I'm a vintage owner, probably only because I have always been poor and have placed utilitarian use above collecting or bragging rights throughout my life. I've always spent as much as I could humanly afford for the best things to fill my 'voids' or needs whether it was my drums, a guitar, a car or just an easy chair. I know many would probably disagree, but as the saying goes the high price of excellent quality will always out weigh the low cost of poor quality...so vintage or new my advice is just get the drums YOU believe are the best for your bucks or the one's your heart, hands and ears love. Leave the bragging or nit-picking to those that feel it is important to them and use your best instincts, don't let others be overly influential....Don't take me wrong, you are using a good process by educating yourself and asking questions. Just beware of letting someone else make your decision for you. Let your heart, mind, hands and ears be your final absolute guide and you'll never regret your choice(s). By the way, whenever I've ever seen and heard a great musician play in a local workshop, community college or on a local small stage often they end up using equipment that is available rather than their own stuff. Without exception, regardless of make, age or component type, they've always impressed me and made some of the crumbiest equipment 'sing'. i.e. a good violinist doesn't need a Stratovarius to play or sound good...not to say they wouldn't sound great using the Stratovarius BUT would anyone's ears be offended if they heard a performance on a Yamaha violin? A good musician can make a tin can rock, ...Many years ago I saw a drummer (Think his last name was Mancini) playing with Maynard Ferguson do an entire solo using a beat up cowbell while using the beat up college set at a college in Knoxville. I'm not saying purchase a tin can, LOL....guess I'm saying this is a very subjective area and you are best being happy with whatever you buy and use based upon your own good judgement rather than letting others be too influential. YOU have to be happy and if YOU try to put too much emphasis on what the experts say then YOU are beginning a journey that may lead to some harsh frustration. You have to be satisfied and happy before pleasing the public. You can't go wrong that way.

I would absolutely love a cherry inlay Craviotto kit, or a cherry/walnut hybrid like this one. I'd also love a weekend alone on a tropical island with Kate Beckinsale. At north of $7000 for a 3 piece kit with no snare, I'd say both are equally as likely to actually happen.https://thedrumshopmaine.com/collections/craviotto-kits/products/craviotto-hybrid-stacked-solid-walnut-cherry-drum-set

There are 2 newer sets with a vintage vibe... The second kit being the new Ludwig Neusonic. Looks like a nice American made set for a grand. Can't beat that and I like the blue color. Have not seen them in person yet though. Wes

The Neusonics sound pretty good from the available demo videos... don't know if you've seen the clips yet, but here's some vids/links:Ludwig NeuSonic - Mario Rubalcaba Solo - YouTubeIntroducing the Ludwig NeuSonic - YouTube

I found it pretty humourous how they described the drums as sounding as good as the Ludwig high end drums. They why spend another 2 grand? I'm sure none of these guys or gal use them for gigging or studio secessions. With all those mics, you could make anything sound like a million bucks.I love Ludwig drums, but sometimes these drum companies treat the consumer like we're idiots. If you can make far less expensive drums in your USA plant that look and sound as good as your so called "High End" drums, then just do us all a favor and sell them all at an affordable price.

I agree 100% with your comment. And it's not just Ludwig. It's all drum manufacturers. Unfortunately for me, the drum company i love the most is one of those companies with some of the most expensive drums on the market. But the one that holds that title, is Craviotto. I know they're all handmade by top craftsmen, with an incredible attention to detail , and amazing quality, but for a drum kit to cost as much as a used BMW, is pretty insane. Even their "low end" series are just over 2K. And who would want to gig an expensive kit like that anyway ? Certainly not me. I gig 4 nights a week, and even if i won the lottery, i wouldn't even buy a $3000 set. What would be the point ? To show it off to the one or two drummers in the crowd ? Yeah, no thanks. Mid range drums are sounding better than ever, and you can get some vintage kits that sound great and are well under $1500. I think that people who buy really expensive drums to use once in a blue moon or as a mid life crisis display in their basement living room or den, are fooling themselves.