Gary - Man, some of the kits I find are basket cases and some are cherry. (And every condition in-between!) It really depends on what kind of a deal is being offered. I'm good at restoring old kits and I love to do it, so a bunch of project kits that other guys wouldn't touch, are like Gold to me. If I run across an interesting kit in top condition, then it simply becomes a matter of getting it at the right price.

John

Mine so far have been all fixer uppers. Some pretty much basket cases with all 9 lives well spent. Like John I do enjoy bringing them back to former glory best I can. Far from perfect but nice player stuff for me. One day I do hope to find and buy a mint vintage kit of something that needs nothing. :) I can dream anyway.

Mine have all run the gamut as well. I bought one kit that had a Slingerland bass that the plies had been pushed into the middle, just trashed. Then I've also gotten kits like a Fibes kit I got that was immaculate, even had many original heads, just head a good fine cleaning.

Then of course those that are painted black. I've bought Rogers tobacco sunburst, Slingerland, wrap removed and painted black, and Gretsch starlight sparkle, paint black right over it.

Have also bought many kits/snares in all conditions. The ones that need help, I fix up and sell, but the ones that are mint, I have a hard time getting rid of. Takes some time to find that ONE kit that is perfect. Took me 34 years for the "ONE", but it is worth it.

I have bought some basket cases, and some that looked like they left the factory last week.

I kinda like drums that are a bit beat up, it gives them character and you don't have to worry about putting them in drum bags when you go to gigs.band3

I'm always in the hunt for Slingerland Black Chrome drums.

Most are so dinged up and rusty that I don't feel guilty doing a rewrap on them.

Have not bought a kit yet that is missing a part. Usually the bottom hoops and bass reso hoop/ claws/rods are missing. One exception would be my Pearl Presidents, they just needed a good cleaning. The worst was probably my Slingerland Gene Krupa snare that I had to steam/bend the shell and the rings back into round.

This is a fun hobbie, I dont want to buy a kit that has allready been restored. Since I dont play in a band (yet), working on the drums is half the fun, playing them is the other.

Jeff C

John and Nevin have hit the nail on the head here, at least as far as my experience is concerned. I landed two Club Dates kits a couple of years back that needed very little "restoring" and mostly just some cleaning up... one was part of a large lot and the other was just "priced right." Turned them both for a good profit. One time picked up a Pearl W/FG kit so cheap I almost felt guilty, because all it took was a couple of parts I already had and some cleaning up. I sold it fast because I kept the price down, but still made good money! However, MOST of what I get nobody else wants to mess with... and those are by far the most fun!

I am finding it harder to turn loose of some of the stuff I pick up. Just have to swallow hard and then let them go... and then on to something else!

Nevin, you talking about the blue sparkle Ludwig set you picked up in Tulsa? That was quite a find!

Bill