The project I have been working on is not going to cover ALL of the hardware changes or shell changes. However, it does try to link some of the major changes to serial numbers ranges or date ranges. The switch from three to six ply shells has roughly been linked to the 163XXXX - 164XXXX serial number range. I welcome more reports of 3 ply drums with high serial numbers and 6 ply drums with low serial numbers to improve this estimate. Based upon the preliminary conclusions, gonedrum's 1760XXX serial numbers are a ways outside of the typical range. I would add that I would not ascribe a 1979 date to these drums but suggest that they are likely from the 1978 time frame. This would fit with K.O.'s timing of 1978 as the year that the shells were switched over. Also, the 965XXX serial number range is not likely from 1976, but probably several years earlier. One of the deficiencies of Rob Cook's date guide is that is is not based upon very many drums. It skips several years and then seems to put too many serial numbers in 1976. I will be presenting an improvement to the dating guides very soon.

[Attachment: 65193]These 3-ply, pointy B&O badged Pro Beats have serials in the 1,77X,XXX range.

Unless I completely missed something, the serial number range of 965xxx should put this kit in 1971. I say this as I have a factory matched Super Classic with the following serial numbers...769027 14x22 Shell stamp: JUN 3 1970812168 5x14 Shell stamp: NOV 13 1970823949 9x13 Shell stamp: NOV 9 1970900260 16x16 Blue/Olive label: 60717 - No shell stamp, but most likely early 1971Hope this helps!Mark

@ KCDrumDad: sorry if all hardware looks like overselling the work. It was shorthand for "not just serial numbers in isolation but presented as much as data permits with other hardware changes"...or something like that.

Looks like a typo in that last one "60717". The only badge I can see in your pic is the one you specifically say is a Blue/Olive. Can you say what the other badges are? Keystone? Blue/Olive?@ KCDrumDad: sorry if all hardware looks like overselling the work. It was shorthand for "not just serial numbers in isolation but presented as much as data permits with other hardware changes"...or something like that.

Hey zenstat!You read it correctly... 60717 on a Blue/Olive sticker on the inside of the shell. Allot of controversy on these stickers with stamped "dates" as to deciphering them.As to the drums, all have B/O badges. The kit is a stunner, studio ready... but I don't play them! They just sit around in cases at my girlfriend's house!Mark