I voted Gretsch basically because I have a history with them. All the drums in this poll are great drums. Ya - I will be looking for a Camco some day, Rogers, Singerland & Ludwig too...........too many drums ..........not enough time on the planet..

My vote would be for a 60's rogers white marine pearl Dvae Clark

Londoner set-up, with an additional 14" or 16" floor tom. Secong choice

would be an early 60's Rogers Mardi Gras set of any configuration. I own

3-60's sets of Slingerland, Gretsch (my Dad's) and a '68 Ludwig set.

LOVE my 60's Slingerland jazz kit, but I've played for hours on it and haven't had the same opportunity to play extensively on the other brands. I'm sure they're just as great sounding. Aesthetically, I definitely prefer the look of the Slingerland drums over the other brands. Their hoops, lugs etc... seem to be more rounded and streamlined and I prefer that look over say, the more squared look of the Ludwig lugs.

Me as well. Gads my Camco kit thunders!

Best drums I've ever owned. And even in those rock sizes, you can tune them for pretty much anything.

I voted Gretsch and I own or have owned three different generations of Gretsch drums. My first kit my Mom bought for me was a 4 piece Gretsch from 1959/60 which I still have in the closet. The guy we bought them from had them refinished as single headed drums so the value is ruined for collecting but that set sounds so good. I drilled out the plugs and put the lugs and bottom heads/rims back on. My other and favorite kit was an early 80's Jasper shelled Gretsch walnut kit that is still to this day the kit that haunts me. The beautiful tone haunts me. The fact I got rid of them for a Yamaha Maple Custom haunts me. The reason I got rid of them is because of the sizes. 10/12/13/14 toms, 18 floor tom, and 2 20" kicks. The kit sounded great irregardless but when you set it up with the 18" ft the floor tom was lower pitched than the kick. It really bothered me. That and I had a special rack built to hang them on. It was a pain in small clubs. That tone wise was the best kit I have ever played and the drums stayed in tune forever. My new kit is a Gretsch New Classic. It has a lot of the same qualities as the Jasper Gretsch but I think my mind will not let me call another drum better. I also have a classic Ludwig from 66 that I love as well and my Yamaha Recording Customs. I have been very lucky.

Ludwig all the way.

Lugwig,hands down.I sold my original 2 kits right before getting married the first time.My betrothed said she wanted us to start life together with no debt.Should have known then to run fast and far.

Anyway...60's Ludwig classics.I have an orphan 3 piece with 2 supras,an acro, a BB,and a jazzfest to chose from,and i'm looking to aquire more.Don't ask about the screen name.

Steve B

Tama's are cool too. I'd love to have an 80's Superstar in maple finish. Alas, that is another thread for another forum...

I would have said Slingerland but now being the proud owner of a 67 Super Classic, well!!!!!

I voted for Slingerland, and prefer the drums made from 1956 through 1968. I really prefer the SlingerLeedy drums that are virtually identical except for the most beautiful drum lugs ever to grace a drum shell. I have owned and played all of the four brand choices as well as Camco and Flat Jacks, and always returned to the Slingerland made drums. My second choice is Rogers from the Dayton Swivo period. I have a collector's affinity for Walberg & Auge drums from the 50's and 60's. But, I began collecting them after I stopped gigging. The W&A drums with Gretsch lugs and rims pale in comparison with the drums they made with Rogers parts. I currently own two Slingerland sets, two Leedy sets, one Rogers set, three Walberg & Auge sets, and one Ludwig (trade bait) set. Let's remember that this topic asks for opinions, My opinions are specific to my preferences. You may like Ludwig and Gretsch while I don't. No big deal to me. We both like good drums.