Restoring my old Export

[ridethemaverick]

I've let my Export get into a sorry state, and I want to restore it back to its former glory. I'm not sure what the actual Export year *is*. And I'm not good with the language/vocabulary of drum parts, but I'm trying to learn.




- It has a serial number on it. I know that doesn't do anything for identification, but does anyone know the last year Pearl put SNs on their sets?
- Snare has 8 lugs and "Pearl SS" on the bottom. (I assume this is a low-end steel snare?)
- It has eight lugs on the bass drum, front and back.
- The front side of the bass drum has has tension rods, but the back of the bass drum has wingnuts.


There's out of the eight lugs (I think that's what it's called) where tension rod just spins and spins and can never be tightened. (It's the one where the claw hook is missing.) HOWEVER, the wingnuts fit both sides perfectly, and I actually like them a lot better. Would it be okay to replace them?

Also, I have a two toms that are missing their tension rod inserts. Does the entire lug need to be replaced? (Is that even possible?)

[3pearlkits]

Hi, and welcome to the PDF

The lug on the bass drum that you have a problem with;!

It's a three piece hi tension lug, the middle section is held in place by the 2 outside sections. Hope that makes sense.
Undo the screws holding the outer part of the lug where you have the problem, and see if you need a new insert there.
The insert is what the tension rod tightens up on.
It could also be a broken plastic insert holder that means the insert is no longer sitting in the right place.
Might be a very easy and quick fix.
T rods or not, your decision, either is fine.

Take all the lugs off each drum one at a time for a more thorough clean of the outside, then replace after polishing the lugs.
Clean the wrap with non ammonia windex, then polish with a nice auto polish.

That kit needs new drum heads, top (batter) and bottom (reso, short for resonator).

Serial numbers are still used by Pearl. With your kit, those numbers are pretty much only good for identification for insurance purposes. It wasn't until the advent of the Reference (and Masters?) series that could get a build date from them.

If I'm right, the finish on your kit looks to be #71 Ferrari red, and if that's the case, your drums are from between 1988 and 1992.

Someone else might be able to chime in regarding the snare drum. I just don't have the export catalogues from the period to tell you exactly what it is, but I think it's an EX-614D snare drum...

[ridethemaverick]

If I'm right, the finish on your kit looks to be #71 Ferrari red, and if that's the case, your drums are from between 1988 and 1992.

That helped tremendously! These two sets are identical to mine, right down to the wings. Definitely no later than 1992.

https://www.pearldrummersforum.com/s...post1853962970

And it definitely not a 1988.
https://reverb.com/item/6544853-pear...88-ferrari-red

I've heard people call the wing rods ugly. I know there's a difference between being vintage and just being old. I may change to standard rods since I don't feel like spending the rest of my life scouring eBay. But darn it...I just like the way they look. But again...does it look vintage, or just plain old?

Thanks for your help and advice!

[3pearlkits]

I know there's a difference between being vintage and just being old. ...does it look vintage, or just plain old?

Ummm no, there's not a difference between vintage and old!
Vintage is a broad term defining objects that have a finite time frame elapse after their manufacture. General convention here at the PDF says, for drums, that's 25 years old or more. So, by that definition, your kit is vintage.
Another definition of vintage is "it's from the 60's or 70's". Based on that definition, your kit would never be vintage, which is wrong in my mind.

However, planning to change things on the kit alters collectability. The most desirable collectables criteria are original, complete and condition.
Change any of the three and reduce worth.

Seems you like the set. Restore it to original, clean it and polish it, care for it...