Well, considering I didn't start learning, really, until last year, I just really like two thinkgs abput my junky old drums that no one else wants.

1) They are so cheap it ain't even funny....

and....

2) They just sound good.

I have no "nostalgic" reason for choosing MIJ, it is purely economics. I like the fact that I have a TOTAL of no more than $500-600 invested, and I know, whether I like it or not, if I really wanted to push it, I could sell all the gear I have for well over $1500. Cymbals, snares, kits, stands, it all is top shelf, or at least era correct and of the correct maker to get the money. My WMP, the blue sparkle Majestics, and these Orange Glitter Astros, I have had offers on every one, for silly money. I don't deny the fact that money is a great motivator, but to me, keeping the prices down on these old MIJ drums is key to my ability to continue to collect them.Jump For Joy

Yeah, "nostalgic" is as good as any word. In reality, I think "vintage" has stuck and that's the one that will be used -whether everyone has the same, exact definition of the term or not. Somewhere along the way, somehow, we will translate the terms, as needed, I think. If someone wants to call an 80's Tama kit a vintage kit, I can't really argue that, but, at the same time, I'm not interested in 80's Tama kits, so I don't really care what they call them! Chewie:Yes Sir

I think nostalgia has a lot to do with it. We have varied explanations for vintage, some involve age, some say only Pre '80s, some say pre '70s, some pre '60s, some include MIJ, others NO Way! And much of it depends on when we were born or first started playing.

I wish we could get together and define the terms used on old drums like the CCCA (Classic Car Club), and the Antique Car Club, and many US states

which all define a classic car as 20yrs. old and in original condition, not modified, and an antique as over 45 .

I feel their approach has two problems, 1-Its based primarily on age, and 2-its a moving target. But at least they have standards.

we need a standard for Drums!

Then we can begin working on Hot Wheels, and banana bikes!

On the subject of "is this vintage?" ...

I thought I would post a couple of links to some sound files. These are "older" drums. The first is an MIJ that is without a doubt a vintage kit with a vintage sound. The second is a good ol' 'mairckin kit with an unbelievable vintage sound. Enjoy.

Here's an excellent link to a vintage Yamaha kit for sale with a pretty good sound file.

http://www.maxwelldrums.com/1970s-yamaha-pearl-12121620-p-2078.html

I love this site for precisely this reason. They have some cool kits and you can get a reasonable idea how these things sound. If you want some education on the vintage Slingerland sound ... check this one out.

http://www.maxwelldrums.com/slingerland-maple-13141622-p-2234.html

I LOVE that 13 inch tom. Does it get any better than that one? I think not.

Amazing sounding kits, Of course the Slingy sounds great, with those big fat toms, but I'm really surprised by the Yamaha, I really didn't think an older Yama would sound so good.

How much do you think heads and tuning have to do with it?

Is there a thread about this already?

Not sure. There are gobs of threads about different heads and others about tuning. Catch is, it's always up to your own ears.

That's a standard size 13 tom. Listen to that thing sing. Amazing. It sounds bigger than the 14. Just a great old sound. It's precisely that inherent substance that focused my summer gathering of drums towards Slingerland. I'm working on several cool Slingerland kits this summer break. I do love the sounds they make.

Old Yamaha kits sound GREAT. Again, it's all in your own ear. I've always had an appreciation for the sound of Yamaha drums. You can make an old Luan kit sing a bit if you know what you're doing. If you don't, no worries. There's always an old Yamaha kit you can sit behind. They'll sound good no matter.

I played a gig at an outdoor biker rally a few years ago, we were the third of three bands before the headliner and we were told that the sound guy had provided a back line kit for the openers. I'm always skeptical and since the gig was in driving distance I figured I'd bring a little more than usual, just in case the stuff was crap.

To my surprise when I got there the drums sounded great! I was really surprised, I couldnt tell what kind of kit it was at first but I could see that the 13" tom didn't exactly match the color of the other drums.

After closer inspection I saw a badge on one drum, it was an old (possibly 60's/70's) cb-700, the mismatched tom was a pearl president, the bass drum had some replacement lugs, which didn't match, and the thing had cracks in the wrap with clear packing tape holding it down, the snare was a 70 or so Ludwig supersensitive.

The kit sounded great, through the system but when I got on the kit it sounded great live.

I was amazed and credit it to good heads, great tunning, and some tweaking.

I think you can make almost anything sound good. Maybe not in a studio but definitely live.

m

"The new generation of “not so modern drummers” is interested in vintage DW and Pearl as well. "

This is a quote by George Lawrence of NSMD.

I agree that the new generation will dictate what is vintage in the near future.

Does that make the old generation "vintage"?

I guess if I can sum it up, some people define vintage drums as those

1) that are older than...a certain age, say 25 years,

2) others say that they are between certain years, like 1930 - 1959,

3) some say that the term vintage refers to drums which are made by certain manufacturers during certain years, like '50s and '60s American made,

4) and still others simply say, those drums which are characterized by "maturity, excellence, and enduring appeal"

and I guess there's also a 5) a combination of the above.

So it would seem that the definition of vintage is somewhat subjective.

Maybe another poll?

This statement asks for a solution.

Is it really a recognized problem in the vintage community that there is not a "standardized" method for qualifying a drum as vintage or non-vintage?

The solution for a problem that doesn't exist would actually be a problem in itsself.