+1 with jda again.

The prices go up because drummers pay the price, perhaps without demanding a better deal. There are still a LOT of '60's MIJ sets out there for the picking.

I'd like to point out another desirable MIJ set that Chris has listed for sale. This is a 12/14/20 orange and grey tiger pearl kit. Very cool, and they look acceptably nice, but with some minor finish issues, scratches, etc. He has the toms and bass drum listed at $650. If you want the matching snare, it's listed separately at $200. This kit really interests me, but I find the pricing prohibitive. Why not list the entire four piece set together as a package?

I’ve met and talked to Chris at some recents drums shows. I’ve also spoken to multiple dealers and sellers/buyers locally and through the internet. While I do some buying and selling, it’s only a side hobby for me. I have taken the dive and rented a booth or two and if you haven’t been on that side of the fence, you should try it! It will give you a whole new prospective!

We vintage buyers are the most picky buyers there are. Buyers are looking for 60 year old new drums, and sellers are trying to fill that need. Guess what, there are no new 60 year old drums out there! When there are, the price reflects it! Some saw my Rogers kit at the Delaware show and while I took them mainly for display, I did put a price on them. Some were quite offended(I won’t name names, but he’s a dealer who charges high prices himself!)and others said it was right on the money! If you saw them there you may know what I am talking about.

My philosophy is this, if you like them and desire to be the next caretaker of them, buy them! Sure, try to come to an agreeable price that both parties are happy with, but it’s best to buy them when you see them because someone else will beat you to it! Hesitation often breeds regret while buyers remorse can be overcome.

Sometimes I keep snares with kits, sometimes I split them. I’ve found that many people don’t want a matching snare. If you did want both, I’d discount the price for you.

;) Set up a whiny Help Me Buy MIJ Go FundMe Drumbob... (geezeus

You're shocking me a little bit here- and making Alpha-males look bad ;)

Bone up- I ain't gonna cry about 1900$ stock used old K 22's asking prices... Well I may have done some muffled crying into my pillow last night maybe..but no one saw..;)

I don't have to remind anyone here or anywhere on the net : They're just " tubs and tins"..

How many " tubs and tins" do we need..

I have had a few dealings with Chris. I have always been satisfied. He is easy to talk to. He knows the business well. If I want something and I feel the price is too high I don't buy and I keep looking. I think Chris does a top notch job operating his business.

Fwiw/imho the MIJ kits,

DON'T have the heritage/history that the USA, UK brands did &do.I.e. what famous drummer ever endorsed ANY MIJ kit?,

The only time I've ever seen ANY drummer play/use a MIJ kit is in tv �� shows, videos, when the local music shop didn't have said famous drum endorsers brand in stock,

Or wasn't a dealer,

If you watch a lot of "Beat Club" TOTP's,

You'll see what I mean,

MIJ kits are rare here in Australia ������������,

But DON'T command the exorbitant prices asked in your country,

Why?,

Because the main seller here in Melbourne sells them at a cheap, fair price,

As to dispose of them quickly,

As his clientele favors more USA or UK Euro vintage drums then MIJ kits,

& They're not as well known,

Nor imported /distributed in this country,

As we had Dandy&Drouyn,

Far superior to ANY MIJ drums.

Well said!

This has been my whole point. I'm not here to attack Chris and Hawthorne Drum Shop for offering up some good vintage drums. As everyone has already said, Chris is a stand-up guy. That's not the issue. The issue is the high prices that these MIJ kits are attempted to be sold for in the US. I said it before and I'll say it again; the MIJ drums sole purpose was to allow parents to buy drums for a cheap price. Underneath the sometimes cool wraps still beats shells and hardware that were cheaply made...period! The only real exception was when Yamaha started to produce drums for Rogers and, eventually, their own drums, which were much better than those being offered by the other Japanese makers.

The OP has every right to voice his opinion on high prices and try to work out a fair deal. I hope he succeeds. But, bottom line, the cost of MIJ drums is getting out of control! Just my opinion!! :)

-Mark

This is a old thread but I recently bought a 14x14 Ludwig floor tom from Chris at Hawthorne drums.

It was a good experience; honestly described, shipped quick, well packaged, good communication, no surprises. I changed a hoop and added a screw that was missing that holds the baseball bat muffler to the body of the drum but otherwise was fine. I should have asked about that and I didn't so thought of it as the cost of doing business and my fault about not checking it out before buying it.

I would recommend Hawthorne Drums....