This Kent I have is a matching date stamped 1966 super-Kent- steam bent single ply maple shells- it's a beast

That's about when I bought mine. Traded them (and some cash) for some Ludwigs. Kent sold inexpensive instruments through places like the Montgomery Ward catalog. The sparkle finish on my kit had no overcoat - you could feel the texture of the flakes with your hand - not to mention, the chrome plating was marginal, the badge was a piece of foil, the hardware was flimsy, the snare strainer was the worst I've ever used and the heads were crap. They sounded only marginally better than the boxes they came in.

But I learned to play on them and even used them in my first paying gigs - so there is a warm spot in my heart for Kent drums. Single-ply steam bent maple can't be beat; so I'm sure your drums sound great. Back then nobody thought about shell composition or bearing edges - at least, nobody I knew. It was all about what brand you used.

By the way, have you ever seen the Kent red oyster pearl? It's one of the most beautiful finishes on a drum I've ever seen.

Yea, Kent's rock.

This one is a keeper. I changed the strainer for a Yamaha. The hoops are from Drumbuilder.com

Sweet...you really have given those babies some love.

Gorgeous set

Here's a great 1967/68 Pearl in WMP for cheap!

[ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pearl-3pc-drum-Kit-White-Marine-Pearl-60s-/231281439222?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item35d972b1f6"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pearl-3pc-drum-Kit-White-Marine-Pearl-60s-/231281439222?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item35d972b1f6[/ame][/URL]

and amazing Kent's for just a little more

[ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kent-USA-Drum-Set-22-12-13-16-w-Bongos-Star-Fantasia-Pearl-/251658181907?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item3a97ff1d13"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kent-USA-Drum-Set-22-12-13-16-w-Bongos-Star-Fantasia-Pearl-/251658181907?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item3a97ff1d13[/ame]

Pleased to meet you!

Okay, first, I'm a 'crustie'; learn to tune your drums without a crutch. Those tune-a-majigs are a fine way to 'learn' to tune drums if you have no one to teach you, but learn to tune them yourself. It's just better...

Now, you didn't set a budget. That kind of leaves things wide open, but I'd bet you've really got one. It doesn't sound like you're out gigging every other night, so let's stick with sort of entry level stuff - but good entry level stuff.

Snare: The fellow that suggested you get an Acrolite was exactly right. Just get one. For the money, it's the far and above best. Period.

All the rest: We'll go cheap, but not in quality. The least expensive decent kit would be an old (70's to early 80's) set of Tama Rockstars or Pearl Export's... Rockstars and Export's have seen the inside of more smoky bars than the floozie that lives around the corner from you. They are built well, and sound 'decent' with just enough knowledge about drums to be dangerous. Next would be Ludwig Rockers - but only the USA made. It says 'USA' on the Black and White badge. They will be slightly more expensive, but worth it. You should be able to find any of those for under four or five hundred in good shape. Even less if you're willing to clean 'em up.

Anyway, there's my suggestions for a good quality starter kit on the cheap. One thing about the Kent's. I like Kent drums, but you'll need a bit better level of expertise if you delve into them. Nothing wrong with them - not a thing. However toward the end of days for Kent drums, they imported kits from Asia. I don't remember who built 'em, but my guess would be either Pearl or Tama. Why pay more for the Kent name, if all you're getting is a Peal or Tama (at your level of expertise). Not knocking you, everyone starts somewhere.

Oh yeah, get good hardware. Nothing is worse than having a wanky bass pedal or high hat. You don't have to get road quality stuff, but get something decent. You'll know it when you see it, and feel how it works.

I recommend Rogers Big R either Five Ply or XP8.

Ploughman, your site on Rogers and collection are fantastic!

Regarding this thread- there's no doubt that you're right- if you can get a Rogers kit in your budget then do it. Same goes for vintage Fibes drums- in my opinion. In recommending Kent - I was looking for a kit that is collectible yet can be found quite inexpensively if you look hard enough.

Thank you.

The Big R is a fantastically affordable set of drums.