Gretsch or Roger's, but which company pioneered or developed the 1st very thin and light weight drum shells that were 3 ply with solid 1 ply maple re-rings? The early WFL shells with the African Mahogany interior ply as an example. What drum company introduced that shell? Because to me, that was the breakthrough to really outstanding sounding and ultra resonant shells.

Aside from toms which are probably the best example, the two snare drums that come to mind is a Roger's Tower 3 ply Cleveland ser.#34** and a 1956 WFL 3ply w/ the clear mahogany interior, both 5x14s and both incredible sounding...But who came up with the design 1st?

Rogers was a drum head company for several decades before they began manufacturing drums.

Rogers would be the youngest drum company out of the four you mention. Rogers was making calfskin drum heads since 1849, but didn't start manufacturing drums until the 1930's.

My fellow Rogersphiles will chime in if this is not accurate.

Mike C.

But N&C didnt start makin kits til decades later as well/ and were talkin about the format of kits we've known the last 60 yrs right?

also this was gretsch shells not rogers shells.

Most ,if not all ofthese companies,started out as drum head makers, and later on banjos and ukeleles and then started selling hardware,pedals and snare drums.The main reason Ludwig and Slingerland were in Chicago,was because of the stock yards,where they had their pick of fresh hides.

Slingerlands first catalog was entitled the Slingerland Banjo and Drum company.They also made and sold a Slingerland electric guitar in the 30's.

I think U.G.Leedy was selling snare drums,bass drums and marchers,before Ludwig,or around the same time.I know Bill Ludwig( who I think ,worked for Leedy) ,came to Leedy,and wanted him to manufacture something similar to the "Mills drum" which was brass,and Leedy refused .Some think that Mills Drums was made by Sonor. I'd go with Everybody else ,came later to the drum making party.

Rogers and and Camco,and George Way,never made their own drum shells,which were always Jasper or Keller.

My candidate to a full fledged drum company being first,as in drum making,head tucking,some hardware(mostly W & A) tympany designs,strainers,lugs,rims ...has to go the Leedy.

Steve B

Steve B

I have a Conn snare that was made in the early 1900's but the lug design was patented on Aug 2nd 1887.

[IMG]http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w211/macr0w/CG%20Conn/IMG_1518.jpg[/IMG]

Sonor and Leedy--in that order--seem to have the documented history of the earliest drum making in the emerging modern era. Since Sonor is still in business, they get my nod as the oldest drum maker over the many years.