Does anyone know what years the Rims Purecussion Headsets were made and when they stopped? How much did they sell for new and what a set would be worth?
I recently picked up a set of them although I really like the space saving aspect of them and the toms sound excellent its just bass drum sound does not provide enough low end for me.
They are 100% working order and all original and I believe are the The first set put out by R.I.M.S. that used the PTS system of Pre Tuned heads.
Thanks!
Purecussion Drums were made from approx. 1988 to 1996. They had some great ideas, but in the end, the RIMS system of shell suspension hardware was a lot easier and more profitable, so the drum production was dropped. I own a complete kit from around 1995. I bought it new from Rupp's Drums in Denver, Colorado. I believe it listed for around $1100. It was a four piece with three toms and a bass drum. My kit had a two piece bass drum. There is another rim & head in front of the batter rim/head. This increases resonance but still is transportable. It all fits into the black bag. I have been playing this kit for over 15 years. People think it is a practice kit but are always amazed at how it "prints" or sounds on recordings. Sound men love it, too because they can mix it easily. The bass drum is a weak point though. It is better than a single but no one will mistake it for a shell/traditional bass shell. There is a short video of Neil Peart warming up on one on You Tube. I was considering selling it, but I've changed my mind. If I did sell it, I would want at least $1000. Currently, the older pre-tuned models aren't going for much. Maybe $200-300. I used my Purecussion for a video/TV session on KVRX Austin, Texas while performing with Old Gray Mule. Its also on VIMEO. By the way, my kit has tuneable heads. I have a World Am Purecussion-labeled 4" x 14" brass shell snare, too. This is not original. I got it on EBAY about 10 years after I bought the kit new. I will post pics soon as I think Purecussion deserves some love and documentation.
Joe Falco
drummer since 1975
Just seen a set of these in a pawn shop today here in Kansas City.I thought $300 was a little overkill.
I have a first edition set of rims that I am willing to sell you can contact me at [email]danestothers@yahoo.com[/email] thanks
sonically, they sounded exactly like rototoms
Among the many kits I own I have a set of later model Purecussions which used tuneable standard drum heads (not PTS heads) and a single bass drum head. I have found them to work quite well when I play in either totally acoustic situations or in low volume semi-electric situations. I usually use brushes or multi-rods but they will stand up to sticks.
The kick drum does not keep up as well with the toms (especially if you are using sticks) but with correct muffling (two 1" foam damping rings applied to the batter side and a small pillow resting against the front of the head) it sounds pretty good.
The advatanges of the Purecussion design are ease of portability as it all fits into a single drum bag (except for snare / stand, hi hat, throne and cymbals) and good repeatability of set up as hardware parts have clever memory locks.
I like it!
Previous to this kit I had constructed a kit made of 10", 12" and 14" Roto Toms with an 18" Roto Tom as the kick mounted in a custom frame. It had many good qualities but I do prefer the Purecussion.
Barry
I agree that the P.C. were pretty amazing for what they were!
I owned all 3 models from the HeadSet to the pre-tuned Pinstrips to the NE series (ANY drumhead).
Loved them,still have and use a 12 and 16 tom w/ a bassdrum, because as stated the PC bass was anemic,w/a D112,the bass great but un-mic'd,it sucked.
So I sold my bass off,wish I hadn't.
Fully mic'd,these kits talked,thru a P.A. they were monsters!
Recording wise,as stated,they were pure in tone,did several cd's w/ them!
They did not sound anything like a set of Roto-Toms,sorry but totally disagree there!
I liked them because they were unassuming and lots of people thought they were an electronic kit.
They kinda looked like a toy but I rocked them,way back Jojo Mayer had an ad for them and I did somewhat what he did,put them on a rack,ultra portable!
would like to find an NE series bass again!
My wife bought the HeadSet at Explorers in KC when it was a hole-in-the-wall shop for $400 new.
Came across a RIMS headset storage bag at local Goodwill. Didn't fit my custom shallow bass drum like I thought, so offering it here.
PERFECT condition. Looks like it was never used. Cloth lined, zipper works smoothly, includes carry strap and handles. $25 + shipping from Seattle area. Drop me an email.
