It very well may be that several thousand Jazzettes were sold from 1967. I don't have access to Ludwig's sales records for the years in question. But there were a few concentrated years when I searched everywhere for them. I found partial "almost Jazzette" kits everywhere. I found kits being called Jazzettes that weren't Jazzettes...and yes, there has been excruciating discussion over the minutiae of this already.

It's not worth $8K to some of us, but my contention is that it is equally ridiculous for any of us to speculate what the actual value of such a thing should be. To me, someone professing that it is worth $3K, or $1500 or $5327.91, etc. but not $8K is somewhat perplexing. Who draws the line other than seller and buyer? I've seen drum sets sell for lots of money because they are unique and rare.

No matter how common Jazzettes may have been or how many were actually sold, they have somehow managed to disappear from most radar screens. I know that not everyone frequents internet drum discussion forums, but it's hard to believe that in all these years, I've heard only a handful of stories about them or someone who knew someone who knew someone who had one. Maybe lots of them were sold and then got scrapped for one reason or another. I simply don't have the answer to that. I'm pretty sure there are other unknown Jazzettes out there...but as clean, complete and "right" as this one?....maybe not so many -like a fraction of your fraction! :)

we here are most likely the foremost authority on vintage drums to the point of being appraisers, so who's is the official appraiser on the site i think most of us here are capable on there line of drums ,for insurance purpose these drums cannot be replaced so total loss value should exceed what there purchased price is, im saying that each year that goes by it is not just another year of drums disappearing and rare set not available or to out of reach because of price, soon common vintage kits will be come harder to come by, insurance replacement value will exceed existing price points i think some here are right, for the now, but in the near future theses price points may very well be bargains as with any thing else time passing make things either obsolete or extremely collectable, as one thing that's for certain this is not a one only existing item at these prices its a start of a trend, a movement, or just an evolution maybe started right hear by us, to push up prices so be it this is the way of all things being equal from a purchaser point of view it sucks from a seller's point of view it still mite not be enough they being cautious thinking there worth more than there asking maybe testing the waters for a future time, what ever the reasoning this soon will be the realty so mark it down, this thread boys and girls the days of easy pickings are behind us now those 2 k kits will soon be 3k and 5k before you know it 10 k will be a bargain basement entry level kit maybe not in my lifetime but soon enough this to will be the way of the vintage drum collector.....

I wanted to chime in again been a few days. I personally think that the market for vintage drums, cars, clothes, salt and pepper shakers, basically anything out there is the same. It works the same way. It it is popular and sought after then it is worth money, if it is rare (depending what it is) it can be worth money, if it was common and people had them all over the place, it can still be worth a lot of money.

With that said Ludwig is looked at the "workmans" drums but also think, what is the one brand you think of when you think drums, ask anybody that doesn't know a lot and I bet you a good majority say Ludwig. So we have now established there a common persons drum, everyone knows about them. Now think this is a rarer one, one that stands out and makes itself different. Might be from the common drum maker Ludwig, might not sound as good as others, however you now have a rare kit of a very very popular brand that draws in all kind of attention from a lot of different people.

If what I read earlier holds true about 50 sets a month in 1965 then I would imagine in 67 it wasn't much more. So to go crazy we'll say they made 2000 kits a year. Well if only a fraction of these are the Jazzette then you could say 100 a year or 200 for the time you could buy them. Take into account its been almost 50 years, take into account the damage a kit could go through in that time, take into account that hardware might break, cymbals might crack, things might happen, also take into account of how many could have been thrown away, destroyed..the possibilities are endless. So when you see a ALL original kit like this that has lasted almost 50 years, looks great, has original hardware, and is under a common name however its a rare kit. It kinda makes it worth it. Does anyone agree on these points? If not that's cool.

Actually I read I think in Rob Cooks book that Ludwig were making 50 kits a week in 1963,then soon after the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan orders for kit quadrupled.I could be wrong but I am pretty sure that is what I read.

At this writing the Jazzette has 12 hours to go no bids showing

I am Ludwig fan,and if I had the money,considering Gretsch Bop kits go for 8000.00 in way worse condition,with no hardware even,if I wanted a bop kit I think I may consider that kit,it has drums hardware and cymbals and the pristine condition makes it one of a kind.I agree that as a one of a kind it is hard to find a precedence to go by as far as real world value goes.I think that as far as a U.S.A vintage bop kit goes that if a Gretsch is worth 8000.00 that that Luddy is too,but whether someone will pay that is another story.

I guess we will see what happens soon enough.It sure has been fun discussing it though.

Mr. Lud,

I love your location - have always enjoyed it up there in Traverse City!

I haven't posted here for a while but I always visit and read the various threads that catch my interest. And this one has, along with a few other people. It is great to have these "conversations" because it really brings out several good points from many different perspectives and teaches you alot about (in this case) not only about the Jazzette drum set, but vintage drums & collecting in general and people too.

The one thing that I get out of your post and totally agree with is that it is rare to find an old set of drums that has survived 50 years or more and been kept completely together in excellent condition. I know O'Lugs has made this point in the past. To me that is a very cool factor that makes a set (even if it were common) valuable from a collector point of view. To find these survivors of history is cool, especially when they were tucked away in someone's attic or closet for so many years & recently discovered or a well cared for set by its owner(s) through the years. I think of it as a time capsule that connects me to the past when I see or come across one of these sets. What makes it even more valuable is when there is a personal connection such was mentioned by Ludwig Dude where you actually owned or played such a set years ago.

As far as price and value that is more dependent to each person's financial condition - but let me put it this way, if someone has the means and that set represents that connection to their history I don't think it would be a problem for someone to spend $8,000 for that set, even if the drums did not sound so good. (Not implying that is the case.) It is like the person who has found a pearl of great price & goes out and sells everything he has to buy that pearl.

Either way it is cool to see these sets come up that have survived intact and in great condition for someone else to inherit & it is very informative to learn from these discussions!

Mike

As stated by others, I've learned allot by following this thread! I'm posting a picture of another Jazzette that sold on eBay on 11-30-08 for $3,151.99. As you can see, it was sold by ClassicVintageDrums. It was only for the 3 pieces, with no other hardware. While very clean and shiny, there were scratches and quite a bit of clear coat loss on the bass drum.

Now, factor in the excellent condition of the current kit for sale, including the proper snare drum, all hardware and Paiste cymbals... maybe 8K isn't that bad of a price... to the right person!

As has been stated, Ludwig didn't produce that many of these Jazzette kits, but felt the pressure to offer it. Let's face it, Rock N Roll was in full swing and the average drummer at the time, of which there were thousands, had no interest in anything other than the Super Classic, Deluxe Classic, Hollywood, Big Beat and Pro Beat kits. So, it really comes down to the exclusivity of this kit and completeness. Maybe it is worth 8k!!!

I have 2 beautiful '67 Jazzette kits, one is Blue Sparkle, the other Sky Blue Pearl. Both have snares. I'd sell either one for half the price of the ebay kit!

Thanks,

Bill

I know you do, Bill! But....IF you had this particular Jazzette package in your store, then what would you price it at? :)

Well, considering the hardware, cymbals, and a premium for the condition and rarity of the finish, I'd probably ask $5000, and consider any offers over $4000. One thing that isn't stated is whether the cymbals are 602's or Ludwig Paistes, which would make a few hundred $$'s difference.

Interesting. I thought you'd price something like this higher -especially out East!

Another question, Bill...

If this was a Gretsch bop kit in the same kind of condition and as complete as this Jazzette, then what would IT be priced at in your store?