Hi! I am new to drumming, though I've been dying to learn for years! Even though I am short on cash, I finally broke down and bought a cheap starter set (or do you call them kits?). They are fine for learning on, but obviously I was planning on upgrading later on.
About 48 hours after taking home my new set, I was given a kind of pearlescent Rogers set from the 60s. For free! A local musician has had them since then, and he was moving and couldn't take them along, so he gave them to my grandpa, who didn't need them. So that's how I found myself going from wanting drums really badly, to having 2 complete sets in my livingroom.
After doing research (and reading posts here), I realized that the Rogers from the 60s are good drums. These are in good condition, though the heads and a few lugs need to be changed. I was also given some replacements of those as well (this elderly man seriously loved these drums). I also inherited 2 cymbals and one pair of hi hats all made by Zildjian. I don't know anything about brands, but these things sound so awesome!
The sticker on the inside says "Holiday" and Cleveland, OH. The set includes The bass drum, a snare, a rack tom, a floor tom, and 2 little bongo-looking things. They are a bit different in size, and sound exactly like bongos too! They match the rest of the set, so I am a bit confused. I tried finding these on the net, but to no avail.
Ok, so here are my questions:
What on earth are these 2 little drums that match the set, look like bongos, and sound like bongos? Does anyone else have them? Where do I put them on the set? They have a hole between them so that they can be screwed onto something. I have pieces that I don't know what to do with, and I'm sure they're involved. I should take photos of the whole set and show you all so maybe you could tell me what to do with the pieces.
Second, why does the Rogers set have only one rack tom, and my cheapy starter set has 2 rack toms? Since I haven't started lessons yet, I don't know the difference between having one or 2. If I preferred 2, could that be arranged in the future for the Rogers? I mean, without drilling holes or anything. I love instruments and anything vintage. I wouldn't drill holes into my guitars, so I am not planning on doing that to my drums either.
Third, will this older set give me problems and need to be in constant repair? Are they kind of like an older car, where they are made with better quality materials and loved by many, but are always needing tinkering?
I know that my starter kit is cheap and good drummers would think that they are gross-sounding (of course, the drummer who owns the shop that sold them to me thinks they sound fine, considering they are meant to be someone's first set. However, that's how shop owners sell stuff, so I took it with a grain of salt and assured myself that it didn't really matter right now. Plus, they don't pain me to hear them, and I'm not recording anything with them). I bought them on a budget, not realizing that free vintage drums were coming my way shortly.
Is there any viable reason for me to keep the starter kit? I spent money on them, and now I will be spending money on the vintage set for new heads. Remember, I don't play yet and am not loaded with cash. It just seems strange for someone who can't play drums to have 2 complete sets of them all over the place. One being really nice and the other being really cheap.
I mean, should I sell them (the new ones. I'm holding onto the Rogers)? They are brand new and very pretty, especially in the eyes of a kid who is dying to learn to play, and a parent who's not willing to dish out thousands of dollars for a child who may not take it up.
If so, how should I sell them? The paper? The net?
I don't know any drummers personally, so any advice that you can give would be so great! Thanks a bunch!
