Best way to acquire a vintage kit....Wake up one day and have Keira Knightly give me one after I fulfill the needs of her libido.
Keria Knightly?....Kate Beckensale.
..More OT,all of my drums are vintage.except for a couple of snares.and my Pearl DLX beater kit.I aquired them over the years,but I'm especially fond of my 47 Slingerland Radio King.WMP, 14x7 ,Super Gene Krupa model,with calf /slunk heads.All original.The drum is in round,and the edges are pretty decent.This thing just honks.
Any way,if you want a vintage kit,and don't really know what your looking for.there are quite a few forgeries out there.There's a guy in Canada,that is selling phony 60's vintage Rogers wood dynasonics.I'd say,if you really don't know vintage gear well,buy from a reputable drum shop,like Steve Maxwells.You'll pay more,but at least you're getting the real deal,guaranteed.And for the love of anything holy,please don't alter it,when you get it.If you want vintage sound and a modern kit ,with modern hardware,buy a C&C or Ludwig Legacy kit,that can deliver that sound,and leave the original vintage stuff alone.
Steve B