Pearl · Pearl wood fiberglass drum set · early 1970s to about 1979
Pearl's 1970s wood fiberglass kits put a 1/32-inch layer of fiberglass inside a nine-ply wood shell. The 1972 U.S. catalog, issued through distributor Chicago Musical Instrument Co., sold them as the Professional series under FW model numbers, and said the hard inner surface gave a quick response while the wood softened the tone slightly. Pearl's all-fiberglass kits were the Artist series in that catalog. In Japan the names ran the other way. The 1975 Japanese catalog calls this the fiber-wood shell and puts it on the Artist line. The 1972 FW-2 outfit had a 14 x 22 bass drum, 8 x 12 and 9 x 13 toms and a 16 x 16 floor tom, with rimshot counterhoops and an inner tone control in each tom, plus a chrome 5 x 14 metal snare. Pearl was still listing fiberglass-lined nine-ply wood shells in its 1979 U.S. catalog, and the shell lineup in its 1980 catalog no longer includes them. The lining is how you identify one. Look inside a shell for a smooth fiberglass surface over the wood, then check that every drum has it, because a set can be filled out with plain wood or all-fiberglass Pearls from the same years.
Inside the shellPearl wood fiberglass drum set
Pearl's 1972 U.S. catalog lists the Professional FW-1S and FW-2 outfits, and the 1979 U.S. catalog lists FW outfits beside the all-fiberglass F outfits. The 1980 catalog's shell page shows G and ET maple, W nine-ply wood, F fiberglass and PH phenolic shells, and no lined wood. A fiberglass-lined Pearl is most likely a 1970s drum.
Expect swapped or missing tom holders, extra holes from later mounts and tired coverings. Look closely at the lining at the bearing edges, where chips or lifting are easiest to see.
Buying guide
We'd buy the 1970s red sparkle shell pack, 13/16/22, at $775 delivered, since those are the 1972 FW-2 sizes minus the 12-inch tom. There are at least 2 fiberglass Pearls for sale and only that one states shipping, so the $775 band is one listing and isn't a market read. Both titles just say fiberglass, and Pearl sold all-fiberglass kits in the same years, so ask for a photo inside each shell and look for a smooth fiberglass lining over wood plies on every drum. The 16-piece kit has no shipping stated and would fill a lot of boxes, so get a freight quote first.
$775.00est. delivered
The lower-priced of the two, a 1970s red sparkle shell pack, 13/16/22, with $225 of its $775 delivered price in freight. It's shells only, so ask for inside-shell photos to confirm the fiberglass lining over wood.
1970s Pearl Fiberglass Drum Kit – Red Sparkle – 13/16/22 – Vintage Shell Pack
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$775.00est. delivered
$550.00 + $225.00 shipping
Buy It Now$550.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
1970s red sparkle shell pack, 13/16/22. Shells only.
Seller: ourvintagecollections
100% positive
Used$2,650.00+ shipping
$2,650.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$2,650.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Sixteen pieces plus Pearl hardware, titled Japan. Photo shows a white double-bass setup. Shipping not stated.
Seller: romaroma-94
99.6% positive
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