Downsizing… It’s hard.

Square

Square

El Conquistador
I’ve gone a bit overboard in the last few years. 8 or 9 kits have come through the door. I was recently at 7 in the house.

In a brief moment of clarity I realized, I have a problem. I decided to downsize a bit.

I sold two Gretsch Brooklyn kits. I’m ready sell the Pearl Masters Maple Complete. That will leave me with two USA Custom Gretsch kits (matching finish, different sizes) and my Bonham Vistalite kit. Oh and the Roland td-17 for practice.

I think that’s enough. I’ve even had fleeting moments of insanity where I thought I might sell the Bonham kit. Baby steps…

Anyone else gone through the mental gymnastics of realizing you buy too much stuff?
 
Square said:
I’ve gone a bit overboard in the last few years. 8 or 9 kits have come through the door. I was recently at 7 in the house.

In a brief moment of clarity I realized, I have a problem. I decided to downsize a bit.

I sold two Gretsch Brooklyn kits. I’m ready sell the Pearl Masters Maple Complete. That will leave me with two USA Custom Gretsch kits (matching finish, different sizes) and my Bonham Vistalite kit. Oh and the Roland td-17 for practice.

I think that’s enough. I’ve even had fleeting moments of insanity where I thought I might sell the Bonham kit. Baby steps…

Anyone else gone through the mental gymnastics of realizing you buy too much stuff?
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Too many drums, cymbals... whatever drag me down. They become a nuisance; stuff I have to store, move around and maintain. For me, 3 is the magic number for kits: one for practice, one to gig and one to set up off-site at a rehearsal space.

Years ago, I was like you. I had way too many kits and sold off all but a few. I still miss some of them but it became ridiculous.
 
A J said:
Too many drums, cymbals... whatever drag me down. They become a nuisance; stuff I have to store, move around and maintain. For me, 3 is the magic number for kits: one for practice, one to gig and one to set up off-site at a rehearsal space.

Years ago, I was like you. I had way too many kits and sold off all but a few. I still miss some of them but it became ridiculous.
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Yeah I’ve got a full set of Meinl cymbals that I need to sell. I also sold some guitars. I’m now down to 4.

I also gave away a bass. Problem is I just bought two new basses and two bass amps. At least they don’t take up much room.
 
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I don't have a problem with drum stuff, but I need to get rid of a TON of other stuff from my life....books, clothes, bike stuff....I am admittedly a hoarder of momentos, no matter how big or small.
 
Been there. Many times. I binge and purge. My biggest purge was when we had wildfires in the area, and we were on the cusp of being evacuated. While we waited for the evacuation order, I went around the house, took everything out of their cases and photographed everything for insurance documentation purposes. I thought to myself that it would be a shame for so much gear to be under my guardianship and burn up. I also thought, “Man, this. is. just. a. lot. of. stuff!” So, I sold off everything that didn’t have a very specific use associated with it was sold off (teaching kits stayed, each band’s kit stayed, etc…). It felt good, and I was sure I was cured of G.A.S. once and for all…

…until I thought, “You know, I should just keep my eyes open for outrageous deals, just in case!” 🤣🤣🤣
 
Square said:
Anyone else gone through the mental gymnastics of realizing you buy too much
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My significant other does that for me regularly !!!

But for reals though, I buy too much gear vs what I really need. BUT, since I actually write MUSICIAN as my job description on my tax forms, music gear is deductible as tools of my trade.

Soooooooo yeah.... No downsizing for the shiort to medium term.

I TOTALLY get it though, it can get outta hand fast!!! .
 
Yep just sold one of my kits. Now I own just one, comprised of a shell bank.

Might sell a snare or two to make some room. I'd like to be able to do more while owning less.
 
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Square said:
I’ve gone a bit overboard in the last few years. 8 or 9 kits have come through the door. I was recently at 7 in the house.

In a brief moment of clarity I realized, I have a problem. I decided to downsize a bit.

I sold two Gretsch Brooklyn kits. I’m ready sell the Pearl Masters Maple Complete. That will leave me with two USA Custom Gretsch kits (matching finish, different sizes) and my Bonham Vistalite kit. Oh and the Roland td-17 for practice.

