I just sold one for $200...why does this always happen!

Your kit is rare in itself, but you have two very desirable items, the snare and the 14" floor tom. Many ebay sellers would sell these drums separately. On the other hand, your kit could be easily expanded, as 13" and 16" champagne sparkle toms are much easier to come across than 14 inch ones.

My main kit is a standard 4-piece, to which I've added a rack and a floor, making a 2-up 2-down configuration. I put both rack toms on a separate floor stand. Whichever route you take, never ever drill any holes in those drums to add mounting hardware, as that will impact the vintage value.

Cymbals are a personal choice, and all the main manufacturers have the sounds covered. I prefer Zildjian A's myself, though I have various Sabian and Meinl cymbals that I play with my practice kit.

The most valuable components of that set are the snare and the floor tom, for sure. But the ultimate value is the fact that this is a mtched Downbeat KIT -the entire thing -the whole shebang! How many complete Downbeat kits have we seen matched with the Downbeat snare? -a few at best.

Since it is a rarity, I would recommend getting some nice 60's flat base stands -just for the pictures. Of course you can use whatever hardware you like and whatever cymbals you like. But I would match it up with the right era stuff -just my opinion. Take your time and get into it. Since you're neew to all of this, please take the time and research the various areas of this forum and of Vintage Drum Guide for reference materials. All your questions have likely already been answered somewhere. But feel free to ask whatever you like, regardless.

Personally, I'd set the bass drum straight before anything else. Keep on Pl Wait how did he do that?Aren't the legs in the wrong place then?

Second I'd get a 16" floor tom because when you set your drink on it, they don't vibrate as much and spill it. Two sets that I've owned came with double floor toms, which one went straight into the closet and the 16" went to work.

Cool set. Just enough drums for playing fine vintage music.

I have a Downbeat set in champagne sparkle from 1964. It came with a supra--I just picked up a 65 jazz festival in CS to match (but in my mind it never will quite match because the jazzfest doesn't have the red felt muffler).

With some difficulty I passed on a downbeat snare like you have...which was also period correct to my set...because it didn't have a badge and needed some repair work.

I agree on the what the others have said about the lighter hardware. Your set needs to have some 1400 stands and a 1123 hi hat stand (but they are somewhat costly so consider going for hi hat stand 1121 if funds are short).

I quote from the above post because I find it somewhat funny that I have two Gretsch 14 FTs and one Ludwig 14 FT, all in champagne sparkle---but no 16 from either company. I always seem to be out of town when a 16 Ludwig in CS comes up for sale.

Enjoy your set. It's great!

HAH! Told you that looked funny....no the right leg wasn't even on the BD at the time and it was tilted to the right, but was being held up by the kick pedal. You can't see the left leg in the pic but it was there, attached but folded in and almost touching the shell...lol

[QUOTE=knavel;53104] I quote from the above post because I find it somewhat funny that I have two Gretsch 14 FTs and one Ludwig 14 FT, all in champagne sparkle---but no 16 from either company. I always seem to be out of town when a 16 Ludwig in CS comes up for sale./QUOTE]

It's funny too that I should have said that, as I once owned a 14" Ludwig Champagne FT, but never a 16"!

I have a '67 blue sparkle Downbeat but of course without the correct snare and I'm working on the hardware and evenually a Ludwig 16" floor. I put another brand floor tom (Jet) because it was blue sparkle and painted the inside to match the other drums because I like the EC2 clears on this kit. Good luck in your search! Keep on Pl

It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that Ringo used the wrong snare with his Downbeat kits! :D

I was going to take a break from the forum, but now you guys have me wondering. What's the difference between the downbeat and the Super Classic. Same legs on the floor toms, same legs on the BD, same funky cymbal holder on the bass, same tom hardware?

Or am I just way too confused?

I read the past similar question and it may come down to drum sizes, but then people are saying they have Downbeat sets with the 16?

Are the lugs different or was it the combination of drums?

"Down Beat set = 12 / 14 / 20 (with Classic lugs). A Super Classic set = 13 / 16 / 22." in another message. So if my set is 13/16/20, because I ordered it that way, smaller bass drum, how do I know. I always thought I had a Super Classic?