I began downsizing my vintage drum collection about five years ago when I had thirteen vintage drum sets and enough vintage A Zildjian cymbals, pedals, stands, and other go-withs to augment about a half dozen sets.

I sold off or traded off drum sets until I was left with four sets and all of the other stuff. The trades consisted of trading two good sets for one outstanding drum set. Once the collection consisted of only four drum sets it was easy for me to decide which set would be my forever-keeper outfit. Recent events in the lives of my wife and me convinced me that the time was here to divest myself of everything but the one drum set along with several cymbals and enough hardware to have a backup for each item. I would have been able to put the drum sets on consignment at a friend's music store with a great vintage drum department. He could not help me with the cymbals and the sh*tload of hardware unless I wanted to give them away to his store.

So,I phoned a forum friend in the vintage drum business who has very similar taste to me in the drums he buys and sells. He was interested in meeting me at my house after a three-hour drive. After about an hour of good-natured banter about what each of us thought was a fair price to both of us, we loaded the three drum sets, 3/4 of my cymbal stash, a most of my sh*tload of stands, pedals, and other go-withs into his new spacious Ford Sprinter van for the three-hour drive back to his shop.

Some observations from this experience are : A). The bundled price of all the stuff was lower than I could have gotten by going through a long process of listing everything online, dealing with tire-kickers, low-ballers, and fraudsters. B). Buying packing material, packing up each of the items, shipping them all over the country, and wear and tear on this old guy's body would cost me much more than the possible higher dollar amount I might get if and when all of it was sold off. C) I am content and have no remorse about whittling my vintage drum collection to this one perfect set of 1963 BDP Leedy Shelly Manne outfit consisting of 14x20, 16x16, 9x13, and matching 5x14 Shelly Manne snare drum, I also kept my WMP Radio King 4x13 snare drum, six A Zildjians ranging from 1940s through late 1960s, vintage 60s 14" A Zildjian hi-hat cymbals, period-correct Leedy bass drum and hi-hat pedals with Rogers Swivomatic period stuff for back ups, and a few generic vintage cymbal and snare stands. I also kept a set of vintage 60s Ludwig bongos on which Leedy lugs dropped right into the original mounting holes.

I have about the same amount of gear and really should downsize like you. I think it would be great to sell all of it to one person. Selling stinks, for all the reason's you mentioned.

Howie, while I applaud you for whittling the collection down (I'm going to do that someday as well), I wish I had known, because I know you had some nice sets to move out. Of course, you sold them all to one person, so it doesn't matter at this point, does it?

Of course you kept the Leedys. Otherwise, you would have to change your handle!

I more or less did the same thing a few months ago, although my whittling was only from about 5 to 1. My 68 Sky Blue Pearl Club Dates with Acrolite snare are up to the task. And I disposed of my other drums in a similar manner: traded all my stuff for the ‘dates. Quick and dirty, and DONE.

Congratulations on recognizing your priorities. It’s not always easy…

I've had a very difficult time deciding what I want to do with my collection. I think I have settled on leaving my remaining stuff to a few younger drummers I know. When the time comes, if any of them are dead or uninterested in getting them, I was thinking of possibly having my collection auctioned off on this forum with all proceeds going to David and Tommy for this site.

There must be at least one person within a three hour drive from you who could work with you the way John Dorn worked with me.

Bob. I honestly did think about your mention about wanting the Lavender Satin Flame set. But, the opportunity to deal with only one buyer and not have any packing and shipping with which to deal was an easy decision.

Originally Posted by leedybdp

Bob. I honestly did think about your mention about wanting the Lavender Satin Flame set. But, the opportunity to deal with only one buyer and not have any packing and shipping with which to deal was an easy decision.

I wish you had contacted me, but what's done is done. Would the new buyer be interested in selling them?

Originally Posted by DrumBob

I wish you had contacted me, but what's done is done. Would the new buyer be interested in selling them?

Bob. John Dorn at Texas Vintage drums is in the business of buying and selling vintage drums. Call him at 512-970-6255.

Originally Posted by jmcohen

Of course you kept the Leedys. Otherwise, you would have to change your handle!

I more or less did the same thing a few months ago, although my whittling was only from about 5 to 1. My 68 Sky Blue Pearl Club Dates with Acrolite snare are up to the task. And I disposed of my other drums in a similar manner: traded all my stuff for the ‘dates. Quick and dirty, and DONE.

Congratulations on recognizing your priorities. It’s not always easy…

That is odd, because when I downsized I also kept my sky blue Club Dates, although with matching snare. I'll be buried in that highly coveted 14" floor tom. I also have supra, acrolite, Carl Palmer snare.