How many drum kits have you owned?

I've owned 15 kits since 1969. Currently I own 6. My prized DW's, the Eames kit, 2 newly acquired vintage Ludwig kits, a Yamaha Stage Custom in sunburst, and my blue fade Pearls.

1969 Gold Sparkle Stewarts, parents gave or threw away, not sure.
1976 Blue Oyster Pearl Ludwigs, first kit I bought w/ my own money. Cost me $835.00 for a 24, 12, 14, 16 and 18. Sold for 100.00 in 1982. Ugh. Came with a Speed King pedal and 2 Atlas cymbal stands. Very uneven edges on the toms. I thought they were dogs at the time because I couldn't get a pure tone from any of the toms. Loved the kick though.
1982 Eames, birch kit painted and lugged to look like Bobdadrumma's former (walnut?) brown Gretsch kit. Presently on loan to a friends kid. The first drum set I got a killer sound from. Drove from Pennsylvania to Saugus Massachusetts in my 1974 - 4 speed Camaro to meet Joe and check out his drums. Loved what I heard/saw. Spied his tiny ad in the back of a Modern Drummer, and it intrigued me. Fantastic drums.
2003 Gretsch Renowns in gold, traded in. Didn't like the 5 lug rack tom tuning.
2004 Gretsch Renowns in black cherry, traded in. Stupid buy but I couldn't resist. I knew I didn't like the 5 lug rack tuning. Seduced by shiny things.
2005 Spaun, clear acrylic, traded in. Clear drums get funny looks in the blues world. Not good funny either.
2005 Pearl Session Studio birch kit in tobacco fade, traded in for below.
2005 Pearl Masters Studio birch kit in antique sunburst, traded in.
2006 Pearl Session Customs in green burst, traded for the kit below.
2006 Pearl Session Customs in blue fade, still have these.
2007 Yamaha Stage Customs in an oiled brown finish, gave to a former GF. I got that kit super cheap, $245.00 which included a metal snare. Didn't need them but couldn't pass on the price.
2007 Yamaha Stage Customs in sunburst, still have them but am selling for 200.00 to a guitar player in one of my bands for his home studio. I don't need 6 kits.
2008 DW Collectors, regal blue to black burst over exotic olive ash burl veneer. My gigging kit. I will never sell these. Love them to death. The kit in my avatar. Yes they look green. But the paint is blue. The outer veneer is naturally a yellowish wood that, after being painted blue, resulted in a very rich green color. I was expecting blue drums when I opened the box. But the color is unique, and luckily I love the shade. Green can be a very iffy color. With the swirl of the grain in the exotic veneer, and the rich green color, they remind me of a Tahitian sea. Or what I would imagine the Tahitian sea to look like lol.
2011 - 1966 Ludwig Hollywood set in champagne sparkle, just got these. My first used drumset. Impulse buy from the Bay because it was such a great deal. Turned out fantastic. Much more on that later.
2011 - 1976 Ludwig WMP kit I am putting together piecemeal, (bass drum had no hardware) even though the drums are all from the original set, I didn't buy all the toms available, just the 12 and the 16. Not fully assembled and cleaned yet. My intentions are to make this my gigging kit, as I wanted to graduate to a 24" bass. We will see if they beat my DW's.

Ah great memories....
 
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Wow, am impressed with all the kits and their history out there. Here are mine, in order of purchase since I was 40 (now 49). Started small but working up. I only have space for 2 kits:

1. CB Drums (sold)
2. Gretsch Maple (kept)
3. Taye Spotlight (12 - 14 - 18) (sold)
4. Taye Studio Maple (sold)
4. 1965 Slingerland's (20 - 12 - 16)

Am getting a taste for the vintage one's so heading that way.....
 
I have owned 6 kits and I currently have 4.

1) 60s Slingerland 4 piece, Sold in mid 70s.
2) 70s Gretsch 7 piece, Sold in 2011.
3) Sonor Safari 4 piece, Still have
4) Tama Stagestar 5 piece, Still have
5) Pearl Rhythm Traveler 5 piece, Still have
6) Ddrum toms with Pearl bass drum kit that I put together, 6 piece, Still have.

I currently have 5 snare drums and 12 cymbals.

Been playing for about 40 years since 1970. 54 years old.
 
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I got my first kit when I was 10 and just bought my second one a couple of weeks ago.

Yamaha DP series - 1998
Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute - 2011
 
I've owned 4 e-kits
1) DTX2.0
2) TD-8
3) TD-10exp.
4) DTXtreme I/900) (still own this one)

... & 6 Acoustic kits
1) CB700
2) Tama Swingstar/Imperialstar
3) Sonor Phonic Plus
4) Tama Granstar Custom
5) Yamaha Birch Custom Abs. (still own this one)
6) Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute Nouveau (still own this one)

...and snares - I've owned 21 snares from these manufacturers (Sonor, Ludwig, Brady, Yamaha, Tama, Longo)
 
Since 1976...

