Normally, you can get MIJ (Made in Japan) kits/snares fairly cheap...Parts are plentiful if needed too...

Cheers

Sorry if i'm quite clueless on the subject.... but i was hoping maybe for some examples of brands/models that sell well and won't break the bank....? Particularly snares...?

Kieran

MIJ snares such as Stewart, Lido Supreme, Crest, Apollo, etc. (and about 100 other names) can be found for $25-$50 depending on condition...Resale value is normally $50-$100 depending on condition, wrap color, number of lugs, etc...

Ludwig Acrolite snares are common and popular and you can pick them up for usually $75-$100...Resale value is normally $75-$150 depending on the year and condition (Keystone badges sell for more)...

Westbury kits/snares are entry level, but, can be picked up pretty cheap and beginner drummers always look for these kind of kits...

I`m sure others will chime in with more examples...

Cheers

Ah okay so for a beginner Japanese manufactured drums are the best way to get into vintage drums? what about brands such as premier?

Also I put a few of those names into eBay - very few came up, so apart from eBay where would be good to look, bearing in mind I'm in the UK?

Kieran

I dont know if you have Craigs List in the UK or not but that is usally the source for my drum findings. Ebay would be fine also especialy if you find something close enough to pick up. If you do have Craigs List, you can put an add in the wanted to buy section, that has worked for me. And keep your eyes out in second hand stores and pawn shops. I bought a very nice Pearl President kit at store here called Music-Go-Round where they buy and sell equipment.

Premier would be an excellent choice and I would think you would find them easier than we can but I could be dead wrong. But, the MIJ kits that Granto mentioned would be fun also. I have restored Apollo and Stewart kits and they came out nice and sound good too. Just stay away from MIT stuff.

Jeff C

I restored a Tama imperialstar, did a full rewrap. came out beautiful. but it still was costly as the wrap was as much as the drums. I scored the drums on Craigslist (power tom kit)

Being in the UK I think a nice Premier kit would be pretty easy to find. They are beautiful drums and the hardware is pure class in design. Finding a project kit complete as possible will save you in the long run. Buying parts piece meal can be very costly. Not to mention trying to locate the harder to find parts at times. A MIJ or European brand kit would be a blast to fix up too. ;)

Rather than looking for a specific brand (Although the Premier kit would be nice, especially if you're in the UK) watch for a kit that catches your eye for a reasonable price. A buddy of mine picked up a set of 50's era Radio Kings at a tag sale two years ago that didn't need much in the way of parts but needed a lot of TLC to get it looking and sounding nice. He paid $250.00 for the kit and then put about another $300.00 into cleaning supplies, new heads and such. He got a new rail consolette for the kit to replace the Ludwig that was on it and then sold the Ludwig so it kept his budget pretty low.

I look at Premiers in the gumtree ads in the uk all the time, though I live in Canada. If I lived on your side of the pond I would definitely start with one. There are so many beautiful vintage Premiers floating around the UK just looking for some love.

Don't know where you are in the UK, but i jumped on there and found this in 2 minutes http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/1960s-premier-duroplastic-drums/1007096496

If I ever get a tour in the Uk i'll rent/borrow drums for the gigs and fly one back with me!