I gather there are some Kent Drum fans around these parts. Maxwell Drums has what appears to be a pretty complete set in champagne sparkle. Includes the matching snare.
Kent was one of the first drums sets I ever saw at a high school dance. Never owned one, but they are certainly a part of the American drum scene of the 60's.
That is a sharp looking outfit!
My first kit in 63' was a WMP Kent. I loved those drums. I swapped them a year later for my first Ludwig kit, but I really loved my old Kents. Those are good maple shells. All they need is to have their bearing edges dressed and you've got a great sounding set of drums. The problem with Kent's was always the inconsistent bearing edges. They were sloppy as hell too, stuff like glue drips inside shells etc. and a lot of kits went out with -no bearing edges at all-! Fix the edges though and a 60's Kent kit can sound every bit as good as any other vintage kit from the big US manufacturers.
What is Maxwell asking for that one?
John
I had some Kents for a while. Bought a red sparkle bass drum and small tom at an auction. It came with a 14x14 Slingerland floor tom and a Ludwig jazz festival. I got it all for $35. Obviously I was after those two drums but the Kents served me well as a set at my band's practice garage. Eventually I teamed them up with a cheapo snare and gave them to the grandson of a friend of my mom's who wanted to play the drums.
The tom and cymbal mounting hardware left a lot to be desired but the shells were pretty neat. One long ply of maple doubled over on itself to form a "two ply" shell.
Hrmm I might buy that one :)
Too bad it does not have a 16" Floor tom . That is a super nice set .
I think it was $899. Bit higher than we'd like, but the overhead in the shop in downtown Manhattan must be very significant. If you're in the area, it's worth a peak. It's the real McKoy and usually loaded with vintage stuff. I made it in once a couple of years ago. He had a new Gretsch kit with a wrap close to Mardi Gras. Very sharp!
peek, not peak. Too early in the morning here.
Yeah they are asking $800 .I am not sure if they are negotiable or not . Sure looks like a super nice set and whether the anti kent people like it or not they are gaining in popularity . People are finding out what some of us have known for years . That they can sound amazing . Cut or clean the bearing edges up and those thin maple shells sing . I have mixed feelings about them getting more popular . I almost feel like my secret is out and it might make it harder to find them at great prices . But there are some who who will always classify them as junk . Whatever I love em . Viva La Kent !
1966bmx. Grab 'em before they go. You can probably find a 16x16 later. This way you even have the matching snare!