- Dad's circa 1930's Ludwig (still have pieces)
- Royce (garbage) 3 piece purchased new in mid 70's - (sold)
- Royce (garbage) 5 piece purchased new in mid 70's - (sold)
- Gretsch 5 piece purchased used in the late 70's and not sure of series since they were extremely modified - (sold)
- Tama Swingstar 7 piece purchased new in early 1980's - (sold)
- Pearl Export 5 piece purchased new in mid 1980's - (sold)
- Gretsch Broadcaster 7 piece set purchased new in mid 1980's - (sold)
- Yamaha Recording Customs purchased new 1985 - still have as my workhorse
- Sonor Select Force Jungle kit purchased new in early 2011 - still have as practice set

I currently have 2 snare drums.

Many other snare drums came and went as well since 1976.

Ironically, all sets listed from Tama Swingstars down, I earned enough gig money from them to pay for them all. In fact the Sonor Jungle kit was purchased using proceeds from a Sonor Signature Snare drum I sold and had enough cash left over to put new heads on the set.

I have one more set left to purchase and that may be it until I die... Gretsch USA Custom
 
In chronological order;

Although I have played since the late 70's, I only bough my first kit when I was 21 and could work to pay for it. Prior to this I had use of a1970's Premier Elite kit.

1986- UP percussion 5 piece electronic kit (analog) with acoustic cymbals- I owned this up to 5 years ago when I sold it to help to upgrade my acoustic kit

1988- Premier projector, in Hot Red wrap, 20x18, 12,x9, 13x10, 16x16, added a 14x8 natural birch 2005 parallel action snare and a mix of Premier and Pearl hardware. Later added a 14x11 tom, my first and only adventure thus far in recovering.

2006- Tama Rockstar Custom in Custom blonde natural finish, 22x18, 10x8, 12x 10, 14x12, 14x5.5, added a 8x8 later, refinished to natural from black transparent laquer. Tama hardware at first, as supplied with the kit, Pearl icon rack later, double pedal etc

2010- Traps e500/ alesis i/o kit- for home practice- didn't get on with this mesh headed kit, sold soon after

2011- Mapex Saturn in supernova burst, 8x7, 10x7, 12x8, 16x14, 22x20, 14x5.5, still using the pearl rack and tama booms mix, with a pearl 2002c and mapex janus hi hat.

I have 4 snare drums currently which I rotate depending on the gig;

14x5.5 Mapex Saturn supernova burst w/ nickel hardware, bought a week after the rest of the kit, on special from the same retailer, for £125
14x5.5 Mapex Black Panther, stainless steel snare, nickel shell, chrome hardware, my latest addition, last years model bought for £87 from ebay, brand new and still in the box- unplayed!
13x5.5 Mapex Steel snare- bought for £40, cracking little drum
14x6.5 Pearl brass shell w/ diecast hoops- no idea what this drum is- it;'s not a super gripper, but it does sound brilliant- my go to snare if all else fails.
 
Been drumming for a year (my son with me so I really "need two kits") and I have 5 so far.

Started with a no namer gifted to me from a friend-that started it all.
Bought a Yamaha DTX electric to play with my son when practicing
Bought Mapex Mars kit for $90 on craigs- cymbals/throne too.
Bought Gretsch Cat Maple (honey amber?) with all the hardware and cheap cymbals for $600-craigs again
Bought Tama Rockstar cutom (tobacco fade) with all the hardware and decent cymbals for $175 on craigs as well.

All in a year.

Killer deals and I cant justify moving a kit to a practice spot when I can get a half decent kit for like $200.... The tama and gretsch kits were literally brand new (no tension had ever been put on the heads) so I HAD to take them especially for the price.

Remember that play with my son so we realyl do use 2 kits. Justifying my disease.
 
7 I think. Still got 4 of them.

In Denmark:
New 1973 Tama 5pc Swingstar. Orange!
Great set. Gave it to my bass players 5 year old daughter as she wanted to play drums.

Second hand 4pc Premier with 4 Pearl concert toms. Bought around 1979. Everything was a total piece of sh!t. Sold.

7 piece top of the line Pearl GLX maple set. Bought new around 1984. Is still in flight cases in Denmark. They have not been opened for 20 years. I wonder how rusty they are -(

14x6.5 Pearl Free Floating brass snare. Bought 1986 I think. Still have it.

Second hand Roland Electronic drum set with Alesis SR16 for sounds. Bought around 1990 from a famous drummer in Denmark. Sold.

In Malaysia:
Roland TD-20 now with TWD-20 expansion card. Bought 2005. Still have it.

