Hey Guys
Just picked up a transition badge Pioneer in WMP today.
I was only able to play around with it for a few minutes before I had to leave the house but man is it cool! First impression is it is very mellow and not loud which is what I have been looking for.
I bought it from the original owner. The gentleman went with his Grandma to the music store to buy it for his birthday when he was in 5th grade. It has a few dings on the hardware but considering it is almost 60 years old and lasted him all through his school years it is in great original shape. The WMP has just a slight amount of yellowing. It has been sitting in the canvas carry case it was bought with for years. The WFL stand was also part of the original purchase.
It is stamped Sept 20th 1960 inside and also has 5X14 written in what looks like maybe chalk. Not sure as I did not take the heads off. The throw off is very positive and smooth. I think it is chrome hardware instead of nickle. A magnet does not stick to the top hoop. The magnet didn't stick to the bottom hoop on the flange away from the drum but did stick to the part of the hoop that covers the drum head collar. Weird, maybe the bottom head collar is steel and attracted the magnet through the hoop.
The gentleman said the heads are original. I do not know what head is on the batter. It has stripes in it and the logo is faded. The snare wires are original and in great shape.
More to come as I play it and look it over more.