First thing is get the slingy's out of the freekin garage the cold can split the wrap.. second get some hardcases and start giging them babies that is what they were made for.. :)

Simply my opinion but I have found cheap westbury drums to be good for what they are. I also have vintage slingerlands and they dont like temperature change . If its -15 in the trailer and I set them up in a bar thats 70 they sound like crap. The westbury shells seem to hold there tune I have set them up in the snow and played. Should be able to get a shell pack under $200

70s Slingy and Luddy kits with concert toms can be found for very cheap, often in the $200 zone for the shell pack. They have a great sound, just not very collectable these days. Would be a much better option than the Percussion Plus, MAXX, First Act, etc junk that pops up on CL all day long. Plus you get to stick with the vintage stuff, which everyone here will agree is way cooler!

Whooooooah! You're complaining about moving your kit from your garage (garage-storage is a big no-no, no matter where you live) to your basement, for rehearsal? Is it a gazillion-piece kit? Are you that lazy? I used to (and sometimes, still do) schlepp my kit to far-off rehearsal studios and livingrooms(so I wouldn't have to play on their junk) in rain, snow, sleet or hail, so I could play my "perfectly tuned" kit. Am I missing something here? Is this another quick-fix question? Man, schlepp that kit to wherever on earth you want to play it and enjoy it!! You'll fast become that more proficient at set-up and tear-down. When you start playing gigs, you'll appreciate that proficiency.

I'm not lazy, but it is a pain, its the lay out of my house, I have to walk through entrance way, then kitchen, another hall way, then down 22 stairs, price you pay for having a large house, since I practice on my TD3 kit, the only time I use the sling is when I practice with my band, which by the way I do have a band and we play out often, I have my eye on a 1980's Pearl all chrome set, the guy wants $600, I offered $450, we will see. I will post pics of my set soon, for the record, its Buddy Rich marine white pearl, 1969 I believe, might be early 70, 24" bass/13/14/16/18 toms, chrome radio king snare, deep dish. G2 batters, remo coated bottom, they sound like a nuclear explosion on stage, speaking of....here is my band, check out the tracks I could be the oldest hard rock drummer on the forum (57)

www.brotherjohn.us

you can get a sneek peak of my sling in my bio

Nice-looking set. I was just busting your chops....kind of. Maybe a smaller house would help? Seriously, depending on the size you want/need for practice, there are plenty of semi-vintage kits on CL and fleabay in your price-range. Good luck with your search.

Keep an eye on the CL ads and find a decent inexpensive vintage kit.

Best thing I ever did was buy another kit to practice on. I got tired of the break down/set up/ break down (repeat) routine. Now, the gig kit stays in the cases and is ready to go and the practice kit is always set up begging to be played.

I'm excited as hell, the buyer accepted my offer on the 80's Pearl all chrome kit, I'm supposed to pick it up monday, will post pics when I get it, speaking of pics here is my set

I will post more if these turn up,

Good they showed, what I did to expand my set I found a set of yamaha suspended toms 8/10" they were black so I did my best to find wrap close to my kit, this was the best I could do, on stage under the lights its all good, blends in well.