Arai drums (MIJ) - quick question

[ludwig402]

Which company made Arai drums? Or are they their own thing.

Thanks!

 

[Eric G]

Maybe a connection to Tama ??

 

[green glass drum]

Quick Web Search Results:
Arai drums in Japan were made by the company Hoshino Gakki, though the brand name "Arai" later evolved into the "Aria" brand. Shiro Arai was the founder of Arai & Co., Inc., which became Aria, and this company contracted with Hoshino to manufacture instruments for them.

 

[Drum Doctor Rx]

All the pics of Arai I see appear to be Hoshino Kougyou. None appear to be Star made which was parented by Hoshino Gakki. The two Hoshino's are different.

 

[ludwig402]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I will post a picture of the kit in question asap.

 

[ludwig402]

It may be a while before I can post a picture, but here's a link to a kit that matches exactly, except mine is blue sparkle with a 16 FT.
Same lugs, BD hoops, brackets, claws etc.

Arai 3pc 1970s Japanese Gold Sparkle Drum Set

Notes20 kick drum / 14 floor tom / 12 rack tomA Arai 3pc 1970s Japanese Gold Sparkle Drum Set in Very Good condition! At Evolution Music, we attempt to highlight cosmetic defects (if any) by picturing every angle of every piece of gear so you know exactly what you are getting. We always picture...

evolutionmusicstore.com

 

[Drum Doctor Rx]

It may be a while before I can post a picture, but here's a link to a kit that matches exactly, except mine is blue sparkle with a 16 FT.
Same lugs, BD hoops, brackets, claws etc.

Arai 3pc 1970s Japanese Gold Sparkle Drum Set

Notes20 kick drum / 14 floor tom / 12 rack tomA Arai 3pc 1970s Japanese Gold Sparkle Drum Set in Very Good condition! At Evolution Music, we attempt to highlight cosmetic defects (if any) by picturing every angle of every piece of gear so you know exactly what you are getting. We always picture...

evolutionmusicstore.com

Yep, Hoshino.

 

[ludwig402]

Thanks! What are some of the other brand names that were made by Kougyou? When you get a chance

 

[Drum Doctor Rx]

Thanks! What are some of the other brand names that were made by Kougyou? When you get a chance

Like the other stencil makers, there's loads of different badges. And also like the other makers, they made a bunch that are badged simply as, "Hoshino." There's so many it's kinda hard to keep track. And then when you think you've seen them all, another pops up. There's some badges that I've literally only seen once - specifically remember seeing a "Texas" badged floor tom? maybe a year or two ago - think that was Star made. Off the top of my head as far as H.K.: "Olympian, Baxter, and Crown (I think?).
The hardware is really what distinguishes who made what. What's really puzzling is when you see a certain badge that you know you've seen multiple times with the same Pearl (or whatever) lugs, and then you see that badge with... "Wait, what?! Those are Sakae lugs!" "US Mercury" and "Zim Gar" badged drums come to mind here. Small companies such as Bruno (out of San Antonio and couple other cities) contracted with the Japanese makers and had their badges put on. Often times, you'll see identical kits, one with a "Star" badge and the other with "Lido Supreme" or whatever.

 

[ludwig402]

Like the other stencil makers, there's loads of different badges. And also like the other makers, they made a bunch that are badged simply as, "Hoshino." There's so many it's kinda hard to keep track. And then when you think you've seen them all, another pops up. There's some badges that I've literally only seen once - specifically remember seeing a "Texas" badged floor tom? maybe a year or two ago - think that was Star made. Off the top of my head as far as H.K.: "Olympian, Baxter, and Crown (I think?).
The hardware is really what distinguishes who made what. What's really puzzling is when you see a certain badge that you know you've seen multiple times with the same Pearl (or whatever) lugs, and then you see that badge with... "Wait, what?! Those are Sakae lugs!" "US Mercury" and "Zim Gar" badged drums come to mind here. Small companies such as Bruno (out of San Antonio and couple other cities) contracted with the Japanese makers and had their badges put on. Often times, you'll see identical kits, one with a "Star" badge and the other with "Lido Supreme" or whatever.

Thank you for taking the time sir. Much appreciated!

 

[DrumBob]

Marc Patch's book is really one of the only reference points for these stencil drums. I wish the book had been larger and more in depth, but I guess he did the best he could under the circumstances. I have a book on MIJ guitars from the 60's and 70's that's loaded with information, interviews and color photos of the myriad guitars that were made in Japan. Somebody should do a book like that on MIJ drums.

Marc mentions that MIJ drums were made by three companies, and they occasionally shared hardware, which made things more confusing. As mentioned, the two Hoshinos were different companies, again causing confusion. There was another smaller company called Gracey that made drums. This red sparkle set of mine badged as Torodor was made by Gracey, according to Marc.

 

[ludwig402]

Marc Patch's book is really one of the only reference points for these stencil drums. I wish the book had been larger and more in depth, but I guess he did the best he could under the circumstances. I have a book on MIJ guitars from the 60's and 70's that's loaded with information, interviews and color photos of the myriad guitars that were made in Japan. Somebody should do a book like that on MIJ drums.

Marc mentions that MIJ drums were made by three companies, and they occasionally shared hardware, which made things more confusing. As mentioned, the two Hoshinos were different companies, again causing confusion. There was another smaller company called Gracey that made drums. This red sparkle set of mine badged as Torodor was made by Gracey, according to Marc.

Thanks for the reference Bob - I wasn't aware of the Marc Patch book.

 

[Black Cat 8]

Marc Patch's book is really one of the only reference points for these stencil drums. I wish the book had been larger and more in depth, but I guess he did the best he could under the circumstances. I have a book on MIJ guitars from the 60's and 70's that's loaded with information, interviews and color photos of the myriad guitars that were made in Japan. Somebody should do a book like that on MIJ drums.

Marc mentions that MIJ drums were made by three companies, and they occasionally shared hardware, which made things more confusing. As mentioned, the two Hoshinos were different companies, again causing confusion. There was another smaller company called Gracey that made drums. This red sparkle set of mine badged as Torodor was made by Gracey, according to Marc.

And Marc is a great person. He helped me out a few years ago. Responded to a question I had in 2 days and solved a mystery I had. We will probably really never know the complete story of the stencils.

 

[drummerjohn333]

It is my understanding that it has been determined that there were 4 or 5 (or more) Japanese companies making drums at that time. Marc has learned alot since he published that book. He has continued to learn and IMHO has emerged as the best expert we have in vintage MIJ.
On top of that he is a super nice guy, top shelf in integrity, compassionate, selflessness, etc.
Last I knew he was working on a much improved updated revised edition.