36 drums · 6 brands · 1920s–1980s
The drums from the old records still play, and they often cost less than new. Here's which kits and snares to buy and what to check first.
Old drums get re-wrapped, re-drilled, re-hooped and mixed into kits they never shipped with, and a listing rarely says which. Each page covers one kit or snare, with its story, how to date it by badge and serial, what to check in the listing photos and the eBay listings we’d buy.
A checklist for all 36 drumsFacts checked, sources listedNo affiliate links
Know the model? Start there.
model indexDrummers shop by model and badge. Tap one to go straight to its page, or read the red flags in vintage drum listings first.
Badge plate · model index36 models
- Ludwig Downbeat Outfit: Downbeat
- Ludwig Super Classic Outfit: Super Classic
- Ludwig Hollywood Outfit: Hollywood
- Ludwig Supraphonic LM400: Supraphonic
- Ludwig Acrolite: Acrolite
- Ludwig Black Beauty: Black Beauty
- Gretsch Round Badge Bop Kit: Round Badge bop kit
- Gretsch Name Band Kit: Name Band kit
- Gretsch Progressive Jazz Kit: Progressive Jazz
- Gretsch Stop Sign Badge Kit: Stop sign badge
- Gretsch 4160 COB Snare: Gretsch 4160
- Gretsch Name Band Snare: Name Band snare
- Rogers Holiday Kit: Holiday
- Rogers PowerTone Kit: PowerTone kit
- Rogers Londoner Kit: Londoner
- Rogers Dyna-Sonic Snare: Dyna-Sonic
- Rogers PowerTone Wood Snare: PowerTone snare
- Rogers SuperTen Snare: SuperTen
- Slingerland Radio King Kit: Radio King kit
- Slingerland Modern Solo Kit: Modern Solo
- Slingerland 1970s Niles Kit: 1970s Niles kit
- Slingerland Radio King Snare: Radio King snare
- Slingerland Krupa Sound King: Krupa Sound King
- Slingerland Artist Snare: Artist snare
- Sonor Teardrop Kit: Teardrop kit
- Sonor Phonic Kit: Phonic
- Sonor Champion Kit: Champion
- Sonor HLD 590 Bronze Snare: HLD 590 bronze
- Sonor Phonic Plus Kit: Phonic Plus
- Sonor Teardrop Wood Snare: Teardrop snare
- Pearl President Kit: President kit
- Pearl Wood Fiberglass Kit: Wood Fiberglass
- Pearl MLX Kit: MLX
- Pearl GLX Kit: GLX
- Pearl Free Floating Brass: Free Floating
- Pearl President Snare: President snare
Find yours
browse byBy brand
Ludwig6 drumsDownbeat, Super Classic, Hollywood and moreGretsch6 drumsRound Badge, Name Band, Progressive Jazz and moreRogers6 drumsHoliday, PowerTone, Londoner and moreSlingerland6 drumsRadio King, Modern Solo, Niles kits and moreSonor6 drumsTeardrop, Phonic, Champion and morePearl6 drumsPresident, Wood Fiberglass, MLX and more
Most-hunted drums
Ludwig · Supraphonic
SnareLudwig Supraphonic LM400
Supraphonic 400
- Years made
- 1960–present
- Era
- 1960s
$575–$1,150 typical ask
Gretsch · Round Badge
KitGretsch Round Badge Bop Kit
round badge bop kit
- Years made
- 1961–1971
- Era
- 1960s
Specs and what to check →
Ludwig · Super Classic
KitLudwig Super Classic Outfit
Super Classic
- Years made
- 1960–1975
- Era
- 1960s
$2,525–$6,775 typical ask
Slingerland · Radio King
SnareSlingerland Radio King Snare
Radio King snare
- Years made
- 1936–1957, then again from the early 1960s
- Era
- 1930s
$800–$1,125 typical ask
Rogers · Dyna-Sonic
SnareRogers Dyna-Sonic Snare
Dyna-Sonic
- Years made
- Early 1960s–1980s
- Era
- 1960s
$600–$1,175 typical ask
Sonor · Phonic
KitSonor Phonic Kit
Phonic
- Years made
- 1975 on (still in the 1983 catalog)
- Era
- 1970s
$3,525–$4,350 typical ask
From our latest eBay check
Gretsch Name Band KitVintage 60’s Gretsch Round Badge 3-Piece Drum Set 20/13/16
$2,875.00 est. deliveredCheapest
Checked Oct 12, 2026
Pearl Free Floating BrassPearl Free Floating Brass Snare Drum 14x6.5 Die-Cast Hoops 10 Lug Used
$550.00 deliveredCheapest
Checked Oct 12, 2026
Pearl MLX KitPearl MLX All Maple Kit 1980's + Extra Ludwig Toms andPadded Gig Bags
$1,250.00 + shipCheapest
Checked Oct 12, 2026
Pearl Wood Fiberglass Kit1970s Pearl Fiberglass Drum Kit – Red Sparkle – 13/16/22 – Vintage Shell Pack
$775.00 est. deliveredCheapest
Checked Oct 12, 2026
Buying guides
6 guidesSell to us
Got a kit in the basement nobody plays?
Tell us what you have, the badge and serial, the sizes, whether the wrap and hardware are original, a few photos and your price. Our drum expert will get back to you quickly with a cash offer if it’s a fit. No listing to write, no fees.