I've had a lot of good scores, but probably the best was a '66 Slingerland Modern Jazz Outfit in silver sparkle w/Gene Krupa Sound King snare. Bought from the original owner, never gigged, beautiful original condition, like damn near mint the only flaw being a bit of rash on the BD hoop where the pedal attaches. Came with lots of hardware, some original, some newer stuff too though, and a set of Paiste Ludwig Standard cymbals. All for $450. I sold off some of the unoriginal hardware I didn't need and the cymbals, and now I'm only in the set for about $150. It is currently my go to kit.

4x14 engraved Conn Black Beauty. It was listed in the want ads in our local paper as "Engraved Black Beauty".

I'd got back from Japan the night before, and when I opened the want ads in the local paper the next morning there it was, about a mile away from me.

I gave the lady all the money I had on me, around 300 bucks.

Then I called up a couple of local collectors and asked "Seen this morning's paper?".

Im all in at about $350 for my 70 DownBeat Oyster Blue kit with 60's zildjian 15" hats and 16" crash, and 70s zildjian ride.

Ive had many good scores from Craigs List but dollar wise it had to be my Fibes kit for 60.00. No snare came with it but I have one now, its my worst snare drum but the rest of the kit is just killer, love them.

I'll share the worst deal I ever did. I bought an all original WFL four piece (matching snare) with zilco high hats, ride crash, crash, splash and hi hat stand, cymbal arms, speed king, wood block and cowbell along with the original calf skin heads and an extra set of calf skin heads that were never used. I paid $700 for the kit and enjoyed it for a couple of years. I put it on local Craigslist for $800 including everything. A local drum troller came by and offered $750 for it. I accepted it on one condition; that the drums are not to be parted and end up on ebay. The guy I bought them from loved these drums and wanted them to go to a good new home. The troller stated that he played drums in a local church and these would be perfect as they looked great etc. blah blah blah. I accepted, knowing that I could part these out and make much more etc, or sell on ebay. Two days later on ebay, I see the hardware pack go for $400, the cymbals so for around $800 total, the extra calf skin heads sold for around $300. The drum set was sold as a three piece for $800 and the snare got around $325. Now I know that the buyer could do whatever he wanted, but I felt like a fool.

I've had 2 "best scores" in my drumming search so far..

One was my 1966 Ludwig Downbeat Piccolo in WMP for $170 Cdn.

and by far , the best one was a set of vintage 1981 absolutely mint Paiste Blue Label Formula 602 15" hi hats..Price ? $75 Cdn, got it with a vintage Pearl hi hat stand from around '89-90,in mint condition as well..Both for $100 Cdn.

Still waiting for THE garage, church bazaar, sidewalk sale Ludwig to pop up one day..Coffee Break2

I have had some insanely good luck buying drums over the years, but the one I'd call my best score was my NY City Board of Education 6.5"x14" Acro. Snagged it for $20 in a pawn shop.

John

I bought a 1960's Ludwig red sparkle kit in very good condition, an Instanbul 16" crash and three speed king pedals for $100.

These are all great deals, but this is insane.