Very, very nice. I like the way the aqua satin kit matches your couch and artwork. It should probably stay in that room as a decor piece.

While it is understood that incorrect hardware lessens the value of a vintage kit, it is still rather funny to me that horrible and nearly unusable "correct" hardware is more valuable than higher quality, period correct hardware. I understand why, I just think it is funny. I have a friend with a late 60's Ludwig keystone kit that was custom ordered with Memorilok hardware. Certainly an upgrade from what he would have had with Ludwig hardware, but still not really valuable to a collector now. In reality we had to use those drums back in the day so installing hardware that worked day in and day out was far more important than collectibility 40 years later.

Interesting point, but I'd be really happy to get some Camcos or other makes that were factory equipped with Swivomatic in the day (like the drums Dennis Wilson used).

I've had Gretsch from Jack's Drum Shop in Boston that were fitted from day one with Setomatic. A great improvement over rail, and if done without the rail ever having been installed, it is even more valuable to me than with the rail.

But most of the time the rail came off and the other mount was added. So those xtra holes seem invariably to mean holes in your pocket too!

Ps - Artwork is my wife's. www.cathieboucher.com

Thanks for the kind comment.

She's been angling for floor tom end tables for years, but I haven't given in yet.

Totally! Check out: BEACH BOYS California Girls 1965 The Camco set looks like they just removed them from the boxes and fitted with a swivo tom mount. It's on YouTube with Jack Benny and Bob Hope

Yes, and if you look carefully at the lost 1964 concert flic on the Tube, you Gretsch guys with see what appears to be 20,12,12,16,16 with all swivo hardware and stands!

Great looking collection of vintage American-made drums! I should post pictures of my 3 kits; Ludwig, Rogers and Slingerland.

I totally understand about the hardware issue. Very true that, back in the day, we didn't worry about keeping our drums factory original. We just needed to install hardware that worked. And, let's face it, many of those rail mounts just didn't work!

My first kit was as late 60's 4pc Lyra (stencil kit) in gold sparkle. The original tom mount quickly gave out and I installed a Ludwig rail. It had the geared ratchet and not the clock-face dial, so was a pretty good mount. I wanted a Swivomatic, but couldn't afford the $45 asking price! At least I was able to convert the original tom holder to a cowbell holder! So, did I devalue my Lyra kit with the addition of the Ludwig rail? At the time, I did what I had to do. Today, even with the Ludwig rail, some may argue that I ruined the kit!! LoLoLoLo

My first complete set was a LaBoz MIJ blue sparkle 22,12,13,16 with a matching snare. full set of hardware and cymbal that sounded kinda tiny. Looked like a Slingerland. I set aside the 12 and played 4-pieces only. I never mod'd anything and sold it around '77. I did replace the cheezy bass pedal with a real Slingerland when the original one collapsed. That was an improvement of the quantum variety. Affordable, as we say.

Funny you should mention the bass pedal! That was the first part to give out on my Lyra kit. Went to Wallach's Music City the next day and my dad bought a Slingerland Tempo King pedal for me. That was a great pedal!

Let's see, a perfectly playable and collectible drum used as....furniture. :-)

Here is what I think:

First of all, I visited your wife's website and I really like her contemporary aesthetic and the linear approach to her art. Find some orphan shells and strip them down to a smooth finish. Hand them to her and say "do your thing on a three dimensional surface.". Meanwhile you polish up the chrome. When she is done, reassemble into end tables that reflect both of your passions. Just a thought.