For the record: I was just playing Devil's advocate about parting out and the term "cannibal" automatically suggests that it is taboo. I was sickened when I first realized that sellers were breaking up wonderful drum sets and piecing them out. I also agree that an orphan really is just betw/ homes.:o

This is obviously a hot topic Cooked Egg and I respect peoples opinions.

Aaah so. You and I (and many others, I'm sure) are in complete agreement.

I realize no arena would be suitable to stop the practice, and I lament the "code" that was once adhered to by the greater majority in the "old days" than are present in these times. Then there were only hundreds of enthusiasts and dealers; now there are a million.

Hey Kevins--Bowing to you..i have been a collector and vintage drum dealer for over 30+ years..In all these years i Have not or Will not brake a set apart or will Never take a good drum apart for the parts..To me this the biggest Sin a collector could do..Mikey

++++1, And there are some other major sins, but this is a big one, as mentioned there are other low life's that are already ripping down perfectly good drums and kits, so go to that source first, but not off a drum!!! we in the old days never used the word "orphans" we used the word singles, never have cared for this word being used to describe a drum ,orphan!!!Cooked Egg

Linguistically, I find this pretty interesting. Orphan does have kind of a negative conotation, but really, it is a pretty apt description for a 'lost' drum. I mean, if you come across a 12" rack tom in a cool wrap that has a $20 price tag on it and you ask whomever is working at the store/shop, "where's the rest of this kit" and you hear, "that's it, just the one." A common senario, but obviously this drum was not made at the factory all by its lonesome. It was made to go with 2,3, or 4 other drums pretty much just like it. So in a sense, even though it is linguistically anthropomorphizing them, these drums really are 'orphans' rather than 'singles.' A single might be an orchestral bass drum, or a marching snare, but not a commonly sized drum for a drum set, especially if it has mounting hardware! Um, rant over, sorry 'bout that.

I like that! :DExcitedBurger Kinx-mas3

This is the webster dictionary definition of the two words,ORPHAN- A child whose father or mother are dead,, SINGLE- refers to one that is not united or accompanied by others. that's the definition we old guys use, simply meaning, the drum you have may be a single to you but someone is looking for that drum somewhere, such as myself,I've been after floor toms for ever, you got em!!!! maybe we should start a section titled single drums for sale or trade???Jumping2

Hey, while we have the dictionary out:

Linguistically, I find this pretty interesting... :rolleyes:

can' ni bal ize' - to strip (old or worn equipment) of parts for use in other units

I'm really not seeing any rhetoric here about sacrificing a virgin tom to the drum god.

I am one of the people that will not, no matter how badly I may need a specific part, buy from the strippers. I always look at what the seller has listed, how they list, and the number an types of parts.

Come on, Jon! You know those "strippers" need your money to help finance their college educations (LOL)!