So the question I have is this, are American drums from the late 50s and the 60s in great demand because they are simply better than drums from any other era, or are they in high demand because of the age of a large number of collectors and users of those drums who have a nostalgic emotional attachment to drums from that era?

I think it is a bit of both. For toms and BDs that era, and on into the early 70s, yields some outstanding drums. I personally prefer snare drums from the 20s and 30s. The demographics of the poll indicate that there is a great deal of nostalgia for the 50s and 60s stuff. I'm not in the nostalgia camp. I'm a player and my only criteria are great sound and practical durability issues.

Age is relative. I've held babies that died. I've also pulled grown men from the water, dead. Age and death do not go hand in hand. When my FATHER wants to call me home, I'll shed the mortal coil and come a' runnin'. Until then, I do what I do. Old is a state of mind. I'm young and will always be young. I love the gray hairs that appear in my beard. They're cool. I will always keep my students on their toes. They come to my class with no idea about what I might do that day. I am a notorious practical joker and will do most anything to make them smile and laugh. My goal each year is to make someone wet their pants or throw up from laughing uncontrollably. I've done it each of the five years I've been with this district. One year, I did it to two kids and a teacher in the same class period. That was a good year.

I'm 50, and I feel I've lived about half of my life.... and most of the good stuff is yet to come.....

Maybe they're in demand because they sound great, have great mojo, AND often they cost much less than a new entry set that is made overseas. That last reason is a great one. VALUE. Last I checked several younger players are also on a budget. With very few exceptions old drums are less expensive than new ones, especially of similar quality.

Outstanding point Pounder. That's the horse I've been flogging in several threads as of late. There's GREAT deals out there to be had for one whose eyes are open.

This is off the vintage drum point, but still kinda in line with the overall thought process......

I just saw a gigging kit for 80 bucks. This could be cool for a practice kit or a club kit for a young drummer. No, it's not vintage. duh. But, the point of the matter is - Buy Used. We have enough of the import kits, thank you very much. Stop buying the stupid things NEW!!!

USED 5PC LUDWIG DRUM SET BLK W/ STEEL SNARE

Now Only$79.99

Guitar Center Allen Park

Allen Park, Michigan 48101

313 561 3904

Definitely! Why line the pockets of people who have exported jobs overseas? This stuff will only be flooding the used market even more, that much more garbage for us to filter through trying to find the vintage gems!

A related topic has just surfaced on DFO, about Not So Modern Drummer magazine and their plan to GIVE AWAY the magazine in certain drum stores and online. Down on the original post there's a comment regarding the increased numbers of younger players who are playing used and vintage drums!

http://www.drumforum.org/index.php?/topic/34581-not-so-modern-drummer-magazine-now-free-in-drum-shops-and-departments/

I have had 16 kits, and only had 2 new (purchased new) drum kits, my current 7 kits, 24 snare drums, 52 cymbals, 13 sets of hats, several hundred pieces of percussion, and maybe only a few things (shakers, splash, bass pedal, etc.) have been purchased new.

But I still haven't found what I'm lookin' for.... I haven't really found that vintage drums are much cheaper, I'd really like a '60s Gretsch, jazz sizes. But I'm usually looking at paying several grand.

I can get a lot of newer slightly used stuff for that price.... but don't want it.

m

You'd also pay several grand for a NEW Gretsch in those sizes. Just saying.

Great, great post. Thanks.