And a valid rant it is. I feel the same way about the 'drive-by shooters'. The way I handle it is; if the person asking about the value of their kit sounds ill-informed and sincere, I always take the time to respond if I have any helpful info. I simply ignore the always -blatantly obvious- users who are happy to 'take' without kicking anything back in to the kitty by contributing something other than their own self-serving for sale ad.

A matter of 'editing' for me. You've given voice to a frustration that I'm sure a lot of the regular contributors feel, but never openly complain about. Always helps to blow off a little steam.

John

Couldn't agree more.

...except, think about somebody who knows NOTHING about vintage drums, how to use badges to date drums, and has had somebody say, "Hey, those are *vintage* drums!" Clearly, this is the first site to pop up upon Google searching (using the internet, like you say...), and the words DIRECTLY UNDER "Vintage Drum Forum" are:

Ask a question, get an answer.

This might just be me, but it would seem as though this forum is set up as a magnet for these types of people, asking questions about their vintage drums. While the majority of people posting on this site know how forum etiquette goes, or at least THIS forum's etiquette, people who post here as first-timers should be welcomed as newbies to the world of vintage drums, and most likely, forums in general.

Just my opinion.

This is exactly how I arrived here...Before I joined I exhausted every web avenue in trying to find out about my Drouyn Dandy Snare. I found some good info and references to similar Snares but not this one. The site does say "ask us a question" and I figured that you guys would be a great place to start.

As a result a few people have helped me to figure it out and am waiting on some replies but I thought I was doing the right thing by posting it in the vintage section. I could have just bunged it on ebay and let the market sort it out but I wanted to be full bottle on the history before I considered even whether I would sell it.

So, to the OP, not everybody has a hidden agenda and certainly people like me who have little knowledge on the subject and a genuine thirst for knowledge on something which only people like you guys would know about.

In the case of my snare, there is not one picture or writeup on the net for this particular Old Dandy and I am very thankful to people who were interested enough to reply. In fact Troutsounds have asked if he can use the pictures on his site to add to info on Drouyn Drums which I am more than happy to have happen.

So perhaps, if anything, I have added to the"database" of Old Drouyns for others.

cheers

Ben.

It's a bit annoying, but I'd hate to see barriers placed up that might keep out valuable new blood. Vintage drum lovers are an awfully niche-y niche.

Those "one hit wonders" who come here just for a quick dip in our intelligence pool are gone soon enough.

Let them come and bask in our awesomeness, and maybe they will convert and become a valued contributuing member.

The thing that annoys me as a long time member is the people that use this site and the For Sale section and never or very rarely contribute monies too help the forum operate.

Don't be too hard on those who haven't contributed financially. I am in that group, but not for lack of desire.

I have been unemployed for an extended time and my income consists of playing in the band and odd jobs – never making enough to have any extra.

I belong to several boards like this one – some drum and some not – and all would like contributions and are worthy of receiving them.

Even if I had a little to contribute, I couldn’t choose which to send the money to unless I did them all equally.

Instead of money, I try to contribute here with my limited knowledge and a sense of humor.

Thank you to everyone who sends money. Someday I hope to be able to do so also.

That rant is totally valid.

I for one ended up here not too long ago searching for an ID on a mysterious marching snare (not a "price check" per se) and some refurbishing wisdom and...got completely hooked on vintage drums.

I haven't sold much so far, but I'm thinking I'll voluntarily kick 5 to 10% of what I get from each sale to the donations.

I can fully empathize with Ploughman's disdain for the hit-and-run posters who are just looking for a price check before posting on C.L. and eB., or are trolling for an offer, but some of these What's-This-Worth? posts are from drummers (and non-drummers) who have, for whatever reason, come into possesion of an old snare or complete kit, and just want to know if they have something collectable, valuable, or rare. They may not even be interested in selling the piece. We've seen a few of these posts from relatives of deceased drummers who simply want to know if they've inherited a piece of junk or something worth holding on to. I have no problem helping such individuals determine the value of their find. I just wish such posters would ask, "Is this collectable?" rather than "What's it worth?".

But as Caddy points out, this forum opens itself up to the online world with the offer, "Ask a question, get an answer". I think we owe it to the Admin's to honor that offer.