I think that’s enough. I’ve even had fleeting moments of insanity where I thought I might sell the Bonham kit. Baby steps…

Anyone else gone through the mental gymnastics of realizing you buy too much stuff?
Click to expand...
What made you choose the Pearl kit to sell?
 
Yup, I have issues as well. Not as bad as some. I have three acoustic sets and two electronic drum sets. My Gretsch Catalina is a mix with a Maple mounted tom and Catalina Club (mahagany) floor tom and bass drum. I use this set outdoors or for gigs where I might have to leave the drums in the car for supper or other stops. It didn't cost much. I also have a Yamaha Live Custom with two different size bass drums. Honestly, the Live Custom this is all I really need but it is heavy...yup oak sounds fantastic but isn't light. I also own a Gretsch Brooklyn micro. Fantastic sounding kit and since it is small it fits tights spaces and as a bonus is not as heavy to carry in as the Live Custom. I use it for most small venues since it is so easy to carry.

I do have too many cymbals! I have a set of bright cymbals (Zildjian As (21" med ride, 18" crash, 16" Crash) & Dream Contact ride (20"), Modern Complex (Sabian HHX Complex (20" med ride, 22" thin ride, 16"&18" crash, 20" Chinese, Sabian 18" Anthology) and traditional complex cymbals (Sabian HH crashes, Sabian Manhattan Ride, Sabian Vanguard Ride, Zildjian K Jazz ride). Also have a couple of splash/china splash cymbals and four sets of Hi-hats (two bright and two complex). I often use two sets of hi-hats at a gig. One set on the right side on a closed mount. It is nice to have choices but I could probably get rid of some of the cymbals.
 
Square said:
Ow there you go. You had to mention books… don’t get me started with those.
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yeah...my old place had a library, which was pretty full. I have about 30 boxes of stuff in the basement, and probably 20 of them are books
 
I have two five piece kits( i usually play four piece), so ones always set up in the studio and one gets dragged about. 2 sets of hats and rides, 9 crashes (2 at a time) and 6 snares. Thats more than i need and most gets used altho some stuff is going up for sale. I sold a lot of things, even if i liked them if they werent going out the door the last couple of years. Thats what works for me. But to make sure it feels a little cluttered, i throw my mtn bike in there too!
 
Square said:
I’ve gone a bit overboard in the last few years. 8 or 9 kits have come through the door. I was recently at 7 in the house.

In a brief moment of clarity I realized, I have a problem. I decided to downsize a bit.

I sold two Gretsch Brooklyn kits. I’m ready sell the Pearl Masters Maple Complete. That will leave me with two USA Custom Gretsch kits (matching finish, different sizes) and my Bonham Vistalite kit. Oh and the Roland td-17 for practice.

I think that’s enough. I’ve even had fleeting moments of insanity where I thought I might sell the Bonham kit. Baby steps…

Anyone else gone through the mental gymnastics of realizing you buy too much stuff?
Click to expand...
Downsized in 2019 when we got rid of our lockup and I realised how much I'd accumulated over the years. Every one in the band had the same problem. All top notch gear that was too big to gig regularly

I sold two kits, gave one to a school and sent one to landfill. Sold the 24" Ludwig bass drum as I didn't have use for it but kept the rest of the Ludwig kit which was the only one that survived the cull. I got the Mapex Saturn for the little gigger (sold the Pearl Midtown which was a tough one to see go, loved that kit!).

Be hard on yourself it's the best way. The good thing is excess cymbals can go in a case and don't take up that much room. It really is cold turkey for GAS. It cured me lol!
 
I had quite a stack of cymbals I had accumulated experimenting to find a great set for my situation. I traded them in to my local drum store a couple of years ago for maybe 10% of their value and got a snare drum that is perfect for my situation. No regrets, I have a really ideal setup now and I feel like I helped Dave keep his shop going. ymmv
Plus other people can enjoy those wonderful cymbals that just didn’t fit with the music I play
 
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