Good tip Ploughman!

How about this, ask yourself the question, how much of the work can I do myself? Consider the expense needed to have someone wrap the drum, or true up the edges, dont forget that!

To the point of nostalgia, the owner's nostalgia should not enter into the price quotient as Ploughman stated, unless of course, there is some serious provenance with the kit and, in that case, it's not a "project" kit and does not apply.

I will say, if you have the funds, picking up a kit for sentimental reasons is fine, however, don't go into that blindly. I picked up a kit that was identical to my first kit which was a fairly uncommon kit. I happened to see it on eBay and I paid what it took to get it. In reality it was a $425 purchase for a kit that should have cost perhaps $350 but that was fine with me. It was for my personal use and not for retaining any particular value other than that which I ascribed to it.

One note about working on drum kits that is important: it is quite possible to enjoy this hobby without spending a ton of money. There are lots of kits out there from free to $500 that would be a lot of fun to work on and use. Therefore it is a realatively inexpensive hobby compared to cars, boats (my earlier fixation), guitars, etc. As everyone has said, make certain you know what you are getting into financially BEFORE you dive in, but equally important, know WHY you would be interested in the first place. Let your motivation tempered with fiscal sense guide you.

Great thread John.

Thanks for this thread, Purdie Shuffle! May I call you John? Lots of pertinent info. I am on a shoestring budget: new house, first child, low/medium profile gigs. I "flip" players kits when I can, but don't have the know-how to do serious restoration work, though I have learned a lot here and am slowly applying some of that.

I guess what I wanted to add to this thread is: It seriously helps to get a good long term understanding of your marketplace. I don't do the "bay" and do a minimum of shipping, so most of my sales are local. I depend on the local music community, Kijiji (like craiglist) ,few small local want ads and my facebook page to sell my wares. It's been interesting (and stressful) to see which kits sell and which sit there. I scour over want ads a few times a day and it helps me get a bigger picture as to what sells and what sits there.

For example, I love english drums, but unfortunately they don't seem to get much love. People here want the good ol' US brands, a good deal on "modern" drums like Yammies/Mapex or beginners kits for their kids with complete sets of low-end cymbals. If I had $1000 I could grab 5 sweet MIJs right now that have already been cleaned and have really cool wraps, but they are the same ones that have been sitting there for a while, so why would I have more luck selling them? Just something else to keep in mind.

Anyway, thanks to Mr. Purdie and the contributors to this thread for helping us do what we do in a more informed way! Rant over: I'll let the big boys talk now!

Funkypoodle, you have said it! Very good input to the thread. I think its great this thread is covering three aspects, flipping, collecters/musem pieces and kits to restore for your own pleasure.

funkypoodle - 'May I call you ''funky''! LOL (*Don't be so formal, John is fine, it's the name my mom gave me. You gotta hear some of the names I get called around here! John is fine...) :D

Restoring, or refurbishing drums is something you should 'evolve into.' You're doing it the right way, the 'organic' way, gradually accumulating knowledge/information, trying your hand at small repair projects, it's just the best way to get started. What'll happen is; over time, you'll find yourself taking on projects that are more and more complicated or demanding and -handling them-! That's what happened to me. Replace a strainer or a mount here and there, then I started filling and sanding a few small holes and cracks, then gluing up and clamping loose re-rings, straightening out warped or bent hoops, etc. On and on over the years slowly gaining in experience and confidence.

You may not have the space right now with your small family in full bloom, but maybe one day you will. I went from apartment dweller with not much room for hobbies as a young family man, to a homeowner a little later in life with a basement where I was finally able to set up a small work shop. Everything just came together at the same time, my level of knowledge and experience along with the place and the means to do it. It's nice to 'be ready' when your time comes. Keep in there reading, asking questions and taking on whatever small fix-it jobs you can do yourself. One day, not too far off in the future, you'll be ready to take on anything and you'll be set-up to do it. When you're 'there,' that's when this sh*t really gets fun!

John

Great thread John, I really could have used it a couple of years back when I was given a MIJ bass and floor tom and thought "well this may make a nice little project". LOL Many hours and much $ later and I'm still a ways out from completing it. I came into this blindly and have made most of the mistakes in the book. But it is funny that even with all the problems I've had, there is a real sense of accomplishment when I finnish a drum, even with all the flaws in it.

> there is a real sense of accomplishment when I finnish a drum, even with all the flaws in it.

stevie - That feeling, is what it's all about! Can't buy a drug anywhere that can make you feel as good as when you've given something your 'best shot' (which is all anyone can do,) and it comes out good. guitar2

John

That is true Bro....that is true.

I have been an apartment dweller for a long time, but now I have lots of room (1000 sq/foot basement)! The pic is for fun. I don't yet have a workspace set up, but having been thoroughly enjoying my practice/recording space. Since I'm much more limited financially, an MIJ restore/customize project would be more realistic for now and would give me some hands-on experience. I was tweaking/repairing my Stewart kit in the early 80's so this would be familiar terrain too. It should help me build some confidence along the way. I chose home-ec in high school instead of shop class and got to hang with all the girls. Needless to say my cooking is pretty darn good, but my woodworking skills need LOTS of work! Anyways, thanks again, John, as yer mommy would call you!

JCCabinets: it's been inspiring to watch your projects come to term! You breathe new life into drums in a unique way!

LOL - I wonder if all drummers basements look like ours!

[IMG]http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n632/PurdieShuffle/basement.jpg[/IMG]

That photo was taken 9 or 10 months ago, it's much worse now! I have added several project kits to the pile that I want to work on over the winter. I should update the photo. Now, it looks like the basement of a music store down there.

God bless our wives for putting up with us!

John