I've bought a few snare drums from them over the last decade, and they indeed have quality stuff, but their prices are always at the top of the range. They had a large assortment of drums at the recent Chicago show - nice vintage collectable stuff, but nothing was a bargain. In my internet purchases and face-to-face dealings with them, they have been very helpful and professional. For shipping, they pack their drums well.

I don't know if they entertain "offers" below their listed price. I've never asked, but perhaps I should start! And maybe someone else on this forum can answer that question.

Regards, mb

I called them about the Mardi Gras set, and was told they'd discount 5% for a walk-in sale. Since I live pretty far from them, that didn't apply, and I wasn't about to pay $4K for the drums. I thought that was an outrageous amount of money for that set, even though they are rare. Underneath, they're just run-of-the-mill Slingerland drums.

They also have a Pink Oyster set (faded to orange) they want a LOT for. Again, not going to pay their high price.

On Reverb, Steve Maxwell has a beautiful Burgundy Sparkle Ludwig "Club Date" shell pack for $3750. That's good news for those of us who have vintage kits in nice condition, but I agree that that's a LOTTA money for that kit. If it was 1/3 that price, I'd buy it! :-)

Regards, mb

Have dealt with the Drugans many times. Great guys. They put a lot of time and effort into finding great gear.

Mike

The price of an item is always related to the desire of it...and of course, the ability of a buyer to pay that price. If the desire for that object outweighs the price and the buyer has the ability to make it happen, then the price is fair.

Every other musician I know who collects vintage gear, has to pay astronomical prices to acquire their stuff. It seems to be just part of the game for almost every other vintage musical instrument. It's not unusual for a vintage guitar collector to pay tens of thousands of dollars. Violins? Forgetaboutit! Saxophones? Flutes? ALL are extremely high priced, when they are the desirable models.

Well said sir!!

I hope they get the 4k for the MG set!

They have great gear & are good folks.

They got the $4000 for it, so somebody had to have it, and was willing to pay the price. I wasn't, because it's my nature to find the vintage gear I want at reasonable prices, and I usually luck out and do so.

I got the impression that the guys at Drugan were OK to deal with; just high priced, and I'm well aware of the prices for certain vintage guitars and even saxophones. I've been following the vintage guitar market since the late 70's.

Regarding Mardi Gras, I can easily rewrap my old Slingerlands in Walopus's version of Mardi Gras, which I think looks pretty good. I got some a while ago to rewrap a 50's Radio King snare, but haven't done it yet. I'd probably take that set to the good folks at Precision Drum and have George recut the edges and do the rewrap on them.

I'm kinda surprised people can charge these amounts for vintage sets..

But I havent been in the market for years now and dont know current pricing..but if you have to have it..then you have to pay..

Probably inflation too at 8% per year..in 5 to 10 years..price goes up...gas prices too..

Everything is up..

$400-worth of groceries..which is what I spend per buy..is way way up too..

And for 5% off in person purchase..you still have to pay the tax..and they dont have to pack it up..so you save on shipping and possible damage..

Best to go in with cash late on a Fri or Sat..10 or 15 min before they close..maybe in the last day of the QTR mid summer..and see what they will take.

I'll bet they are willing to work w/you.

They have a 16" Ludwig Burgundy Sparkle floor tom also. I have been casually looking for one to add to my set, but they're asking $875 for it, which is outrageous. I spoke with Steve Maxwell, who is not the cheapest guy in town either, and he thought that was a lot of money for that drum.

There's a guy on Ebay who has been trying to sell one for months. He started at $800, and now he's down to $549 or make an offer. That's more like it.

So, I have concluded that I'll avoid Drugan's going forward. End of story. Unless they have something I have to have!