I think what happens next is that we all get too old to have the vintage collections and our family (or ourselves) start selling everything off and the cycle will start over. Just one take on it. The big collections may start to be sold off after the owners of the collections are gone - it's the nature of things.

Have you considered (searched for) vintage MIJs?

I was thinking on not but just can't do it thanks anyways

What seems to be the problem?

We would be happy to help you find a good one. I mean - Yamaha made R-380/360s are sleepers and some believe it is as good as any vintage drums can get (birch shells and great quality hardware).

I mean, if I were looking to dive into the MIJ world - this would likely be the best bet on the market right now:

http://vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=52287

I can't believe it is still available!

Plenty of old Sonor kits to go around! In general though where I used to buy a couple kits a month now maybe every few months and just one. Same with snares. Anyway I think the cycle will indeed reset. I doubt people will continue to see the super high prices 10 years from now. Then again I never bought anything for a retirement or college fund.

I did not mean it that way, I have a soft spot for mij and have seen some nice one and owned some nice one had sonor , pearl , my first kit was a stencil set red sparkle played it til it broke. I just am into the sound and looks if vintage Ludwigs what can I say and even the sweet mij kits are gone .....

Gary, I have a 4 piece Blue Sparkle Ludwig orphan kit I can sell you. I live about 2 hours north of Chicago so I can even deliver it. My email is; [email][email protected][/email] . Thanks, Jerry.

I think what you're saying is there's not as much available for the prices of years gone by. I would have to agree with you if that's what you mean. There are exceptions now and then and some of us still find one of those diamonds-in-the-ruff beauties. Prices have gone down a little - generally - in the last few years. But, I would say for the high-end collectibles like the drums in Mike Currtto's collection and some of the rare kits that they're getting harder to find. If they do show up they're out of reach for most of us. There are the lucky hidden finds once in a while though. That keeps the blood prickling :)

I can tell you that since I have been involved with / active in vintage drums (about 2009) I have seen it become more difficult to find MIJ kits (as these are my favs and my primary interest). The more knowledge out here, people are less likely to let them go for garage sale prices. Of course, this is not without exceptions. But generally speaking, I agree with you as far as I have seen (re: the vintage MIJs)

The exceptions.....(like the one I pointed to)