I'm sorry guys but $600 for a non-american set seems like a very bad deal to me. heck you can get a vintage Ludwig for less than that!

Ya know, for a mahogany set I would agree. These are very special drums, and they command a premium. I think the wood shell MIJ should cap at 250-300, if they are 100% complete, all hardware and cymbals. That is just the way I feel about it. I know I can buy Ludwigs cheap, I have a set I bought cheap. BNut guess what? Noone will buy them, and I sam giving them away, so don't tell me they are any better than my MIJ sets. If you feel that strongly, do me a favor, take these off my hands. Look at the possibilties offerded: a 13x14 mt that would convert super easy to a floor tom, and sound great, and the 12x13 could do the same. Also, I have a 16 floor tom, and noone wants it either because it is a Monroe badge, never mind it sounds like a cannon. We like our MIJ, and the American counterparts as well, we just keep our minds open. Tell you what, next week I will make some sound files of vintage American and MIJ drums, and you tell me what is what. $5 says you can't tell the difference. I do amazing work, and when I complete a restoration, my kits sound every bit as good as Luds. Argue all you want, I will prove it.

You might think so- but this kit in particular is fiberglass- not luan. Imagine those very early Fibes kits- they sell for this same bread. I agree- for a luan drumset- even I have a limit I will pay. I always, in my mind, compare any MIJ kit to what I would pay for a Ludwig CLub Date in decent condition. The MIJ needs to be considerably less than that figure to be a deal maker. Now, this President kit- these were only made a few years and I predict they`ll remain highly collectible. This model was Pearl`s attempt to make a fully competitive top-of-the-line kit. I think 650$ is not too overpriced, but 450-500$ is truly more fair as value. I think I jumped off that auction at around 450$ due to added shipping costs- I would have had to pay 650$- better to buy one here.

I have played a couple fiberglass President kits here in Osaka and they`ve got that fully professional sound with presence, tone and volume- I have a President 16x24" bass drum that is funny it`s sound is so deep and huge. Anyway, I AGREE that when it comes to wood drumsets it is ludicrous to pay too much for luan. I love the sound but it is nothing like a fine wood.

First off...by the 80's Ludwig was close to out of the game. I'm talking pre-70's Ludwig hear. I bet you will never get the tone of a vintage ludwig with a MIJ set. Guess why??? It wasn't made in america! America was at the top of it's game in the 50's -70's. Guys cared about the final product and didn't just throw stuff together. I see your opinion here....but, I guarantee most would agree with me on this.

[COLOR="DarkRed"]lt's the wrap more than the shell mat'l. Even a luan-shelled set of Tiger's Eye would fetch $500 with the snare included. Granted - Cletuss's did better than l expected by a good $75-100. But Tiger's Eye's unique - it isn't even available as a reproduction wrap today lf it had been a common wrap it wouldn't have topped $400-450.[/COLOR]

I agree- Tiger`s eye is pretty enchanting. But remember last week in Japan when a un-restored President kit in black oyster pearl wrap (with snare and some hardware) sold for 1100$..... These kits are the best Pearl had between 69 until around 77