A related discussion...I wonder what the future holds for vintage drum collecting. Will we go the way of coin and stamp collecting that our parent's generation enjoyed?...Hobbies that have died off. Silver coins being worth only their melt value.

On the opposite side of coin and stamp collecting, the prices for WWII rifles and pistols continue to skyrocket. Demand remains very high - including among young enthusiasts - while supply remains limited (kinda like 1960s drums). Military guns that were worth a few hundred dollars in the 1970s-1980s now go for $4-5000 ! Hard to believe. I wish now I'd kept my collection.

For the last two years - since becoming a Grandfather, I've teased my daughter and my step-son that their daughters will each inherit a 1960s Ludwig kit when I'm gone. But then last week I stopped in at a Guitar Center and saw the latest electronic drum kits and realized that - when these girls become teenagers - even if they are interested in drumming - they won't want Grandpa's old-fashioned stuff....They'll want the latest and greatest electronic drums with all the bell and whistles and 100+ different selectable drum kit sounds that they can plug their electronic devices into.

So we can only hope that young (maturing) drummers will want our vintage drum gear in the future, and keep prices up. But then again, when we are gone, who cares? We will have enjoyed the study of vintage drum production and we will have enjoyed the nostalgia/sentimentality of playing the drums we knew as teenagers, so it's all good! Even big boys need their toys!

Enjoy them while we can! Long live the VDF!

Regards, MB

I certainly understand why GUNS have increased in interest lately. But yes I agree that it's likely that vintage drums and sets will not ever have a resurgence in the future.

I have most all of the drums and kits that I ever wanted, now (with a few exceptions), so I don't get as excited when I look at vintage stuff that's out there. I don't "need" any of it, now. Other collectors might have a similar story....One can only collect for so long before the collection is complete.

Same.............

+1

Cheers

I stop in (when it "lets" me) several times a day. I always hope someone will offer up the snare I'm looking for, but fairly soon I will be picking the brain trust here on the elusive Leedy Marvel strainer.

-Kurt

Hello. I still check in. Thanks Guys and Girls.

Both Marty Black and O-Lugs bring up excellent points! My drum collecting days are pretty much over...except for the occasional 60's MIJ snare drum that catches my eye. But, it needs to be for a good price! I'm sure everyone here has seen the high prices that sellers are asking. Of course, the vast majority never sell!

I collect those snare drums and sets that bring me back to my youth in the 60's. I still have a 1965 Slingerland Modern Solo to restore and who knows when I'll get to those!

I've no doubt that when I'm gone that some of my family will pick a cool looking snare drum from my collection to keep. For now, I'm enjoying my collection...even though it means just admiring them on the shelf!

-Mark

I think that vintage drums will always be prized for their different sound and character, although they might be appreciated by smaller and smaller numbers of professionals.

Consider the fact that the bulk of popular music today is made on computers from samples and loops. Unless there are periods of nostalgia for recording the old fashioned way, the process of recording a human being playing a real drum set will probably become more and more rare. Drums may be required to make new samples from time time, but may very well become museum pieces more than anything. As far as live music? Who knows?

I also have pretty much everything I need, although there are a few bits and pieces here and there. So I am not really in buying mode.

I really need to create an inventory with documentation on what things are worth and ways to dispose of it when I die. That should be many years away, but you never know. Many of the vintage drums that we cherish could very well become a burden to our families and without the information on how and where to sell them for a decent price, could end up being dropped off at Goodwill. We already see this alot more than you would expect so that trend will probably only increase.

Will Zippo lighters ever have a comeback? I don't think so because Bic lighters are so much more convenient...don't have to have lighter fluid, flints...Bics are just too easy. If you lose one, then it's not a big deal...etc. I think pretty much ALL acoustic drums will go the way of the Zippo. Some people might keep a decorative set of bongos around or make wall clocks from old K Zildjians *gasp*

I sincerely hope that your take on the future of real drums is dead wrong. Despite electronic synthesis of the sounds of other instruments, there are still clarinets, trombones, pianos, guitars, bagpipes, and dozens of other real instruments. There are also collectors for vintage issues of those instruments.