trickg
Silver Member
I have the opportunity to buy a Yamaha HipGig drum kit, and there's a bit of a story behind why I want it, aside from the fact that they are pretty cool and Yamaha no longer makes them.
As I've mentioned before, I'm a professional level trumpet player, and for a few years I was playing trumpet in a Baltimore area big band known as Blue Moon Big Band. The drummer was a very talented and capable drummer named Marty Knepp, and this was his kit. He had other drums, but he gigged this kit all the time - this was the kit he used at rehearsals and gigs the whole time I was with the band. (2001-2004) I also took some lessons with Marty for a bit.
A few years ago, Marty passed away, and it happened very suddenly - he died from complications of acute pancreatitis - he went from being ok to being gone in a matter of about 3 weeks. In any case, these drums ended up being purchased by the guy who is now selling them.
Basically, it's $800 for the drums alone, $1000 including cymbals.
My conflict comes from a few reasons.
1.) I don't really need them - I currently have two full kits, one of which is a Gretsch Catalina Jazz Bop kit that I just got done putting together, complete with new heads and cases.
2.) It's $1000 coming right before the holidays - I could probably find other things to spend the money on.
The main reasons I want the kit is because it belonged to Marty, and I think it would make Marty happy knowing that someone is actually using those drums - currently they are just kind of sitting there. I had mad respect for Marty as a musician, and he was a heck of a nice guy.
He used to always say PAGTYA - Peace and Groove to You All. As to the condition of the drums, these drums got USED - probably 3-4 gigs/week, plus rehearsals, for a number of years, but I know that he took care of them, even if he did use them a lot. Marty eventually bought a really nice exotic wood Odery kit that he gigged with, and these drums were in his practice/studio space.
Thoughts?
As I've mentioned before, I'm a professional level trumpet player, and for a few years I was playing trumpet in a Baltimore area big band known as Blue Moon Big Band. The drummer was a very talented and capable drummer named Marty Knepp, and this was his kit. He had other drums, but he gigged this kit all the time - this was the kit he used at rehearsals and gigs the whole time I was with the band. (2001-2004) I also took some lessons with Marty for a bit.
A few years ago, Marty passed away, and it happened very suddenly - he died from complications of acute pancreatitis - he went from being ok to being gone in a matter of about 3 weeks. In any case, these drums ended up being purchased by the guy who is now selling them.
Basically, it's $800 for the drums alone, $1000 including cymbals.
My conflict comes from a few reasons.
1.) I don't really need them - I currently have two full kits, one of which is a Gretsch Catalina Jazz Bop kit that I just got done putting together, complete with new heads and cases.
2.) It's $1000 coming right before the holidays - I could probably find other things to spend the money on.
The main reasons I want the kit is because it belonged to Marty, and I think it would make Marty happy knowing that someone is actually using those drums - currently they are just kind of sitting there. I had mad respect for Marty as a musician, and he was a heck of a nice guy.
He used to always say PAGTYA - Peace and Groove to You All. As to the condition of the drums, these drums got USED - probably 3-4 gigs/week, plus rehearsals, for a number of years, but I know that he took care of them, even if he did use them a lot. Marty eventually bought a really nice exotic wood Odery kit that he gigged with, and these drums were in his practice/studio space.
Thoughts?