THE STAINLESS STEEL KIT

Although Asba produced some superb drums in wood and acrylic, it is probably the stainless steel kits that generated the most interest in the 1970s. Asba launched their stainless steel kit years before Ludwig and, although the Ludwig brand had a greater profile, the innovation belonged to Asba. (The similarities with acrylic drums is notable; Zickos innovated and Ludwig took the idea to a mass market).

This kit came onto the market in January 2004 courtesy of UK dealer Andy Bronson. The kit seems to have spent most of it's life in the back room of a music shop in Kent, England. Andy rescued the kit and, underneath years of grease and grime, was an almost mint example of the Asba stainless steel line. The kit was extended during 2004 with the purchase of a second bass drum and some more toms.

The kit now has two 22 inch bass drums, 8 and 10 inch power toms, 12, 13 and 14 inch rack toms and 16 and 18 inch floor toms. A pair of timbales were also located for sale - one is 14 inches in diameter and the other is something 11 and 12 inches. The stainless steel snare drum is 6.5 inches deep and it weighs a ton! The kit had a number of the original Remo ambassador heads (with Asba logo) including the bass drum resonant head with the later "circle" logo. This logo dates the kit to approximately 1978.

Like all stainless steel kits these drums are incredibly bright and very loud. They are also very heavy and not for the feint-hearted!