I vote that you live vicariously through others drums via refinishing.

The kits you have veneered are top notch. Sell the less desirables and start refinishing others drums (for money of course)

Do you think Steve Maxwell keeps all of those fantastic drums he gets his hands on? No. But does he get to play on them? I'm sure.

I know its hard to let go, I've recently sold and gave away 3 sets that I had. To focus on the real vintage sets that got me playing in the first place.

Two days ago on Craigslist there was a Stewart blue sparkle clubdate copy for $100 with cymbals, original heads top and bottom, and working consolette! It took a lot of actually talking out loud to myself to stop from calling that phone number.

And by the way very few of us are professional drummers.

+1. Why not sell all 13 and buy one that really knocks your socks off. Camco?Craviotto? New Copper Shelled Q-Drums with an AK snare? The possibilities are endless...

What great in the vintage drum market is that kits does not loose the value.

I jump between manufacturers to find the best sound, not exactly, condition.

Life is short - leave the one or two kits you love, let other people discover sounds of vintage drums!

Wish I had a thrteen stamp collection instead of tubs filling my home.

Hey Jeff,

Understand your position. Spent 15 years collecting coin operated stuff. Hit a point where realized this is nuts. No need for 10 soda machines, multiple arcade games, candy machines etc. Keeping the good stuff and having fun selling the rest.

Working on my drums brought a nice change of focus. Still like the cool finds and nice restorations that the coin op boys are doing but with drum projects ongoing I don't shop for coin op anymore.

You interested in trading a Soda machine for a kit :-) Less room but heavy buggers.

Hate for you leave as you always have great input. Hope all works out.

Creighton

Thank you Creighton!

I think I gave this thread the wrong title, I dont want to leave the forum, I like reading it and responding to it. I just caught myself drooling over a snare drum for sale here and was inventing ways to buy it. Over Christmas I settled down a bit and figured, OK keep your 13 kits for now and later down the road sell a couple and use the money to take the wife on a nice vacation. I have been on a spending spree for the last couple of years, buying drums, for me and not thinking of others. Well this year Im going to finish up the project I have in the works for myself but also do more for others that need help. Im talking about people that have had their live turned upside down by tornados or floods or what ever. I have volunteered my skills several time's in the past and its time to get back to that. This will make me feel good again and not the selfish feeling I get by looking around at all my drums. So, anyhow, like I said before, I will be around, just not as often. Thanks to all for responding to this thread, your all good friends!