Gretsch Pureeood Oak 6pc with loads of Sabian HHX Evolution cymbals. Bought 2011.

Gretsch Catalina Jazz copper sparkle. Bought 2011.

PDP 14x6.5 maple snare with wood hoops. Bought 2011.

Sonor 14x5 COB Phil Rudd signature snare. Bought 2011.

2011 was a very good year -)
 
1979 1st Kit LaSalle 5 piece
1981 2nd Kit Saturn 5 piece
1982 3rd Kit Saturn/LaSalle double bass 11 piece,-1 snare,+2 Remo concert toms
1985 4th Kit Tama Rockstars double bass 9 piece
1989 5th Kit Pearl Masters 5 piece
1994 6th kit Yamaha Maple Custom Absolutes 5 piece
1999 7th Kit Peavey Radial Pro 1000's 6 piece but added extra 12" snare and 8" tom later.
 
Let's see:

Westbury with concert toms
Tama Swingstar (80's)
Tama Artstar II
Mapex Orion Birch
Premier XPK
Ayotte Professional DS (Drumsmith)
Yamaha Tour Custom
Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz (Twice. Still own one)
Gretsch Catalina Birch
PDP M5 LTD
PDP LX (still own)

makes 12.
 
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Gretsch Bass drum and Snare in high school the first D and B set, lol
Taye ProX kit....sold
Gretsch Renown.....still own
Frankenstein BumbleBee Bop Kit....still own
 
1979 Rogers, 1977, 6 piece, Silver Metallic. Still have, as a five piece with two floors.
1999 Rogers, 1978, 6 piece, Ebony, Sold in 2001
2001 Ayotte Custom, 1995, 4 piece. Sold in 2009, Still have the snare.
2001 Purecussion Flats, 4 piece, Sold
2001 Unknown, gifted
2002 Stewart, 4piece, gifted out to a young drummer
2002 Rogers, Mixed 1968, 1977, rewrap, gifted.
2003 Rogers 1980, restoration, still have.
2004 Rogers 1966, five piece(two floors), still have.
2006 Rogers 1964 four piece, still have.
2007 Astro, 1960s, still have, four piece, practice place kit.
2008 Rogers 1983, five piece, still have
2009 Rogers 1978, five piece, trading it out for a house paint.
2011 Rogers 1966, four piece, still have.

Currently the list is six drumsets, many more snare drums. I love the vintage Rogers

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I have never owned a brand new set of drums.
 
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in 8ish years of playing I'm at 8 I have sold some though.

Ludwig Stainless Steel
Ludwig Blue Vistalite
Ludwig Chrome-o-vistalite
"Custom Keller"
Gretsch Club Rock 26
Tama mid 80's Imperialstar
Yamaha Stage Custom
PDP EZ Beginner hunk-o-junk
 
1976 Aria brown sparkle Frankenstein - still use the snare drum, a rare Drouyn
1977 Black Pearl
1979 Blue Rogers - my only gigging kit up to 1998. Sold it in 2006 - a big mistake.
198-something Simmonds e-kit - sold a couple of years later
2010 Cherry Rhythm Traveler Gig Kit
2011 Crappy cheapo e-kit, sold soon afterwards. A mistake.
 
My first Kit at 12 (1976) was a
-**SOLD**Leedy Black Diamond Pearl (Different woods & Mahogany) 4 piece 12x8-14x14-20x14-14snare, Played all Zildjian A's. I couldn't sell that kit quick enough to get my
-**SOLD**Ludwig Super Classic Maple thin shell with re-rings in Silver Sparkle Double Bass Kit 12x9-13x10-16x16, 2-22x14's, 14snare as well as a 14x6½ Black Beauty Supraphonic & a regular Ludaloy Supraphonic, Also added Pearl Fiberglass Concert Toms 8-10. Played ALL Zildjian A's, 14 Quick-Beats (I'd imagine that if I still had either of these kits, the Leedy from the 60's and/or the Ludwig Super Classics from the late 70's or any of my Ludwig Snares, they'd both be worth a pretty penny as I took good care of my gear - even then). Stopped playing drums & sold my Ludwig Super Classics at age 21 and didn't play again for 14yrs

