Great question for a thread.
In snares, Joyful Noise and Craviotto. Anything engraved by John Aldridge. Ludwig Chief.
In sets: that's trickier. Certainly the high-end DWs. Craviotto again. C&C. Hopefully Tempus will be recognized for their quality and unique finishes.
My guess (and it's only a guess ... a very uneducated and unenlightened one at that) is that there won't be much of a Vintage Drum market (as we know it) in 30-50 years. Nothing really stands out these days and remarkable or innovative or cutting edge. Recording has progressed to the point that you can make most any drum sound great in the studio. We are witnessing the lost art.
I don't mean to come across as a nay-sayer, but there really is nothing new and radical these days. It's all just stair stepped upon what once was.
The solid shell and the ply shell were introduced ... a very long time ago. As far as using different woods ... the Vintage Drums have that in spades; African Mahogany, Beech, Birch, Maple, Oak, Cherry, Walnut, etc etc etc etc. Bearing edges were worked to perfection in the 50s through the 70s. There's really nothing new or earth-shattering these days. The hardware innovations came with the big four and a few European brothers ... and was stolen/built upon by the Asian groups. Heads were changed over in the 50s with improvements ever since. No innovation, though.
What's left???
I agree.
I've got some Dynasty marching drums out of the late 80s/early 90s (I know, I know, that shouldn't be considered vintage yet!). I haven't been able to generate ANY interest in moving them at all. "Technoloy"-wise, they're advanced beyond what is vintage (snare throw-off, tuning capabilites, etc.) but out-of-date compared to what's available new today. I just don't see them as EVER being collectable. And for the most part I think the same thing applies to most drum types/brands built from then on -- they're in no man's land compared to vintage drums, and will continue to be.
Bill
I don't think there are any, think about this, back in the day there were four major American drum companies, Ludwig, Slingerland, Gretsch and Rogers. Then you had Premier from merry old England. Now a days there are so many companies to choose from it's insane. As for Ayotte or Peavey, they may be rare but they don't they never were that popular, that may be one reason they no longer exist. The big four American companies were all popular at some point and had a long history. Also, think about the time period, there are no Buddy Richs, Gene Krupas, John Bohnams or Ringo Starrs to say, they played drums like mine. That's what I think.
While I agree with you on the point of there being so many drum companies to choose from, I have to disagree with you on there being no Bonhams,Krupas,etc. Every generation of drummers has someone that is an influence to them. Growing up in the 70s-80s, I had all of the guys mentioned above and Peart,Peter criss(not a great player but still made a bunch of kids pick up sticks) and a bunch of 80s guys too. This generation has guys that can really play like Chris Adler for instance. Music changes with generations and so do players. These guys will influence kids to buy the same gear that they play, just as Ringo and Bonham did in 60s-70s. But, I still think the vintage gear will always be the coolest gear you can own. No mojo in the new gear.
40 years ago someone probably said the same thing about a thermogloss Ludwig and John Bonham.
I was thinking today:What is out there now (and available today) that will be collectible and command top dollar in 30 or 40 years (other than "Limited Edition" stuff and the like)?It's hard to think of anything. I'm not sure if it's because there is such a wide variety of things being made now, or because of the "been there, done that" mentality, as companies have tried lots of different ply/shell/finish combinations, or because the next 30 or 40 years will bring a totally new way of improving everything.I wasn't around in the 50's or 60's, but for those who were..........did we really think buying those Rogers drums or the Club Date Ludwig kits or those cymbals with the guy's signature on the bell from Turkey would be in such high demand 40 years into the future?What say you?
I call them "Future Collectibles"...
Craviotto Timeless Timber 600 yr. old Lake Superior birds eye maple snares and the 700 yr. old Lake Superior Birch snares...Any of the Craviotto drumsets...The Ludwig 100th Anniversary Gold Triumphal Model (only 40 were made of the planned 100)...The Ludwig 100th Anniversary engraved (John Aldridge) Black Beauty...The Tama Kenny Aronoff 5x14 (only 42 made) engraved (John Aldridge) TrackMaster and the 6.5x14 version (only 30 made)...The Yamaha 6.5x13 40th yr. Anniversary black/engraved snare (100 worldwide, only 20 came to the USA)...Various Dunnetts and D'Amicos will be worth a lot more in 40 yrs...
Mike Curotto
I call them "Future Collectibles"...Craviotto Timeless Timber 600 yr. old Lake Superior birds eye maple snares and the 700 yr. old Lake Superior Birch snares...Any of the Craviotto drumsets...The Ludwig 100th Anniversary Gold Triumphal Model (only 40 were made of the planned 100)...The Ludwig 100th Anniversary engraved (John Aldridge) Black Beauty...The Tama Kenny Aronoff 5x14 (only 42 made) engraved (John Aldridge) TrackMaster and the 6.5x14 version (only 30 made)...The Yamaha 6.5x13 40th yr. Anniversary black/engraved snare (100 worldwide, only 20 came to the USA)...Various Dunnetts and D'Amicos will be worth a lot more in 40 yrs...Mike Curotto
If you want to invest in future classics or collectables 'The Man' just provided a first class shopping list for you. Nothing like having a good road map when you're unsure of the direction of the road up ahead.
Thanks Mike. People usually have to pay for that kind of expert advice.
John
If you want to invest in future classics or collectables 'The Man' just provided a first class shopping list for you. Nothing like having a good road map when you're unsure of the direction of the road up ahead.Thanks Mike. People usually have to pay for that kind of expert advice.John
Always glad to contribute my opinions, many friends/collectors have helped me along the way, I'm just returning the vibe...we all know that there are more drums out there that will be worth big bucks in 40 + yrs...that was just off the top of my head.
Mike Curotto
As far as I can see, the most in demand kits come from the 60's and 70's and I believe it will stay that way. So much went on in those two decades as far as music and drum making goes it would be hard to duplicate. I see young guys who prefer the older kits, there's a reason for that, music changed much more in those twenty years than any other time period in history. I really don't see anyone fifty years from now trying to find a Craviotto or any other company of today over a kit from the 60's or 70's, it's just not the same thing. I don't even think the newer Ludwig or Gretsch kits will be a collectors item.
