In the market for a vintage kit....

[Sonichead]

I've recently been looking for a vintage kit (primarily Ludwig or Gretsch). I have found an early 70's Gretsch Stop Sign Badge kit that I'm interested in. Sizes are 8"x12", 14"x14", 14"x20". Perhaps a little smaller than I was originally thinking, but the kit is in very nice shape....a little bit of wear, but overall nice.

I was hoping some of you might be able to help my out with determining what the value of this kit might be....my first time buying a vintage kit. Any help would be much appreciated.

[biggator6]

I'm no Gretsch expert, but in general - 14" floor toms are worth quite a bit more than the more common 16" in vintage kits.

[candidate]

Cost for those three drums? Pay about $450 - 550. No way they are worth more than $700.

But at the same price you may find exactly what you're looking for elsewhere. Unless you have the kit Ringo played on Ed Sullivan, vintage drums do not appreciate in value.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by candidate

Cost for those three drums? Pay about $450 - 550. No way they are worth more than $700.

The Jasper shelled Gretsch kits are highly sought after, the 'stop sign' badged ones second only to the Round Badge. I've seen the 12" toms selling for $300 alone. 14 x 14" toms are quite rare and again, sought after.

Unless you have the kit Ringo played on Ed Sullivan, vintage drums do not appreciate in value.

Gretsch in particular have been going up in value consistently for years.

[relayer]

I've been looking extensively at vintage drums (snares mostly) and I vehemently disagree that quality drums don't appreciate in value. A guy on ebay just sold a Premier Genista kit for $1900, and this was without a snare or hardware. Slingerland, Ludwig, Gretsch, Camco, Rogers et al, all fetch top dollar. I just bought a grouping of mint condition vintage snares from a guy in Ocilla, GA (middle-of-nowhere) at $300 a pop.

Anyway, check the Craig's lists of various cities. My first kit was a Ludwig Blue Oyster Ringo kit. I traded it for a set of North drums. What a dope.

Good luck.

Steve

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by relayer

first kit was a Ludwig Blue Oyster Ringo kit. I traded it for a set of North drums.

Classic.

I basically gave away my first good kit (coincidentally SSB Gretsch).
I thought a contemporary Pearl would be better.

[biggator6]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Classic.

I basically gave away my first good kit (coincidentally SSB Gretsch).
I thought a contemporary Pearl would be better.

..and I sold my first kit - a wine-red ripple Rogers holiday.. for like $125.

I eventually replaced that one.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by candidate

Cost for those three drums? Pay about $450 - 550. No way they are worth more than $700.

I'd certainly buy them for that amount, although I'd have to be lucky to find them for so little.

Originally Posted by candidate

But at the same price you may find exactly what you're looking for elsewhere. Unless you have the kit Ringo played on Ed Sullivan, vintage drums do not appreciate in value.

Maybe you live in a magical hamlet where things don't work the way they do in the rest of the world, but vintage kits (especially Gretsch) have only increased in value in the last 10-15 years.

[biggator6]

Originally Posted by Jax

I'd certainly buy them for that amount, although I'd have to be lucky to find them for so little.





Maybe you live in a magical hamlet where things don't work the way they do in the rest of the world, but vintage kits (especially Gretsch) have only increased in value in the last 10-15 years.

Absolutely. They're increase is certainly less than, say, vintage guitars... but still. Vintage drums are a bargain by vintage instrument standards.. but definitely not DEcreasing in value.

[suedesound]

i'm no gretsch expert by any means but i found my 63 slingerland for $350 when i was on tour (it did need some work and i dropped a couple hundred more restoring it). i sold off my set of first run new fibes kit that i got for $800 to keep the slings when i moved. around the same time i got an earlier 60's sling kit from a friend for $40 although the kick had water damage/warping. curious about the rare 14" floor thing because i sold that kit to a friend for $150, couldn't bring myself to charge more with what i paid for it. happy purchases and regrets....

[chrisso]

The 14" floor is far from rare, it's just very desirable (having jazzer qudos) and less common than the 16".

Yeah, old kits can be very cheap, but not easy to find for the prices you quote in my experience.
Gretsch were/are an absolute studio workhorse, which is why used Gretsch demands higher prices than many other used kits.

[suedesound]

i don't think my luck with finding kits is common place by any means. i've somehow been lucky to find great deals and have the money to buy it cash at the time. the $40 kit was a friend that inhereted it from his dad, had it sitting in his garage for years. i was more than willing to write a check or run to an atm but he asked what i had in my wallet which was $42, he said that was fine. best drum purchase ever.

[chrisso]

Yep, you sound lucky in yourself and lucky where you live.
I've never come across a remotely playable kit for $40.
I've spent time in America and the gear scene is extremely affordable.
Anything remotely 'vintage' in Europe has a premium price tag, and you would struggle to find anything playable, let alone good sounding under $500.

[relayer]

You can find a fair amount of vintage kits at Guitar Center: Musical Instruments - Guitars, Bass, Drums, Amps & DJ They're not cheap, but they have some very cool stuff. They've got a '20s Black Beauty for $3K. You can't imagine how tempted I am.

Steve

[chrisso]

It depends on the dimensions and condition, but prices have dipped on 20's BB's.

[suedesound]

i've had the pleasure of playing some bb's, not mine but at studios. i doubt i would ever pay $3k for a snare unless i won the lottery. i hit drums hard, i bent my sling rim from rimshots. i love vintage drums but i aint gonna treat em like babies.

[chrisso]

I had a new top rim on mine for a few years. Kept the original tucked away.
Actually, that drum can take an amazing amount of punishment, especially when you think how it was probably played back in the 1920's.

[suedesound]

somewhat related question (sorry if i'm hijacking but it seems like no one checks this forum often). does anyone know of a current company making rims like the 60's slingerlands? i much prefer them and would like to put them on another kit i just picked up.