HOW TO SELL YOUR DRUMS ON EBAY!

 "Better auctions mean more bidders & more money!"

If you know a lot about drums, and especially vintage drums, you'll be able to post facts and disclose correct information when you post your drum on ebay. THE RIGHT pictures will help knowledgeable drummers....BUT ARE A MUST for beginning drummers, drum sellers, and drum auction posters. You'll NEED to KNOW:

"The MAKE (or brand name) of the drum."

"The serial number of the drum."

"What hardware comes on the drum."

"What a throw-off (or strainer) is....and how to picture post it."

"What BADGE is on your drum."

"Which BUTT PLATE."

"What kind of LUGS does your drum have?"

"What kind of SNARE DRUM WIRES are attached to your snare."

****THE ONE THING NOT TO TAKE PICTURES OF (unless you're posting 16 per auction like I do) ARE THE DRUM HEADS!****

They're "NOT SKINS," rather plastic heads that give the drum its sound when struck with drum sticks. Very seldom does an older drum have original heads; drummers replace heads often to utilize a favorite brand name of heads. SO DON'T PICTURE THE HEADS....you can mention the brand in your description to give enough info....heads are relatively inexpensive to replace---so no biggie!

In the following pictures.........we'll enter "DRUM SCHOOL" for ebay auctions!

 Above is the "THROW-OFF" or "STRAINER."

This shows my snare has a Ludwig P-85 throw-off. Some cheaper strainers (throw-offs) won't have logo names on them. However, knowledgeable drum buyers can gain valuable info on your drum if you post all these pics!

Above is the "BADGE" on my snare.

 This shows the maker (Ludwig)....the DATE MANUFACTURED (by the serial number on the badge)....and the ERA of the drum (Ludwig used these BO blue/olive badges in this shape from late 1969 until mid 1970's.) Other drum makers may have DATE STAMPED the inner shell; or affixed a tag like Gretsch did.

Above is the "BUTT PLATE" which anchors your snare wires.

 In this case, my snare has "BLOCK LOGO" Ludwig engraved which tells us this is not only a Ludwig....but was built AFTER 1969. Some drum makers DO NOT engrave their logos into butt plates; however, the shape, location, and composition give drum buyers info into what kind of drum they're looking at.

LUGS.

The part of the drum hardware pictured above is the "LUG." I can see these are Ludwig "Imperial Lugs" and were used on 10 lug snares like this Supraphonic Black Beauty. Most drum makers (especially vintage American companies) use their own design, so it will shed light on who made your drum.

Pictured above are the "SNARE WIRES,"

which give your snare the "rattle sound" that differentiates it from toms and other drums. I have new "generic" snare wires on this snare; however, many drum companies do brand their wires, so you may find a logo. And how the wires are attached....by strings or plastic strips gives additional info. Again, like with heads, these wires are relatively inexpensive and often replaced, so the name on the wires doesn't always match the brand of snare you're wanting to list.

Taking a picture showing the inside of the shell

can reveal its composition (maple, mahogany, brass, alloy) along with what kind of  BEARING EDGES, whether it has re-inforcing rings, how many plies of wood it is, and which kind of lug retaining screws and washers your drum has. Since MOST bottom heads are clear, I took this shot with the drum sitting upside down. It's ALWAYS better to NOT sit your snare on its bottom head to prevent the snare wires from getting bent up and keeping the much thinner bottom head from getting ruined by the wires rubbing against it.

So....there you have it.....in a capsule! If you post pictures of these components, you'll eliminate many questions and gain more bids; BOTH GREAT THINGS! ****Feel free to check my auctions featuring vintage drums.....and read my other guides!****

IF THIS GUIDE WAS HELPFUL TO YOU....PLEASE VOTE IT SO AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE! I posted this guide so more ebayers will post more informative auctions so I can more EASILY buy your drums!

Go with God, and be nice to a stranger today for no reason.....it'll turn heads (and hearts!)

Keepin' it real, Sandy.