Hi Mr.Lud,

In terms of vintage drums and what we're accustomed to paying it probably seems expensive but lets face it, vintage drums are grossly under priced in my opinion. If this was a 1950 Telecaster it would cost $250,000.00(http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1950-FENDER-BROADCASTER-SERIAL-22-TELECASTER-/180749550872?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a15834518) Apples and oranges I'm sure but and there's a lot of counterpoint to be made. I think vintage drums should be priced way higher. Of course I probably wouldn't pay that(and neither would most of the collectors/sellers on this forum) but if that seller asked 10 G's and got it I'd say way to go pal. In any other instrument and I'm speaking of vintage gear whether it be basses, guitars, amps etc the price easily quadruples compared to a vintage drum set. Why the disparity? In North America the availability of vintage drums is common place but times are a changing and maybe for the good. I sell gear overseas sometimes at what would be considered exorbitant by our standards but it's a niche market and most customers are extremely happy that they can have access to such vintage drums (a lot of sellers will simply not go there for reasons we're all aware of). I never question the asking price even if it's completely unreasonable-I just nod and move on. There are all kinds of reasons including the sentimentality expressed by the seller which a value cannot be placed. I guess the long and short of it is vintage drums are a bargain compared to other instruments.....it's high time they started commanding better prices.

cheers,

vince182

Gosh darn that thing costs you an arm, leg, both your kidneys and a eyeball on top of it. I do agree they should be priced way higher. I will hate to see what my kit is worth once I get it appraised. I just meant for what people around here are paying it seems high.

I believe if it has sentimental value you prolly shouldn't sell it though. That's just one guys opinion though. It looks like a family kit and should stay that way. Just my thoughts tho...

Hi Mr.Lud,

I agree with you and I believe I'm from the same school of thought as yourself. I have the dreams of finding a 6 and a half Mardi Gras Dyna at a garage sale for a $100.00 bucks and yelling start the car but who doesn't here? (of course there's always the moral dilemma of telling them what it's worth but that's another topic!!) These are tough economic times and I'm sure it just rips the sellers heart out to part with a family heirloom with so many memories attached to it but who knows what they are facing? It just seems there's always two schools of thought around here- one if a person is asking for a boat load of cash for their treasure he or she is maligned for asking that much and lambasted as seen in previous posts in this forum. I believe this is simply because we're used to finding good deals and it's pretty much the norm which is the point of this writing. On the other hand there's 'what deals have you got lately" and everybody says "you lucky so and so" or worse...I know cause I say that too! I say ask what you ask for your gear, after all it's yours. No one can place a value on that.

I would say if someone could afford the drums and cymbals they should scoop them. Vintage drums are going to by hard to come by for that price in the future I'm predicting. It's just a feeling I have.

I have a funny feeling that Tele may not bring in quite that much $$$.

One big disadvantage of drum vs. guitar collecting is that you can store 60 guitars in the space of just a few drum kits. I, for one am glad vintage kits don't command big $$$, as it's the only vintage instrument I can afford to collect!!!!

The Bunny is right on target here. There are some vintage guitars that are virtually unplayable, and look as though they have been used as sledge hammers, and yet, they sell for mega bucks. There are also many of 50's and 60's guitars in the most common models and colors that sell for thousands of dollars simply because they survived without being completely rebuilt, modified, or refinished. It seems as though most of the vintage drum collectors draw their individual lines at more reasonable price points. Darn few of us would even think of paying $2,000 or more for a collectible snare drum or $10,000 or more for a collectible drum set. The outlandish selling prices for vintage guitars have benefitted those companies that are still in business. Fender, Gibson, Martin, and Rickenbacker enjoy good sales of their new instruments partially because of the storied histories of, and outlandish prices for the guitars of the past. Ludwig, Gretsch, Sonor, and Premier are the only current non Asian drum brand names that have somehow survived. And, I'm not real sure about how Premier is doing in other parts of the world after they tanked here in USA.

The funniest thing is, every vintage guitar guy I know (and I can play six degrees of separation with Norm, the dude that's listing the Tele) actually is somewhat interested in vintage snare drums. G.E. Smith (Saturday Night Live Band Leader) has a HUGE collection of snare drums!!! But I am CERTAIN G.E. wouldn't pay over $2K for a snare!!! I think snares are collectable because they can be stored in a small space!!!

Drums were always a tool, so to speak. They end up getting refinished more than other instruments and made into players quite often. The refin part is kind of the surprise as to why vintage drum kits don't go for big $$$.

"The refin part is kind of the surprise as to why vintage drum kits don't go for big $$$".

Unlike with vintage cars, refinishing a vintage guitar to look showroom new removes at least 50% from the perceived value of the same guitar left in beat-to sh!t cosmetic condition. Vintage drum estimators follow the guitar estimators rules about refins. I have been informed by some car and motorcycle mavens that there are differing schools of thought about restorations and rehabilitations of vintage vehicles. The vehicle thing is way out of my league.

Well for my 2 cents, I'd say that 2Gs is reasonable if not a bit low. I have a '49 WFL Buddy Rich Bebop Snare, in perfect condition it's worth around $1000. Even just a run of the mill WFL snare from that era has got to be worth several hundred if it's in playable condition. 2Gs for vintage drums AND Cymbals from the 1950's, seems fair to me.