I put it into this aspect....SOUND! I don't believe that it will die, or go a different route, and believe that a 50's, 60's kit will always remain in demand to the next generations. Same way a Les Paul, and a Fender Telecaster or a Stratocaster is in demand. For the sound!

Needed to mention as well, that regardless of the collecting aspect...I wanted it as a kid, but could never afford it...now I have the funds, so I am going to own it! Problem is, I only wanted one kit or a snare back then, so I guess with age, comes hoarding!

Nevin

It's not hoarding if you use it and it's collectible. Hoarding is when you keep all the used heads, drum head boxes,broken sticks,drum boxes, the bags they come in, etc....

I feel certain that the drum sets used by the innovators, pioneers and masters of the instrument will be forever collectible. Drummers will never forget the names of Rich, Bellson, Krupa, Morello, Elvin, Tony, Max, Philly Joe, Ringo, Bonham, etc, etc, etc....we all know what drums they played and we know the colors, configurations, when they switched to a different company, and what fill they played leading in to the solo on whatever tune. I'll bet that 99.9% of the members on this forum know what round badge and stop sign mean and could converse for hours on the subject. I think the future of collecting vintage drums looks very bright indeed and no one will forget Leedy, Ludwig, Slingerland, Gretsch, Rogers, Premier...etc. Ok what kit did Dave Clark play?

I hope you are all correct. It seems the younger generation has no appreciation for vintage goods. They are a disposable society. It could plummet the market in 25 years.

On the other hand, I tend to agree with the above. I have seen some promising musicians out there. I went to my HS friends sons graduation last year who is a jazz guitarist. He was planning to play with his group for the crowd so I took a few snares with me. After opening my trunk for the drummer, he quickly decided to use a M4155 8x14 I had brought. He was in awe! Thanked me the rest of the night as we talked drums. Exceptional drummer at just 17!

Maybe there's hope yet!

I think for a lot of players we don't have as much of the disposable mind set. Mainly because for a lot of us we work hard to get the gear we really want. Especially younger guys. I remember being young and hoping one day to own even just a fraction of what I have now. I still am in awe at what is in my collection. As others have said you grew up with this or that out of reach, and then when you could get it you went for it. I don't think that will ever go away.

Me too! My first kit had all cracked cymbals, and a $20 set of hi hats from the local pawn shop. I had hoped to one day buy Zildjians that weren't cracked! Never imagined spending $300 or more on a ride cymbal then.

schmeggegie could you fill me in on what a M4155 is?

I think that is a Gretsch snare if I am not mistaken.

Interesting discussion. I'm probably on the younger end of this forum too (33), but I have plenty of peers of a similar age who appreciate vintage gear. Not just drums, all instruments.

I'd like to know people's opinion on something: why do you think the prices for 50's and 60's bop kits and vintage drums (particularly those suited for jazz playing) went through the roof in the last 15-20 years?

My theory is that a generation of drummers reached retirement age and wanted the coveted gear of their youth. The timeline is about right. If that's true, then maybe the high end kits of the 1970's are the next big thing? And maybe I'm wrong, I can't speak for the boomers. But the market seemed to go crazy fairly suddenly at some point.

I think a lot of it has to do with A - demand. As you said certain generations were able top now afford the drums of their youth. B - Less and less we see certain complete unmolested kits. And bop kits in particular tend to be on the rare side. C - They just sound awesome. They have a feel that for me I don't get with newer drums. That's my personal opinion on the question, might be right, could be wrong. But I think it's a variation of things.

Honestly though I don't believe drums from the later 1970's and on will be coveted the same way. It's not that they are bad drums, but they became more mass produced and some of the " human " equation is lost. For instance - we know that years ago when Ludwig would run low on badges they would re-fill the box before it was empty. This has left us with some drums that badge wise don't match to the year they were made. Little things like that as well as transition badges,different hardware,etc... has made these drums desirable. It adds a certain mystique.