I live in Kansas and have known Bill Cardwell and Jake (his son) for years. I used to manage Supersonic Music which was actually C&C music before he sold it and moved to Gladstone to build drums. He and Jake would come by and grab shells from Derek Sharp (owner/builder of TreeHouse Custom Drums) before C&C built their own "Gladstone Shells". I will tell you this, there is absolutely ZERO lack of quality with these drums. Jake is OBSESSED with his attention to detail and what goes into his drums. I have the opportunity to play lots of different kits since C&C sponsors every large event with multiple bands. The back-line is always C&C and they never cease to amaze me.
Now with the player date kits: They are a bit more "mass produced" but I have played a few and they are sweet. I played a 20-12-14 that sounded like a 22-13-16. White Denim's drummer plays a 20-12-14 that sounds like the greatest bop/rock kit you've ever heard.
Long story short, if you are a vintage drummer and want a new kit, go with C&C. That's what they are aiming for! They love vintage drums and want to carry on the traditions of old with unbelievably high quality in mind.
-Beau