Hi everyone,
I am about to purchase a '79 or '80 Ludwig John Bonham stainless steel kit complete including snare, Speedking bass drum pedal and full house of cymbals.
Does anyone know whether these kits are valuable?
I'll only see the kit for the first time when I have the opportunity to view it later on this week but I'd like to get a feel for value of it in the mean time.
John.
John, I need some particulars, what are the sizes?, same with the snare drum?. what condition are the drums in?, what brand of cymbals, sizes, condition, and then all the hardware the same brand and condition.
I will only be able to give specs once I've viewed the actual kit. I've only been told by a third party that it's a full-house Bonham stainless steel kit from the late 70's or early 80's.
Unfortunately its all I've got at this time. I was thinking that if someone here could give me some pointers I'd know what to look for in terms of authenticity. I'm aware that the bass drum should have a cymbal mount on the right-hand side and should either be 24" or 26".
These kits usually came with a 15' x 12' tom and a pair of floor toms of 16"x16" and 18"x16" dimensions and a 14" x 6½" Supra-Phonic snare . . . . I think!
Any info would be welcome!
He also used 10x14 tom as well. The kick is the all powerful 14x26. The rest of your sizes are correct. For a true Bonzo fan it would be valuable but I don't think or know if they are coveted outside of that. That being said I could be dead wrong. I just know when I sat behind a Bonzo kit at Guitar Center it was difficult for me to play. Too big was my impression. Drumsets nowadays are made with a lot more ergonomic thought involved. Bonzo was taller than me and obviously didn't have a problem with it. I am 5"8" and it does make a difference. Being a guy who likes collecting drums I think it would be cool to have that kit but I honestly don't know if I would ever play it.
He also used 10x14 tom as well. The kick is the all powerful 14x26. The rest of your sizes are correct. For a true Bonzo fan it would be valuable but I don't think or know if they are coveted outside of that. That being said I could be dead wrong. I just know when I sat behind a Bonzo kit at Guitar Center it was difficult for me to play. Too big was my impression. Drumsets nowadays are made with a lot more ergonomic thought involved. Bonzo was taller than me and obviously didn't have a problem with it. I am 5"8" and it does make a difference. Being a guy who likes collecting drums I think it would be cool to have that kit but I honestly don't know if I would ever play it.
I hear you! I'm 5"11"!
OK, I'll give you an overview once I've checked them out!
Thanks!
I have both a 24" and 26" bass drum. and a 10x14" and 12x15" tom. when using the 12x15" on the 26 " bass drum I use a snare drum stand. also there wasn't a John Bonham steel kit Issued from the factory back in the timeline your inquiring about, it would be a pieced together or custom ordered kit. so it could have a 10x14" or a 12x15" tom. with the 26"bass, 16,18" floor tom's and as a price for said steel kit, at least $2500.00 in good condition, steel kits in Vgc condition bring a premium price.
Great, got that! I'm in Cape Town South Africa and a price of R4500.00 (roughly $650.00) has been mentioned so at least it sounds good!
If it's not authentic I wouldn't mind if the kick was only 24". A tom on a 26" kick sits awfully high even for me!