When I got back into it these were the kits in order of their acquisition;
-**SOLD**Ludwig Rockers in Red wrap 12x10-13x11-16x16-22x16-14x5snare (Poplar, Maple & other woods) and came with B8 Pro's which I got rid of rather quickly in favor of Zildjian A's, started with these to be sure I wanted to play again. I did! Traded them on the
-**SOLD**Premier Signia's 100% Maple thin shell with beech re-rings, cherry lacquer 8x8-10x9-12x10-14x12-16x14-22x16-14x5½snare-Kit was played on by Virgil Donnati at a clinic, played a set of Zildjian K's, K Customs & finally got Paiste Signatures, which I decided I really liked and played these up until my car accident
-**SOLD**Ludwig 66 Classics in Champagne Sparkle 12x8-14x14-20x14 (Maple, Poplar, Mahogany?...), no snare but was using a 14x6½ Black Beauty Supraphonic, 14x6½ Bronze Supraphonic, 14x5 & 14x6½ Ludaloy Supraphonic, 14x6½ Maple Super Classic, Premier 14x4 Birch Snare with a Yamaha wood rim on top, Premier 12x6 Birch Side Snare with a Yamaha wood rim on top, as well as around 10 other snares
-**SOLD**Premier Genista 100% Birch Blue shimmer wrap 10x8-12x9-14x14-22x16-14x5½snare
-TAMA Starclassic Performers 100% Birch White Marine Pearl wrap 8x7-10x8-12x9-14x11-16x13-22x18-14x5½snare, 14 & 16 are hanging mounted, this was purchased as a 10-12-14-22 & snare LTD Edition and special ordered the 8 & 16 from TAMA Japan directly, this is one of the few, perhaps only TAMA kits in LTD WMP with 8-10-12-14-16 (only kit I kept after the accident, though they stayed in their Humes & Berg unlined Enduro hard cases, & 22x18 Soft Bass Drum Case). Still have this great kit & the cases
**After the accident I got rid of ALL my Paiste Signatures, as well as my ENTIRE snare library (about 14 snares)

Was in a car accident that left me unable to play for 6 years. Once I started healing then came the 2 kits;
-TAMA's WMP kit, still have that kit as it was a gift
-Crush Sublime 100% Maple Ocean Blue Sparkle 8x6-10x7-12x8-14x13-16x15-22x20-14x6snare, 14 & 16 are legged Floor Toms (yea!)
-DW Collectors 100% Maple Champagne Broken Glass 12x8-16x16-22x18-14x6½snare, 16 is a legged floor tom (yea!) and have added a 10x8 to that setup though the wrap is different
As far as cymbals go, I now play Zildjian A's, & I have a pair of 12" Paiste Signature Heavy Hats & 3 Sabians (an HH 18" China, an AAX 10" Splash, & a fusion fast bottom hat), and finally I've got 6" & 8" Yamaha concert toms in natural dark stain, perhaps for use with the DW's, I don't know. Also I have gotten my snare library back up to snuff, nothing like what Aaron is rolling with, but I can get it done

It has been and continues to be wonderful to have access to this great forum where I can learn and interact with experienced & new players alike. Thank You admin's and operators, & thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to interact with me as I find my way back to one of the major loves of my life!
 
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1977 - 1985;

6 piece Slingerland recovered in chrome wrap.
4 piece Sonor Phonic.
7 piece (20" + 24" bass drums) Ludwig walnut stain lacquer.

2008 - present;

70's Rogers 4 piece. Black wrap (quickly sold).
6 piece Spaun maple, natural finish (still own, but up for sale next year).
6 piece Guru Drumworks prototype kit (never to be sold).
6 piece Guru Drumworks new generation production kit (currently being made).
 
Well...

2002 - Bought a 'Session Pro' 5 piece. Sold that in about 2005 to a friend quite cheaply after I bought my Tamburo (included the B8s I'd bought for it apart from the splash and china, which I still use).

2003 - Parents bought me a Yamaha DTXpress II electronic kit that I used with 'normal' cymbals as well as the electronic cymbals. Actually is a great kit (once I get over the hi-hat pedal) but is currently sitting in a box because I don't have the space to set it up alongside my...

2005 - Tamburo Ash 422AM. This is a Proel-era Tamburo so it's 'only' a mid-level ply set. Bought this on a whim (had some savings) at a local music shop. This is my 'main' kit that I use every day and other than a couple of hardware issues it really has been a fantastic workhorse. It wasn't particularly cheap (although I did get a discount) but it wasn't expensive either and sounds fantastic. Cannot wax lyrical about how much I love this kit, even though I'm not a fan of 22" bass drums.

2010 - Given a 1980s Pearl Export 'big' kit in silver wrap. Originally belonged to the husband of my mother's friend that had sadly died. He had been a military musician. Refinished the 10" and 12" toms along with the 16" floor tom to make a 'bop' kit to take to University. That was a very wise decision and it has served me very well indeed. The rest of the shells have been stripped and are awaiting a decision. Not quite sure what to do with these drums but I like them a lot.
 
Well I started with a early 70's Stewart kit
Early 80's 9pc Westbury
Then got out of drumming for over 20 years, and back into it 6 years ago
Current kits,
Sonor 3005 Rock kit
Ludwig Accent Zep Kit
Ludwig Vistalite Zep kit reissue.
 
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