Ok so now that I've had a chance to rethink it maybe this poll could have been phrased like this. Suppose you won $5000.00 of brand new gear from one drum company, which you could not sell but must keep and use. Which would be your top three companies from those listed above, to choose from?
Hows's that?
oh yeah with my vote ludwig takes the lead!!
From starting with newer kits and then going to vintage.. NOTHING beats vintage! I went from a low-end ludwig, to a classic late 70s vistalite, to a 72 rogers, to a gretsch jazz kit, to a newer premier to a late 60s rogers, and the rogers beats ALL of em!
60s rogers beats any brand from any time! That and if I had my druthers a 60s camco, but finding an affordable camco is about as common as finding a good "new band" on the radio, it just wont happen. But if I had to rack up modern brands or old brands that are still making good drums I'd say gretsch and dw for sure.
McDrummer that is a different question now. Ok TODAY and only TODAY if that happened it would roll like this.
1, Gretsch. I'm not sure how well made a set would be actually be lol, they are a cranky company but who cares? A classic Walnut finished set of U.S.A's would do very nicely. The oldest design, which has had a bumpy history over the last 2 decades. They win. That sound, feel and look. mmmmmmm! Oh but would use DW hardware I'm afraid.
2, They are not in the Poll but sod it!! Craviotto!!! Come on people this gear is off the chart! DW hardware still.
3, Again not on Poll. C&C. Ok I know your going to yell KELLER at me but really, I've played them and they are gorgeous. They can make them look vintage too if you want. DW hardware again!
Gretsch wins, I just love them.
McDrummer that is a different question now. Ok TODAY and only TODAY if that happened it would roll like this. 1, Gretsch. I'm not sure how well made a set would be actually be lol, they are a cranky company but who cares? A classic Walnut finished set of U.S.A's would do very nicely. The oldest design, which has had a bumpy history over the last 2 decades. They win. That sound, feel and look. mmmmmmm! Oh but would use DW hardware I'm afraid. 2, They are not in the Poll but sod it!! Craviotto!!! Come on people this gear is off the chart! DW hardware still.3, Again not on Poll. C&C. Ok I know your going to yell KELLER at me but really, I've played them and they are gorgeous. They can make them look vintage too if you want. DW hardware again! Gretsch wins, I just love them.
I would suggest not yelling "Keller" with regards to C & C. They manufacture their own shells. They have a room full of molds and I am certain that was no small expense on their part.
I think the original intent of the poll was to stay with the more common manufacturers. Craviotto
, and C&C, and Nobel and Cooley, and GMS, and.... are a little more boutique in nature. Love 'me all though.
I would suggest not yelling "Keller" with regards to C & C. They manufacture their own shells. They have a room full of molds and I am certain that was no small expense on their part. I think the original intent of the poll was to stay with the more common manufacturers. Craviotto , and C&C, and Nobel and Cooley, and GMS, and.... are a little more boutique in nature. Love 'me all though.
They make their own? Even better! Why did I not know that? I played one of their 24" kik drums a couple of years back that was just beautiful.
As for the poll, I know mate I just thought I could sneak it in there. Ok Ok Ok.......
1 Gretsch
2 DW
3 Sonor
Simples!
Yes! C&C has Gladstone Shells literally next door. Great shells! Nice thick plies reminiscent of our much beloved Vintage build outs. That company is doing it right ... well, as right as a company could be with so much of the metalwork being done overseas. But those shells ... oh yeah!
Top 3, and $5,000 worth of free drums from any one of them? #1) Sonor, Scandinavian Birch. #2) Ludwig, 3ply Legacy Classic with Bearing Edges cut by others...#3) DW, Collectors series Maple w/a 3/8" Super Solid SD.
[SIZE="2"]Originally Posted by tnsquint
I would suggest not yelling "Keller" with regards to C & C. They manufacture their own shells. They have a room full of molds and I am certain that was no small expense on their part. [/SIZE]
I mentioned C&C early in this thread just for the reason they make some great shells. Beautiful to see and vintage sounds. Among them....Listen to their 'stencil" shells; i.e. Luan revisited!
A lot of the great new drums are from small drum companies and the big ones. With $5000 you have a lot of great choices today. Too many! Argh! Nurse!
I am really surprised that Ludwig is in the lead. Maybe I should give NEW luddy's a second look.
Has anyone really sat with a top of the line set of DW collectors? I don't own a set but I have several snares. I have a good friend who owns several DWs, and I think they are the most creative for a major manufacturer. The VLT, VLX line sounds incredible and the maple mahogany really has an almost vintage feel. I also think the yamaha Phoenix are worth a look, really nice sounding shells, warm with a little more sustain.
I still love the sound of a vintage kit, my favorite is my Rogers kit but if were talking about currently produced drums DW really has done some good stuff.
