Old drum kits to look out for?

[Hashbrown]

Hey,

I would like to know if there is a rule of thumb or anything when looking at old drum kits to see if they are "vintage" or worth the purchase.

Like: "you can't go wrong with anything made by (insert company) before 19??

I always see kits that look like they could be great, with a bit of TLC, but how do i tell if they would be worth it?
After buying it, re-skinning it, some new hardware in places etc.

I know what to look for in a guitar or amp, but it's been a while since i was into drums.

Thanks.
Jon

[Radioking]

If you are looking for an investment only buy drums that are in mint or very good condition. Scratches, scrapes to coverings and hardware and extra holes drilled through the years will always devalue vintage drums.

If on the other hand you just want to use the drums you can pick up some great bargains that are a bit scuffed or faded. For example, I have an Old 8x14 Radioking that is a faded silver sparkle (now referred to as ginger ale sparkle). Looks horrible but sounds great and has paid for itself many times over ($175 in 96).

Andy

[Rolf Fiesel]

try this thread..there are just miles and miles of stuff

Vintage Drums site

[Dr. Mordo]

Generally speaking, American made will be worth more (with the exception of Sonor and Premier, which were pretty nice drums from the start). Older foreign drums are usually lower quality, to include all 60s and older Japanese drums I have ever seen.

A scratched up vintage kit could easily be worth buying as an investment if you get it for cheap. Paying top dollar for an old kit is where it needs to be in good shape. I recently bought a 60s Slingerland kit (sizes 13/16/20) for $30 at a flea market. The hardware was rusted and the wrap was torn on the floor tom. But the shells looked round, and when I got it home and tuned up it sounds great. It'll be my gigging kit, but I've actually recorded it once or twice also. I have a friend who got a 3 piece 60s Sonor (13/16/20) kit for $65 with a bunch of off brand hardware, and then he later bought a 3 piece 70s Sonor Lucite kit (13/16/24) for $300 with Sonor hardware.

You just have to always have feelers out for good deals, and you'll find them eventually.

[AllAboutTone]

I have been using Sonor for since 1995 as a house kit, would not change for anything.

[girlthatdrums]

I wouldn't worry about the brand or look so much as the sound. Try to buy locally if at all possible. A lot of it has to do with how the kit has been taken care of over the years.

Older drums prior to mid 70s have alot of variations in roundness. It's possible you'd get a factory kit and everything sounds like a dream except for one drum -and it's a factory matched kit.

All of the drum makers had inconsistencies throughout the years before "modern" shell making technology.

In general, any well kept vintage Gretsch kit will be worth it's weight in sound and looks.

Ludwig kits in the "pre-serial" days (ie, 1960-63ish) are more desirable as they were pre-Ringo phase when Ludwig started pumping kits out and some suffered some quality control. They also tend to sport chrome over brass hardware. The early 70s clear maple 3 ply re-ring shells are also desirable.

I don't have a lot of experience with Slingerland or Rogers to offer any advice there.

With any vintage kit though, check the fit of the head. Is it way too snug or fits unevenly? The shell is out of round and will be difficult to tune.

Did the person play it without bottom heads or without a front reso head? Chances are the bearing edges are in rough shape and shell may have gone out of round.

If it's a shell with a reinforcement ring, has it separated from the shell at all? If so, it was improperly stored (humid, too cold, etc.) and the shell could have suffered some damage.