hi guys and gals,
thanks for all your helpful replies to my other posts. this is probably my last novice question for awhile.
just got a blue sparkle 20/12/14 kit for 1300 total with shipping. very nice condition, but not original - possibly one or more drums re-wrapped, non-factory installation of a collet, grey paint touch up on one or more drums, not the original configuration of the kit, although they seem to all be from the same dayton year (no tag on the floor tom).
I'm not a collector, and I do not ever sell great instruments, so resale is only of marginal concern.
they sound great so far - bass drum and 12 tune up perfectly. waiting for heads for the 14 from the company I endorse.
conversely - I have my eye on another kit, in red onyx which I like better 20/12/16, which is pristine. all original, one owner. sound great, and don't have the weird collet placement problem I described in my earlier post. they're 1870 total.
to further complicate things, I also just bought a dayton 22/13/16 which needs resoration - wrap, maybe edges, some missing hoops and hardware, but I got it for almost nothing. once it's done I'll have 12/13/14/16/20/22.
opinions on the smartest move? I can return the blue ones.
on one hand, they're a great players kit, the price was good (I think), the 14 floor tom is hard to find, blue sparkle is one of the easiest finishes to match, and I'll have 4 different size toms.
on the other hand, they're not original, I like red onyx better (but it's impossible to match), I'll have two 16's and no 14, I'll be 570 poorer, but I'll have a higher value resale kit.
other significant factors -
1.my first kit was red onyx 20/12/16, stolen out of my car in high school. broke my heart way more than any woman.
2. the purpose of these drums is to be the premier vintage kit in my commercial recording studio, and also for me to use on my frequent virtual sessions, so maybe I should be less nostalgic about the color? and rule in favor of the tom-size variety?
3. I'm not crazy about 14s for low tunings/pop/rock - they always ring too long and when muffled they lose attack.
4. I don't need another jazz kit, having a spectacular RB kit and a GMS custom copy of my RB kit.
did I get a great deal, a good deal, or an average deal on the blue 20/12/14?
what would you do? all opinions welcome.
sorry about the lengthy explanation...
ps, I NEED A REASONABLY PRICED POWERTONE. I NEED A REASONABLY PRICED POWERTONE. I NEED A REASONABLY PRICED POWERTONE. I NEED A REASONABLY PRICED POWERTONE. I NEED A REASONABLY PRICED POWERTONE. I NEED A REASONABLY PRICED POWERTONE. I NEED A REASONABLY PRICED POWERTONE.
