Well it's all about distance, I reckon. Two blocks could be OK. We once lived in an apartment overlooking the beach. I loved it. But my wife always says "remember what happened to your studio?" She is referring to the rusted screws on the mixing console; the death of the Kurzweil, etc etc. But I think you could look after drums. You'd have to be really vigilant though. Everything to do with the beach is wonderful but it does mean more maintenance, imo. $00.02.

Salt air and drums= alot of cleaning the chrome parts on the drums.I have a friend who lives right at Newport pier about 12 houses down on the right side his yard is right next to the walk way down the beach.He never does keep his drums at his house..Mikey

I've seen what salt air does to aluminum on Air Conditioners and have bought drums close to the beach, I'm with Mikey. Keep 'em away from the ocean. If you do have them home, use a cleaner that has an compound to it that keeps away the corrisiveness of the salt air.

That's kind of what I thought. If I pull the string on this, I'll probably keep the POS practice kit there (not listed below) and make alternate arrangements for the good stuff.

I live in Nova Scotia, the wind is redolent with salt, the icy roads are sometimes salted, etc.

I cannot say I have noticed any particular effect that being close to the ocean has had on my drums. The 65 Supra is only modestly flakey, the lugs on my kits are in pretty good kip, in most cases only showing the sort of wear typical of drums that have been played for a few dozen years. Nothing that stands out from drums owned by some of our inland friends.

Regular cleaning and lube, I think you will be fine.

We lived 4 blocks from the beach for 25+ years. "Beach air" will eventually destroy bare aluminum, brass and even nickle plating, if not maintained. I gave my Ludwig Hollywood kit a thorough cleaning every couple years (it was only being used once or twice a year) and put a good coat of car polish on everything...it still looks great today. I gave no special attention to my cymbals other than wiping them off; they just have that nice cymbal patina. The kit was always kept in hard cases. Everything else that was in the house, brass lamps, etc. was ruined.

I agree with Mikey 100%! I've been lucky to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico about forty times in the past (right on the Pacific). I always enjoy visiting the music stores but, have also noticed that the chrome on any drum set is in very bad shape even for relatively new drums. Granted, I don't think the drums are maintained as well as they could be but, I honestly feel that the salt air has a lot to do with condition. Perhaps with regular cleaning and polishing as well as employing a good wax (I really like Meguire's Deep Crystal Carnauba), you'll be okay. All the best, sir.

Brian

I did some additional research by googling "salt air corrosion." This site makes some good points, but there's still not a lot of agreement.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/210964-preventing-corrosion-salt-air-environment.html

i bought a 70's supra off a guy in the keys when i got it every part that was steel was rusted and the inside of drum was oxidized but i cleaned it up sold it over seas for 175 and 175 shipping paid a yard for it...

but i worked down there for a while and brought my hog, every night i had to clean and wax the bike, DONT USE WINDEX THE AMMONIA GREENS UP THE CHROME the salt air permeates every thing , i use to jam every sunday night at a sea side bar in a cove in isle marathon,( real nice fish fry on fri.) the drummer had a tama kit it seamed to hold up alright ,dont forget there supposed to b all weather, i just love the ocean good luck must be nice to live 2 blocks away " keys disease conch republic all the way"