Also, even after Ringo and others put Ludwig on top of the sales heap, Slingerland continued to sell more drums than Rogers, Gretsch, or Camco. Slingerland was the number one selling brand for 30 years and the second best selling for the next 20 years before bad management decisions and other factors put them out of business. 50 years of high sales and production means there are a lot of Slingerland drums out there. With their early dominance (thanks to Krupa) it may well be that Slingerland sold more drums in total than any other company up until the time they stopped operations.

The later 1990's Slingerlands made in Nashville under Gibson's ownership were arguably among the best made "major brand" USA drums ever offered for sale. Unfortunately extremely high prices and very limited distribution and marketing doomed that endeavor. Gibson then moved production out of Nashville and, under different management, the quality suffered. They continued to make poor decisions related to the brand and managed to run it into the ground. They still own the name though although Gibson seems determined not to make any good use of it.

That is very interesting, thanks.

KO, The best made "major brand" USA drums ever? Nashville Slingerlands?

Where did you hear that?

My own opinion I guess...

I said "arguably among the best made major brand USA drums"

I suppose one could argue otherwise too. I have a set of Nashville Slingerlands and they exhibit top notch construction in nearly every way.

I suppose USA Customs and/or Ludwig Legacies would fall into the same category as far as major brand drums but I'd "argue" that the Nashville Slingerlands are as well made as those....so they are arguably among the best made MAJOR BRAND USA drums...or not. But it's just an opinion.

Maybe I should have been a politician or a lawyer ;)

The Nashville Slingerlands do have a good reputation on their build quality, generated by those who own or have owned a kit. I also like the appearance of those kits.... some real nice finishes.

The seventies set the path of Slingerland down the tube though. No longer a family owned company the QC started to drop off.. and the standover tactic franchise marketing by the new owners plus their "newly appointed" importers put a lot of retailers offside.. The OZ retailers that were long established dealers could no longer meet the sales quotas set, hence could no longer buy the product..

If they did manage a sale many were (for a time) paying through the nose from one of the "new franchised retailers". I'm sure this scenario would have been reflected worldwide.

Leedy & Slingerland were first of the major US brands to disappear from showroom floors, so it's no great surprise that the demand/$ is less... I can't even remember the last time I saw a set (other than my own) on stage in OZ. As already said, most drummers under the age of 30 have never even heard of Slingerland let alone seen them live on stage.. In fact I'm sure even Leedy is better known in this neck of the woods. I often need to explain Slingerland??? to some of the younger guys that approach the kit with interest.

Cheers

John

I'll echo what others have said about Ludwig and Gretsch still being around and the mystique and rarity of Camco have helped push them along. And Rogers are vintage drums that can hold up in many modern situations hardware wise and edge wise. But Slingerland snares are extremely underrated, IMO. I'd go as far as to say I feel overall they made the best snares of all those brands. The Radio King is obviously a classic, but the Hollywood Ace is my personal favorite wood snare ever made. Tone is gorgeous. Even their 6 lug student snares rim shot like nobody's business. Peart played the Artist snare years after it was in production and as for metal snares, I'll take the Krupa Sound King over a Supra any day. I'll even take their cheap steel snares from the '70s (often found for $50 on CL) over the Acrolite. As for the Slingy kits I've had, I'm on the opposite side - I prefer the other brands (even Ludwig) simply because I found the Slingerland toms didn't like to be tuned high. They choked out and had very little sustain, probably due to the fat edges. Worked better in thuddier, deeper ranges, but that's just a stylistic preference and drums then were so inconsistent, someone else here will tell you they can make them sing in bop range. Overall great undervalued drums that are tied to an era that younger drummers don't gush over, but should.

It's really quite simple, Slingerland were not the best. They probably sold more than Rogers because Rogers were more expensive. After many years of owning and gigging with all the major brands, Rogers are the most consistent, tuning, construction, hardware and the sound. I've recorded practically every kit I've owned at gigs and just playing on my own. I go back and listen to these kits and the Rogers always stood out as the best sounding, especially the 20" kick drums. I have never had any issues with their hardware, I can't say the same about Ludwig or Slingerland, especially Slingerland.

I too have always felt that slingerland and mapex are similar companies. Top notch drums all around. even their low end, entry level stuff is high quality. They suffer from lack of brand recognition. I was a mapex guy before i was a slingerland guy. If i were to buy a modern kit, i would go with mapex. Quality gear at a good price point. Just like how slingerlands are now. Great sounding drums at a good price.

I must admit that Mapex is the one company I never want to own anything from. If someone gave me a kit, I'd give it right along to someone else. They personally rubbed me very raw years ago, and it sadly left me with a horrid after taste. But back to the vintage!

My 70's Slingerland concert toms actually prefer a higher tuning than lower. They are 14" & 16", but I could never seem to get that really low end. Still love them just the same though, and I've come to the personal conclusion that perhaps I haven't had the right head for the drum on. Had my fair share of " eh " drums that really opened up when a certain head was used.

I've found a love for Remo Ebony Pinstripes. Deep low tone, they really make my 1984 Imperialstars " BOOM "

End of the day it is buy/play what you like. Agree Slingerland snares are very nice. Have quite a few. Not a thing wrong with the other brands. A few of those on the shelf as well. Boils down to what you like at a comfortable price. Different drums are great fun. PITA at times but always fun!

Creighton