acne as do the bass claws.

Am I better off selling it as-is and letting someone else enjoy the process to find the missing pieces? If so, what is it worth?

Any idea where I can find the missing pieces -- 12" & 16" die cast hoops; tension rods for 12 and 16" toms; claws and tenion rods for the bass; 2 missing wing nuts for the bass and tom arm set up; rubber feet for floor toms and bass spurs/rods?

Edit: --It is also missing a tom mount and arm. I had my daughter clean the bass and I didn't notice the holes for the 2nd tom mount until just now.

Thanks!

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

That is a '70s Premier badge.

Are the lugs for the floor tom still with the kit?

I have a real soft spot for Premiers...

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 10 Threads: 1

From ConvertedLudwigPLayer

Today I went to look at an old cymbal and ended up picking up an old Premier kit instead.I have never even seen an old Premier kit in person but figured I might fix it up and keep it, or flip it in the worst case which is the way I am leaning as I have too many kits as is.I have no idea which series it is. I am guessing it is from the 60's since it has the straight rod type bass spurs.I think it would look great rewrapped in red sparkle or a flame type finish.The sizes:12x816x1522x14The head sizes came in about 1/8" under the sizes listed above so I would not expect any head sizing issues.Here's the skinny:It has been rewrapped and some of it is raised in places. I think it can be removed without a ton of effort hopefully. It is base wood that looks sort of reddish in color. I assume that it is African Mahogany with beech reinforcements rings from what I can tell.It is missing the reso heads and tension rods for all 3 drums.The tom arm is complete as far as I can tell except it is missing some sort of wing nut to keep it in place where it goes into the bass drum. Maybe there is more to it than that, but I don't know. The tom arm doesn't perfectly fit into the hole as there is some wiggle room, but I assume some sort of wing nut would fit into the grooved slot on the arm and keep it in place?!?There is no wing nut type thing to hold the tom in place on the arm, but all of the slotted screws are in place on the arm itself.The rubber feet are missing from the FT legs and bass drum rods/spurs.The chrome hoops and FT legs are in pretty good shape. The FT mounts have some scratches/acne as do the bass claws.Am I better off selling it as-is and letting someone else enjoy the process to find the missing pieces? If so, what is it worth?Any idea where I can find the missing pieces -- 12" & 16" die cast hoops; tension rods for 12 and 16" toms; claws and tenion rods for the bass; 2 missing wing nuts for the bass and tom arm set up; rubber feet for floor toms and bass spurs/rods?Thanks!

These parts are readily available in uk for not much money and a lot of guys will ship try www.sunderlandmusic.co.uk Willie usually has laods of vintage spares - beware on head size it could be early imperial sizes check whether standard heads fit in them, from memory they don't!! A full set of bass drum claws and rods would set you back about $35 a 16" cast hoop about $25

There are some on ebay.co.uk now - beware of the difference between imperial size and standard size if a standard us remo head will not fit they will be the imperial size heads are a bit harder to come by. It looks like and early 70's because of the single headed floor tom So unlikely to imperial hope this helps.

Good/mint vintage premier kits sell for about $1000-1500

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

Thanks for the replies Bunnyman and ThunderBox. I really appreciate it!!!

It is missing the the bottom tension rods, hoop and lugs unfortunately for both toms. The bass is missing the hoop, claws and tension rods.

Thunderbox - if I were to rewrap this kit into a period style wrap and find the missing parts, do you think it would be worth $1000-1500, or does that apply to all original wrapped kits only? And is the amount you mentioned in US dollars?

How much is the kit worth in its present condition?

Which wrap would you recommend to provide the most value? Or does it matter since it would be a rewrap anyway?

Thanks!!!

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

You will not find material suitable for re-wrapping like an original Premier kit. Don't mean to burst your bubble, but that price only applies to an A-OK PERFECT kit!!!! Look on e bay- nobody's even getting $1500 for a decent Resonator kit, and they were SUPER expensive!!!! Double bass kits in pretty good nick are languishing at $800 opening bid. I have seen the same Black Shadow kit waiting for a buyer @ $800 on ebay!!!!

You would have to go far and above what you have going for $1500.

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

Bunnyman,

Thanks for the scoop. As I mentioned I am not very knowledgable about Premier kits.

Any ideas what it is worth as-is?

I've always been told that old Premiers sound great, but never had a chance to sit behind one. Do you have one of these kits? I assume the coated over clear Ambassadors would sound great on it.

I just edited my original post to include that it is has holes, but no hardware for a 2nd tom.

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

From ConvertedLudwigPLayer

Bunnyman,Thanks for the scoop. As I mentioned I am not very knowledgable about Premier kits.Any ideas what it is worth as-is?I've always been told that old Premiers sound great, but never had a chance to sit behind one. Do you have one of these kits? I assume the coated over clear Ambassadors would sound great on it.

I have a kit similar to this one. I decline to give a full-on value, as I am somewhat interested and I want you to get a fair price!!!! I like Coated Evans G2 with a light-to-medium weight reso head on Premiers from this era; however, single headed Premiers need Everplays or a medium weight head.

Premiers sound great. I don't know if it's the bearing edge, the wood combinations or what it is, but I LOOOOOOVE Premiers.

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

Fair enough Bunnyman. As I said I am leaning towards selling it, so feel free to hit me with an offer you think is fair if you'd like.

I am in Leesburg, VA, so figure shipping would run around $80-100 I would guess.

PLease be sure to read my post above your last one, as I saw that there are holes for a 2nd tom mount, but no hardware. I had my daughter clean it up and totally overlooked that little detail.

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 1829 Threads: 86

You're DEFINITELY better off selling it as-is. Unless you have stupid money in it (which I imagine you don't), that is. I paid $45 + shipping for a kick with original wrap but missing reso hoop, $50 for a rack tom with all of it's bits and original wrap, and around $75 for a floor tom with all of it's bits. But 16" Premier floor toms with all of their bits go for roughly $120-200 (if it's perfect with original wrap). I have paid as low as $120 for a basket-case five piece Powerhouse kit (different lugs, but same wood). Yours is definitely NOT a basket case, but closer to a basket case than a mint kit. Keep that in mind...

Parts are not that easy to get, but not impossible, either. The guys selling parts are making the $$$ off of us who need them.

If you're comfortable, PM me with an offer. I may even make you smile...

:)

Yeah- I'm THAT guy!!!

Dead dogs like rusty fire hydrants!!!
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 449 Threads: 81

Bunnyman,

Let me chew on it a bit to see what I would sell it for.

Thanks.

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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