I told my family that if I get sick, I'll sell everything before I go unless anyone wants anything. I said if I go unexpectedly, feel free to sell it or give it away. I don't care. It's just stuff.

Price my stuff so high that only people with a ton of money can afford it. If it sells, then it's likely going somewhere under good care. If no one wants it, then build it all into a bonfire and take it into the spirit world with me....heh.

I just had my ninth annual vintage drum garage sale last Saturday. This year I put out almost everything from my collection. I priced every drum and cymbal and updated my inventory list with current values. I sold a bunch of things, but nothing that I cannot live without. I did not for a second think that there was enough demand in Kansas City for much of what i have, but figured the more I made available, the more redistribution of vintage drums would occur. What remains is cataloged and priced. One of my sons has been along for much of my vintage drum journey and understands and appreciates what things are worth.

I've also been thinking about this lately and I'm glad to see it being discussed here. Ive thought about simply creating a document with some photos of each drum or set in my collection, descriptions, and "values" along with contact information for a few trusted fellow collectors that can be relied upon to give guidance. Of course, easier said than done :)

James

If I precede my wife, I’m guessing she’ll sell the drums with the farm. My younger son might want a set as he played for a very brief period of time. Maybe my granddaughter too. They were for my enjoyment. Whatever after that.

I love the reviews and the comments they all mean something to each of us differently

but basically the bottom line is. Its for our own pleasure

as in dans response

but I still think they are our investment a form of stock so to say.

It would be nice to reap the rewards

for our loved ones, there has to be a way to do this brokerage, auction house or something!

In my case, my daughter and my younger son (both adults) are both multi-instrumentalists, but they both love drums and have their own sets. When they visit, they take turns playing with my vintage kits.

Last year my mother passed away (peacefully, aged 86, natural causes) and as we were dealing with her estate, my two kids started asking me how I wanted them to handle the drums when something happens to me. Then they started arguing with each other on which of my sets they wanted. (They were pretending to argue to make me laugh.)

I interrupted them and said I have a solution. They asked what? And with a straight face I said to them: "Viking funeral." It took a minute for them to remember what a Viking funeral was, and they thought I was serious. The horror on their face was priceless as they pictured all of my drums in a giant bonfire!

But I couldn't keep a straight face and I started laughing.

My son would get it all. He can do what he wants with it.

Maybe I’ll ask him to bury some of my ashes with dirt and a few rides, dig them up in a couple years and see how they sound! :D

This is my plan as well. Just need to do it.

I did it, I started documenting and putting values to my drums. Simply pasting a photo of the kit in a Word document and writing the description of the drums, any repairs I made and what the value could be. It was fun and I will try to do a kit each morning until finished. So in two weeks I should have it all done. Now, were talking drums, no cymbals, stands or anything else. When finished I will print the pages out and make a little booklet out of them. This will go in the safe along with our last will and other important documents. Sounds kind of funny considering drums as important assets but at least my family will have some guidance when I am in heaven.