1975 Big Beat set

[sfarnam]

I'm trying to find out what my set might be worth. It is a 1975 Big Beat set with fiberglass shells. It has white marine pearl finish. No alterations.

[barjack]

It depends where you are in the world, what your local market is like, and how well you describe the drums if you decide to sell them. I bought a 13/14/16/22 kit, all original for $100 here in Portland. On the other hand, a fellow Fiberglass owner paid $700 for his and was happy as a clam.

[3pearlkits]

Hi sfarnam,
Welcome to the PDF and the vintage section

We'd love to see some piccies of your kit. It always helps when you're asking about worth...

[pearlygates]

Sounds like a great kit you have there.. Pix are a must.

[hwy 49]

Pics!

[sfarnam]

They've been cased up in the garage rafters for too long. I'll get em' down, set em' up, take some pics...and rock a little!!

[pearlygates]

gnarly

[makinao]

Pardon reviving a dead thread to avoid starting a new one.

I need more info on the Big Beat series. Were all of them fiberglass and wood? And what kind of wood?

I’m watching out for this one. It looks to be in fair condition, and it’s going for the equivalent of USD360 including shipping. I’m choosing between this, which is a 3 hour drive away, and an 1980s Recording Custom in good condition with A Zildjians 12 hours away for USD600 without shipping.

The Big beat: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...0276622516616/

The recording custom: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...6783993642137/

[MitchLyons]

Pardon reviving a dead thread to avoid starting a new one.

I need more info on the Big Beat series. Were all of them fiberglass and wood? And what kind of wood?

I’m watching out for this one. It looks to be in fair condition, and it’s going for the equivalent of USD360 including shipping. I’m choosing between this, which is a 3 hour drive away, and an 1980s Recording Custom in good condition with A Zildjians 12 hours away for USD600 without shipping.

The Big beat: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...0276622516616/

The recording custom: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...6783993642137/

I'd pick the Recording Customs any day.

[makinao]

I prefer the RC too. But it's so remote that the seller hasn't replied about shipping. I know a lot about RCs, but very little about Big Beats. So I'm asking about Big Beats in case the RC deal fails.

[3pearlkits]

What the seller is calling big beats looks to me to be a W5 kit from the late 70's
If so, it's 9 ply luan only, or "dynamic wood".

I would ask to get some internal pics of the shells to confirm they are actually fibreglass/wood.

Fibreglass/wood shells would be/are 9 ply luan with a couple of layers of fibreglass on the inside.

Luan, in case you don't know, is a universal name for a broad range of Asian based hardwoods, and is more commonly known as Philippine Mahogany in drums.

If they are indeed W5's, 360US I think is asking to much...