I'm 43 and have a half dozen kits,37 snare drums,a stack of orphans and 1 very understanding wife.

Outstanding point. An understanding spouse is key to having any sort of collection, especially a collection that takes up a significant amount of room.

I am not sure if you are the only female here, but I do know that you are the only female I know over 20 who ever gave up her age!

Excited

40 yrs old. I grew up watching my Dad play his 60s Ralston kit (made by Star). My first kit was a no name MIJ kit (my brother's old kit). The first kit that I bought (used) was a late 70s Vistalites that I recently gave to a young drummer (my best friend's son). I also own late 80s Ludwig Rockers.

Since joining this forum, I have picked up a no name MIJ kit and some MIJ snares. I think I got bit by the bug!!!!

BTW - This thread was started in June of 2010 - does that make IT vintage?? LOL

51 yrs old, not really a "Collector", just a player. 5 yrs ago I happened on to my first vintage kit. Now I own 3 (2 are being played and one is in resto mode) and quite frankly, I could care less about modern drums anymore.

I'm trying to recruit a 24 y/o female into the VDF community. She recently inherited her grandfather's '64 Leedy red sparkle kit that he taught her how to play on. They had been in a shed for a long time, so a local vintage drummer/vintage drum owner who works part time at a local music store cleaned them up and made some repairs for her. I obtained an old Leedy hihat stand recently, so he put me in contact with her and I'll be handing it over to her soon. She seems to want to know more, so I pointed her to VDG/VDF. She said she's already looked at VDG, so I told her she should join VDF! We'll see if she does. By the way, she's looking for a floor tom to go with her kit...her grandfather didn't have one. If anyone has a SlingerLeedy era one in red sparkle let me know so I can connect you to her.

To fall in line with the other responses to the post: I'll be 31 in 2 months and now own 2 vintage Slingerland kits and a '67 Ludwig Supra. I also own a DW kit that I bring to dives and smoky clubs...I don't want my very white marine pearl '58 kit getting nicotine on them and my '67ish sparkling greens are my practice kit for now. And, like Legacy drummer said, I have a very understanding wife. However, I really don't have room for any more. Something would have to go if I found my holy grail of drums - a 30s/40s Radio King kit.

To address the original question posed by the original poster: I plead the fifth because "old" becomes a higher number as I have more birthdays...I'm just a kid in a 30 year old wrap. ;)

In 1963 when I started playing, I was a 'modern drummer.' Now, at 63 years old, both me and my once modern kits need to be cleaned up and repaired before playing.

John

sound like me John boy time sure fly's and im only 60 almost 61

gary

This is an awesome thread. I have enjoyed browsing this site since joining a few weeks ago. I am soon to be 61 and my drums are getting close to 50. I am not a collector - just a guy who has hung on to a few meaningful things from my youth, including the Star Snare drum I bought in 63 and a Roger's kit from late 64, early 65. I also have the 65 Harley Sprint my Dad bought us when my older brother turned 16, and the 19' canoe we paddled all over MI, OH, and Ontario.

Our band had a blast for 5-6 years until we all went off to college or the service. My wife thinks it is time I find a new home for the drums as we downsize in preparation for retirement in a remote cabin someplace. I just can't let them go.

This Vintage Drummer is actually a 54-year old Bass Player bit by the Vintage Drum bug last year. While looking for a kit to throw into the "Practice Room" here at my office I ran into and bought a '68/'69 Ludwig Standard in Lemon Strata 5-pc kit and it started. Having a drummer brother and playing bass drums always fascinated me, keeping the beat and slamming the groove. So I cleaned that set and have it here to share with drummer friends at rehearsals. Then along come the Estate Sale of the Century! This guy had like 15-kits, all from the '60's, cymbals, bongos, stands, sticks, parts out the buttocks, Rogers, Ludwig, Slingerland.... I wish I had brought more $$$$, spent every dime I had and after all is said and done I end up with a free set of '65 WMP Ludwigs that I keep at home. Got them set up in the family room, hit them almost every night, think I'll move them back out to the garage so I can play longer and louder. Does that make me a Vintage Drummer?

Bowing