Let me now a few words about Soviet drums.
During before WW2 there were very small drum's industry in Russia and further in USSR - most drummers used, as rule German LEFIMA. But also there was a musical factory in St.-Petersburg (later named - Petrograd, Leningrad and St.-Ptb again...), which produced wide line different instruments, include concert and marching drums and cymbals.
After the WW2 numerous musical instruments came to SU from Germany as a capture and reparation's goods.
Our whole country was almost completely destroyed and the time was not up to the production of musical instruments. However, despite the devastation, as early as 1947 had built a factory of musical instruments in the city named Engels on the Volga river.
In 1962 at this plant started a new product - full copy of Premier line 1958 - 1966, include hi-hat and ride stands, BD-pedal, cymbals and throne. All drum hoops were diecast. You can easily identify those drums and cymbals if you'll see their - its logo on stamp or label is "mermaid with the trumpet" . This label still is great subject for russian drummer's jokes...
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Factory got the new name - "ЭПОИМИ" : Experimental Music Instrument's Factory.
But all the hardware, stands bases and hoops were casted from the famous Zn-Al-Cu alloy - stands spures often broken, thread spoiled, chrom coating disappeared...
Soviet drummers, as a hunters, waited every new delivering of beautiful and hi-quality TROWA from GDR and some later - AMATI from Chechoslovakia.
Imported PREMIER'es were available only for big bands, as well as with acquaintance for a bribe...
After removing the Iron Curtain competition to the import brands has become very difficult. "EPOIMI" asap introduced new modification - steel stamping flanged hoops, swim-nuts in lugs, new all-steel stands, hi-hats and thrones generations.
But it was too late...
You can see a last version of "EPOIMI" set near 1996' below on the pics from russians buy-sell drumsites.