I chose the 60s as well, for all the above reasons, and the fact that I love the really cool wraps from this era. Regardless the builder, the wraps were just the coolest from this era. And the deep, resonant sound of the thinner plies old growth woods is so much different than modern drums.

I am working on a way to artificially age new, modern shells with a constant heat and humidity process. The shells are 5 ply Keller. This could make a difference in the sound and resonant quality in the short term, making today's shells a little warmer. And adding re-rings to these shells coulod give a focus similar to yesterday...just a theory at this point....

I chose 1946-59, so I'll go slightly older with my list of influences: Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Papa Jo Jones, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Louis Bellson, Elvin Jones... Joe Morello hit it big in the early 60s with Dave Brubeck, so he's close enough in my own mind to include in the same era.

Along with the playing, I just dig the drums from this era. Construction had become modern enough -- we still use basically the same rim and lug designs and the same basic concepts for things like snare mechanisms. We still had those warm, thin, old-growth hardwood shells. There wasn't the variety of wraps we'd see later, but the ones that existed were classy. While hardware was still pretty primitive, the materials were sturdy.

I'm pretty sure some of us would admit to having bias, whether it's the era we grew up in, the drummers we listened to, or whatever. For those of us born in the mid-70s, I guess it's easy to get over that bias since popular music in our formative years generally sucked. ;)

I choose this era to play in....I have chosen the 1900s-1940s to collect in.

Mike Curotto

I chose the '60s I started playing then and got my first kit in '69. But most of the music I like to play and listen to was from the '70s???? Seems odd, but after thinking about it, in the '70s most of the drummers in my area, either had purchased their drums in the '60s or couldn't afford new drums so bought '60s kits, and I envied those drum sets and always wanted one.

I think you'll find it's the same same... it all depends on who you grew up listening to!

:Snow Flake:

Not exactly....I didn't grow up in the 40's, 50's, 60's, or 70's. Yet I still feel that drums made in the 50's and 60's(Pre-80's in general) are some of the nicest looking/most innovative sets ever made.

I mean someone could say the modern kits these days are nicer and better built than the older kits. But all that these japanese and chinese brands are doing, is taking what was created by the U.S in the 50's and 60's and refining it.

I honestly don't understand why Ludwig or Gretsch doesn't make a set almost exactly like their old sets made in the 60's. Gibson and Fender does it!

I/We know what you're saying, and I feel that the people who have purchased the names, are making an attempt at making those old kits again...

15 years ago, I bought a Fender Squire Stratocaster, just to eff around with, I looked at my 1960 Jazzmaster, and thought, wow, this copy of an old Strat is better than my 60 JM... but, there was no soul...

I wasn't making an attempt at being rational, I was quoting my gut, my heart, my soul... of course people ARE making a technically better drum, but...

but, asked if I want a 67 Chevy Impala or a 95 Toyota Corolla, I'll take the Impala!!

Sometimes it's not about being "better" or more "correct" it's about having a soul...

Remember, I repair Italian motorcycles...Cool Dude

Old growth wood ... animal-based glues ... old world HAND craftsmanship ...

none of that speaks to profit.

There really isn't much of the old growth woods around that could be economically harvested for drums. The EPA and other agencies have pretty much ruled out animal-based glues for drums. Most Americans are much too fat and lazy to take the necessary steps necessary for real old world craftsmanship.

That's the sad truth of it all.

Not sure what you meant by this. Maybe you could clarify. Being vintage myself I'm sympathetic to the fat and lazy.

But seriously just not sure what you mean.

I think he is trying to say that america is trying to compete with the overseas companies now. So instead of taking a long time on drums and hand crafting them. We are now focused more on quantity over quality. At least that is what I got from it??