Have you read most of the post on here if any of us stated it's getting better please show it to me?? the economy sucks. I live in the south our unemployment in my area is at high teens to low twenty's really, fuel cost. food cost. health cost are all up. that has an definite impact on discretionary spending Ie... musically instruments etc.I have shown the new Guitar price guide for vintage guitars, they are down dramatically from early 2000's. a pre CBS strat used to cost you 25 grand and up to 80 grand now they are in the teens. this is reflective of the entire industry.

I think you are both right. I live in Denver, the economy here is GREATLY improved. Real estate has bounced back almost exactly to where it was before the recession started and unemployment is right around 7%, not ideal but way better than teens. But I work in Tampa a lot, I'm down there every few weeks. Florida seems to be stuck to the same condition it was three or four years ago. I see very little improvement there. It's definitely a mixed bag out there.

Have you tried researching this on your own? Every economic factor has improved. The vectors for all negative economic trends were going up, but for the last three years all vectors are going down. Which is better? 7.6 UE going up in '08, or 7.6 UE going down today? Not everyone reports their personal situation, and it won't matter anyhow, personal anecdotes do not indicate the health of the economy. The south is in a difficult position. They appear to like their independence, but then are dependent on Fed $.

We should stop before it gets too political!

I work at a Community College.. generally when the economy trends down our enrollment trends up and when it trends up we flatten out.. we are flattening out right now after years of insane growth.

Like 99% of you I have been buying/selling (mostly watching) stuff on ebay for a long time. No evidence to back it up but it seems like prices have stayed pretty level.

If you watch Antiques Road Show they have special episodes where they show how stuff they appraised in past shows has changed in value... some stuff goes up and some stuff goes down. The market is just like that for collectable stuff like drums...

So... my economic analysis says... there are many micro economic up turns but... it is not on a macro level at this point.

The unfortunate fact is that the economy is what ever you perceive it to be. If the leading economic indicators are improving but you recently lost your job, guess what? The economy sucks!

If the reverse is true, indicators down, but your 401k or investment portfolio takes a little spike well for you the economy is good. If the housing market is down but your house sells for more than you expected then again you feel the economy is good.

Indicators are nowhere near perfect but our limited experiences shape our perceptions, and that will impact the economy. Some say it's a self fulfilling prophecy!

I will say that in my opinion, from my perspective, the economy is still limping along. I'm thinking about moving from upstate NY to So. Cal and have been talking about it for several years. I'm seeing houses like mine sell for considerably less then they were just a few years ago, and similar houses in Orange Cty, while still triple what my house value is, down considerably as well. In addition I've averaged about a 4.6% (down from 6%) return on my 401K, my school has experienced lower enrollment, than in the past, and I have found it harder to sell some of the high end gear that I have, than in the past. So for me it seems that that economy is not so good. But that's just my opinion, what do I know!

The economy as a whole is very fragile.....we depend on the world market, getting a 'raise' in pay - etc. etc. ....which drives prices up..eventually and the cycle continues...only for a few decades. This generation may live on the edge and not see a world-wide depression/recession but I feel for the young folks out there. I really think that post WWII up to the early 70's were the best decades we will ever see - unless something very good rises out of the ashes. I don't mean to sound too negative but you just have to look around....we're doing the Planet in and nature is going to win and bounce back.

Happy drumming and happy eBayin....Soap Box

I am sure the macro economics is better in some areas and slower to emerge in others. It is still fragile in my opinion. My curiosity was based on the availability of vintage drums at lower prices. Perhaps the enthusiasts are uncovering more and more attic and garage pieces and so they are more available. Also, restoration is becoming a hobby by virtue of information sharing (I would not have tried it before this site).

Maybe it is dumb luck, but cyms, drums, hardware I purchased at market 3 years ago are cheaper now. The stuff I sold would not bring the same prices today, but the wine and beer is up 20%. I am not concerned, just curious.

Though, I am concerned about those folks, and I know many, who have spent down there savings due to lay offs or lost their business and are having a tough time getting back to work. That's it on this topic for me. Time to play my old drums and be thankful that after 40 years I got the Ludwigs I wanted in 1967. I am cool now!

I am concerned. I can live with spending a few extra bucks to get that shell or those lugs I need, but when Guiness goes up 20%, now I get concerned.

Well all I know is it's getting harder and harder to get gigs to take my vintage drums out and play, and while the cost of everything goes up, I'm not making much more than I made 10 years ago.