Definitely ask him for more pictures. And better pictures. Also ask if there's any identifying marks inside the shells or on the badges.
Look like Imperialstars to me. Bearing edges can be re-cut. It looks like the bottom floor tom has both hoops/heads on it. An 18" perhaps. So the one above it, really seems like the only "dicey" drum (pictured anyways). Maybe ask the seller for some better pictures. $500 would be a steal, if they're in any kind of salvageable shape. Don't know your "feelings" on roto-toms ..... the chrome on chrome ones are the most desirable. If that's a vintage Imperialstar snare ..... those sell for $200+ alone. They're nice enough steel snares, but if it's not your cup of tea .... sell it off. I'd sell off the roto's and the snare ..... and any other misc. hardware I don't need ..... and you're looking at a $200-$300 Tama 80's rock double bass kit.
Right on thanks man this is just the advice i needed. I will check back in a few and post pics if it turns out to be a score. I found an 84 imperialstar kit at an antique store a couple weeks ago that didnt come with floor toms so ive been on the search ever since and this popped up.
Glad you got them. Congrats. I have a Royalstar kit, and its boat tail lugs are even more fragile than the Imperialstar lugs. Sell off what you don't need, and that'll not only lower your purchase price, but pay for replacement lugs and spares. 1 up, 2 down. Love it !!!
I have no idea maybe their age??? I gave everything a soap bath wd-40ed everything... Bass drum lugs had no problem. Seriously brittle broke right off the screw with one tiny tiny turn
Okay sounds like you did everything you could...Age can definitely make a difference and if they were never oiled then would be much more brittle for sure. Vintage lugs (and everything) as you know can be pricey...I recently paid $40 for two bare bones leg mounts...
They're notoriously fragile lugs, along with a number of other Tama lugs from that era.
