The thing I find most interesting about a vintage set from that period (before I was born) is the fact that it is very modern.

It has fully tunable batter and resonant heads, a rail consolette, cymbal 'L' arms mounted to the bass drum, fixed floor tom leg mounts, colorful wrap and pedals you probably can still play reasonably well and comfortably. In other words, you could play a gig with this kit today and get by.

Just a decade before, Chick Webb was rockin' the Savoy with a big ole bass drum, a snare and a bunch of percussion toys all over the place.

We are playing sets not too different from this Gretsch kit to this very day, but I doubt anyone is trying to gig with what Chick Webb worked with.

Amazing, and a true collector piece!