I hope there will continue to be great respect for the vintage gear in the future.

Kids these days have way it too easy, IMO. There weren't no internet when I was a lad! (I'm 48) But now the world is being handed to kids virtually on a platter, so the awe and respect due for something like a Radio King, or Downbeat or whatever quite often isn't there, which is sad. Someone said it before, we live in a disposable society nowadays and I reckon the teens and twenty-somethings need to earn their stripes! I had to save like mad to afford my first car, where these days kids' folks just buy them for them! There's an imbalance there that needs addressing.

Having said all of that (and sounding decidedly like a grumpy old man!), I just want to make it clear that I am generalising here. It ain't all doom and gloom, and those few bright sparks out there hopefully will generate more interest and respect for all these wonderful instruments in the future!

Okay, that's my whinge over. Apologies, ladies and gentlemen; carry on dancing...

:)

It's because as an investment the Jazz sizes will never go out of style. Probably the all time best setup is the 20/14/12.

Another mid-30s collector, though I may have an old sole. My first kit (still got it) was an mid 60s Slingerland. I ve, over the years, become a Sonor lover but recently developed an interest in old Ludwigs. Safe to say, from my standpoint that the vintage/old drum collectors are not going anywhere.

I think nice examples from any era will always remain collectible. I have seen certain eras be more popular for a time, partly due to folks buying those kits they had (or coveted) from their youth. A really nice example either in looks or sound will always remain collectible.

I do think as time goes by desirable vintage drums will expand to interesting 80's and 90's drums.

Thanks to all of you younger drummers who are speaking up on this thread. Love seeing all the 30 somethings who get it. It is the sound and the mojo of playing a really interesting vintage kit. I know that I pay closer attention when I see a young drummer playing vintage Rogers, Ludwig, Slingy, etc.

Dave Clark five played a Rogers kit double hang tom

Yes, a Gretsch. Jasper shell, 8x14, from about 1980 w/square badge. Found mine at Sam Ash in the used stuff a couple years ago. They are fantastic drums, very versatile. Die cast hoops, mine has 30 strand puresounds.

The kid really loved it!

I keep an eye out, there are a few out there.

30 something fella here. Love the old sets...and the "American Made" pride that comes with them.

Don't forget that younger folks have always had the internet...which means excellent resources (such as this forum) will help many of them find an appreciation for older sets...if they don't have one already.

I am sure the 20 somethings of today are mostly just cash strapped or you would hear more from them on this forum already.

I honestly don't know if drums from the 1990's and on will ever be in the same field on Vintage. Something about them and the time doesn't make them as desired. Like I know a lot of guys that in high school and before had high end kits, top end cymbals the works. Not everyone. Then a lot of guys my age now are able to somewhat easily afford good high end kit. So the desire ability factor on them isn't as privilant. But with the drums from the 1980's and before, even now they aren't as attainable. Especially complete kits in good or better condition. I can shake a stick at how many Tama Starclassic kits I can find in great condition on CL for $1,000 or less. Can't same the same with any vintage kit. I'll see them occasionally, but some are over priced,wrapped in fur,etc...The way they were made,what they were made of, the aging of the wood, all these factors make these kits - in my opinion - in a league of their own. They are what every drum wants to be. The only ones I foresee being there are drums like Craviotto. More boutique,high end, non mass produced drums. Those are the modern drums that have the same pride and craftsmanship as the vintage kits.

I'm in my early 30's and I have recently got an interest in vintage drums. The only "kinda" vintage kit is my Ludwig Rockers with classic lugs. One of the main reasons I wanted this kit was that it was a USA made kit. I can't afford any modern USA made kits and found this Rocker set for $200. I think "vintage" will always have the cool factor and there will always be collectors. But like with baseball cards...what is collectible has changed and will continue to.

I don't think they'll really change honestly. In my roughly 20 years of playing, vintage drums have to me only gotten more desirable. But what has been vintage has stayed the same. I've seen the tide change with baseball cards and other collectible items such as Cd's,etc... But the drums haven't really changed. I thought for sure that by the time I reached my 30's that the 1980's drums would somehow fall into the same " Vintage " field, but they haven't, and I don't think they will. I think again a lot has to do with the amount of drums being made today and the ease at which high end kits can be found. Most are made over seas and the market is flooded. It's not the same with the classic US made drums, and never really was. I think too that drummers / musicians in general are a different breed of collector. We truly cherish and value these items, and play them. How many people take out and touch their " gem " items if they collect? No one really aside musicians. We aren't the glass case,plastic slip on,cardboard backing, look but don't touch no UV light kinda guys,lol. We're the " where is the sticks I gotta play it " type.

I guess my main point would be this. A cd,baseball card,etc.. gains or loses value based on the people involved. A top athlete comes out and rocks the world, everyone wants his rookie card. They find out he did drugs, no one cares about him anymore. A band puts out a 100 copies of their album, everyone wants one. Then they sign and make a few million, well now people want the music, forget the cd I'll go to Itunes. But as drummers we don't have the same things happen that effect our market. Nothing Ringo ever did or can do will make people not want Ludwig drums. And there isn't any alternative for a vintage drum. You have one, or you don't.