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Where Do You Draw The Line? Last viewed: 10 minutes ago

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Recently I was fortunate enough to find a Ludwig Oyster Blue Pearl Super Classic kit, which I purchased from the original owner. It's a really clean kit and included the Supra that came with it from the factory.

Periodically I like to take a look at the asking prices as well as selling prices for vintage Ludwig snares simply to check out the current market. Obviously the selling prices have much more relevance than the asking prices. This morning I happened to run across this listing on e-Bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/TIME-CAPSULE-Ludwig-Blue-Oyster-Pearl-snare-w-case-/160511094114?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item255f34ed62.

Although the drum appears to be in extremely sound condition, cosmetically speaking, the post got me wondering how much a player and/or collector would actually be willing to pay for a particular snare drum? In other words, where do you draw the line? Eye Ball

I realize that this particular drum is being described as a "time capsule" and a "10 on a scale of 10." Whether or not you happen to agree with this assessment, would you actually be willing to pay the current asking price assuming that funding was not an issue for you? If your answer is "yes" what would be your intent --To use the drum simply as a display piece? To use the drum to complete a currently owned Oyster Blue Pearl Luddy kit? To purchase the drum as an "investment"? Some other ideas?

To a larger extent, I guess I'd also like to hear stories about the most money you've ever spent on a vintage snare drum and your rationale behind the purchase. Looking back do you believe that you made a "wise choice" or did you just happen to be a "compulsive buyer" caught in a weak moment?

I keep thinking of the phrase "there's a fine line between genius and insanity" and wonder where most of us fit in? No input from wives and/or significant others, please. I think most us know where they stand on the issue!LoLoLoLo

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
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From OldSchool

I keep thinking of the phrase "there's a fine line between genius and insanity" and wonder where most of us fit in?

Hmmm...sounds like something David St. Hubbins once said...."There's a fine line between stupid and clever...." LoLoLoLo

Posted on 14 years ago
#2
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Now, to seriously answer the question....I think that the price is waaay too high for what the drum is. Is it rare? Not really. Blue oyster was about as popular as black oyster back then. It's a Jazz Festival.....and those aren't particularly rare. It would be deemed a "closet classic" and that's about it. Condition rare? Yes. Worth that kind of money? I don't think so. $800 tops! The only way I say it could be worth even close to that figure is if it was once owned my a celebrity drummer, and obviously it wasn't because it's part of a "student" kit.

I don't even recall a Gretsch snare drum or a wood shell Rogers Dynasonic bringing any where close to that money, and those drums usually bring a premium!

Just another seller with pipe dreams and no clue as to what the real value is. Eye Ball

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 3972 Threads: 180
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The most I've ever spent on a 'vintage' snare is about 400 or so. It's hard to justify more than that for just one drum. It's just a snare drum, by gosh. It's not a motorcycle or a boat or some other item that would warrant that kind of money. It's one drum. That's why I will most likely never own a wood Dyna. I just could not justify that kind of money for a snare. I am by no means tight, but I am wise with my money. When you see numbers like that, it's just a fools investment to me. That's my line and I can't really see myself crossing it.

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
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I've never spent over $500.00 for a snare drum, but to that occasion, I sold it for double my money so it was a good Investment, which is why I bought it, it was a craviotto collector series DW Dark Walnut snare, Johnny had made four different wood types, a collector bud of mine was collecting all four different drums and this was the one he couldn't find!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
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It seems like all collectible snare drums are way out of my price range, especially when they get over four or five hundred simoleons. Surely that price is a typo! The most I've ever spent on a snare was $650 for a maple that I had made custom to my exact specifications. After 7 years and over four hundred gigs, it has never let me down. That is value to me as a working drummer. As a collector, I search for things that I can play as well. I know guys that hoard up old stuff and watch the dust grow. They don't play and they won't sell to a working artist either. If things sell for too high of a price, they will never be used for their intended purpose, and that is sad. If I were a cosmic dude, I would feel some rift in the universe every time an old drum gets shelved. Back to that Ludwig, I have a beat up 6 lugger from the fifties. I can't get it to tune up high enough to serve my musical purposes. Maybe that 8 lugger can, but for that price it better play 32nd singles by itself and lay golden records!!!

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
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I have paid over $500 for a couple of snares that I no longer own. I buy drums more as a player than a collector and the best drums in my arsenal all cost $50 or less. This includes a '28 10 lug BB, a 1920 6 lud Luddy NOB, a Luddy COB supra from the early 60s and 7" RK with aluminum badge. I feel like God wanted me to have these drums to make music to make my fellow humans sing and dance with joy.

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
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Hi guys...I don't know if any of you remember but I recall a drum like that one going for over 3000 (yes 3 zero's) a few months ago on ebay.The most I ever paid for a drum was 300 for my jazzfest.I have seen drums go for insane prices both ways in recent months.There was a vintage Tame bell brass snare all original parts about 2 months ago on ebay that went for....7500.I guess if sombody wants it bad enough..and they have the cash.Those are the people that seem to be "fixing"prices on drums these days...not true players or expert collectors...just my opinion..and i think its a real shame.

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
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Ive paid slightly over 800 for a single snare drum. And, just under 700. Right at 500 for maybe four others.

If the Beavertail Red Ripple Rogers Dynasonic showed up for sale, ........ I would expect to pay something very close to the price of the drum you posted above.

Ive seen some Dynasonics over 4000.00, while the average price range is about 1800-2500.

If you want to know about big buck snares, as Mike Curotto, but then those are worthy of big buck prices.

Rogers Drums Big R era 1975-1984 Dating Guide.
http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=24048
Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 5176 Threads: 188
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My memory is bad for screen names, but it wasn't that long ago that there was a guy one here looking for a drum with a very particular pattern quality to the oyster pearl -and he willingly paid over $3K for a drum that was close to what he wanted....but not exactly what he wanted. In fact, I think he said the drum he DID want was owned by another forum member who has it as part of a matched set and wasn't going to let it go and break up the matched set.

Anyway, I guess the point is that we all draw our own line as to what we will pay. How rare it is when the drum(s) we perceive as "perfect" come along....and when they do, it can become a "sky's the limit" situation. A Rolls Royce costs too much, too. It's just a car. But, people buy them. Are those people dumb for paying that much for a car? Yes...but they're dumb inside a Rolls Royce while all I can do is honk at them in my Honda! :)

In general, that's a lot of money to pay for any snare drum (in my book).

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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