I think a lot of the recent popularity stems from Ludwig having re-issued the colors in recent years, and the internet providing more people with access to the more rare finishes. I'm sure within the next decade they will fall back into obscurity and something else will make a come back. Hopefully It's not shag carpet,lol

Years ago I almost bought a kit that was re-wrapped in some kind of reddish velvet finish. I don't remember what kind they were, but they certainly were different.

Here's a rare one, finish-wise, but not regarded as desirable.

Maybe that will change someday,,,??

Offered for one year only.

I think what is being discussed here would fall under the desirability label, no? Some finish is considered "rare", harder to come by and so it is more desirable to collectors. Finish certainly seems to play a role, price wise, any time an old 12,14,18 Gretsch kit comes up in burgundy sparkle.

Rare drum wrap is a thing of the past, you can have a kit professionaly re-wrapped in practically any finish you desire. On the other hand, if you have extra holes or pitted hardware, you're pretty much screwed. That's why I don't put much emphasis on a particular color. Sure, the kit might be de-valued a bit because of a re-wrap, but you can have any finish you want, you don't have to pay outrageous prices for your "dream" kit.

That's a great point, there was a black oyster pearl re-wrapped down beat kit at a local music store that looked fantastic. If I wasn't told it was a re-wrap, I would had never known and the owner was still able to get $1,500.

Certain wraps cannot be re-produced though, so some are still and will always be rare. Granted colors like the mod orange, and the like have been re-created. And very closely to the originals at that. But a color like my Fiesta Pearl from the Leedy kit I sold, no one's making that wrap, and chances are no one ever will. Certain finishes required certain chemicals, some of which have been banned. So yes while there are many wraps that are made today, and some with colors of old, even some of those aren't 100% identical.

I think there are companies that can scan any finish and get it pretty close to the original. The Leedy kit you sold may had been rare, but is it a desirable finish? How much did you get? Kevin's Slingerland kit is rare, but not really a sought after finish.

Honestly I got $1,200 for the kit. I posted it on the Leedy Facebook page and got swarmed with messages. It was insane. After I had the deal done a drum shop in NJ messaged me and said I easily could have asked $3,000-$4,000 for that kit, which to me is crazy. But for some reason that fiesta finish is highly sought after. But having seen it up close, it is truly a beautiful finish.

This is simply not true. Yes, you can have a kit rewrapped in any finish you choose. And 99.5% of the time you can tell very easily. Kits that have been rewrapped or messed with just don't pull the money that original unmolested kits do. You could take 50s Gretsch shells in the best shape possible, with perfect hardware and wrap it in burgundy and it will sell, quickly, for good money, but not the kind of money an original kit will bring. Not even close.

Ann original kit with a bit of pitting and maybe even an extra hole will bring more money than a rewrapped kit every single time.