the problem with all of this, yes somethings works some don't found a Beverly snare for 30 at antique shop and old gretch 24 bd and thats were i found my 24 in trans stamp z all for 50 bucks but those days are gone, as there are to many of us pickers it all gone, far and few in between , just think of the trash dumps full and now donations to salvation army and goodwill so,its slim pickens nowadays....
cl still is the best if your first....
I befriend the unsuspecting on vintage drum forums and arrange a play date. Once I know where the good drums are, I send my cat in to do the dirty work and remove said drums from the premises. I've gotten some great kits using this open handed method. ... anyone seen or heard from LudwigDude lately???
> ... anyone seen or heard from LudwigDude lately???
I heard the cat got his tongue! :p
John lol
My son meets all kinds of people at his shop and on the road. People see me there working on drums and a few tell me of this and that they have/had. So I'm making cards for him he'll hopefully hand out to different customers and people he meets. Hoping to maybe score a few good things for a little play cash. CL is tough here lots of cats doing the same thing already. Like others said you need to be #1 or 2 on the calls or you lose. :(
I have one little 'trade secret' that has produced some really great opportunities for me. I spread my drum head business (which I buy regularly) between two local (mom & pop) music stores. Neither one of them sell, or trade in, vintage drums. I have a little stack of my business cards sitting on the counter of both stores. Anytime anyone comes in looking to sell a vintage kit, they refer them to me and give them one of my cards. I help them by spending money in their store, and they help me by directing vintage drum kits my way.
In N.Y.City where I grew up, it was called 'schmoozing'. You gotta 'schmooze' up your local music stores. It works.
John
I have one little 'trade secret' that has produced some really great opportunities for me. I spread my drum head business (which I buy regularly) between two local (mom & pop) music stores. Neither one of them sell, or trade in, vintage drums. I have a little stack of my business cards sitting on the counter of both stores. Anytime anyone comes in looking to sell a vintage kit, they refer them to me and give them one of my cards. I help them by spending money in their store, and they help me by directing vintage drum kits my way.In N.Y.City where I grew up, it was called 'schmoozing'. You gotta 'schmooze' up your local music stores. It works. John
Schmoozing is the best!. My now good friend that owns a great vintage guitar and vintage amp shop with a no drums policy started to put my cards right were every one can see them in his shop , Now when people go into his shop asking about drums or looking to buy or sell , i get the call first , in return i do the same for him . I LOVE SCHMOOZING
I befriend the unsuspecting on vintage drum forums and arrange a play date. Once I know where the good drums are, I send my cat in to do the dirty work and remove said drums from the premises. I've gotten some great kits using this open handed method. ... anyone seen or heard from LudwigDude lately???
flowers2
No LD, but I love yer posts, even when I'm almost dead!
It is often just serendipity though. and sometimes a seemingly cheap drum is just that. It's better to pay the right price for the right one than the same price for 2 or 3 cheap and always going to be cheap chunks of landfill.
I'm finding that too.
Except last year - I walked into one in a small town here and asked if he had any drums - he said no. About 15 seconds after that my wife - standing a few feet away....looked at me and said...what's that? It was a drum....although it was an old litho toy drum....it was a 'drum' - a nice one at that. The owner said 'Oh....I guess we do.' I bought it - very cheap. Both heads intact and great paint......50's drum.
I am not a collector but it looks like you guys are victims of your own success.
Tom
