To me, duco, nickel over brass, and single lug are what I want in a woman. I mean drum set. Early 60's Club Dates are the trinity. However, if I had the dough to buy drums to my heart's desire, I'd own at least one of all 4 brands for sure. They each have their sound and vibe, and I'd want them all.

I selected Premier :D

I renovate/sell and have played all the named brands and still have a varied selection of drums i like to play. On top poll Ludwig.....sean

I had to add a vote for the Rogers camp. Stuck on a desert island or whatever I could play Holiday shells and a Dyna or Powertone all day long. They just sound like how drums sound in my head. I have never played a Camco (other than pedal) though. That bugs me..

Cleveland/Dayton/Fullerton era (Script badge) decided my vote for Rogers. That particular era was consistent, great hardware and cool wraps. But overall from beginning to end (or present) of each brand's run, I feel Slingerland's most consistent so they'd be a close second. Not a fan of their hardware, but sonically I haven't run into any I didn't like or couldn't tweak to sound good. Gretsch was hit or miss (edge issues, crappy hardware) but when it hit, it hit. I've had some bad luck with Ludwig; unanimously loved Acrolite and Supras...no more for me. Actually I like their kits better than their metal snares, but I admit after the bad snares and that cheaply made Keystone tom tom I had, I stopped experimenting with Ludwig unless it's dirt cheap.

But had Camco been an option, this would've been a very short answer.

Taste change over time, so in the last two years I would switch to Oaklawn era Camco's, 6 ply or Chanute era 24,13,16,18 with a 6.5x14" SD

Second choice is on the list , LUDWIG

24" WFL Bass Drum and 68 to 73 3ply clear maple interior toms in 13,16,& 18" sizes, with a WFL Jazz Fest or a 1978 or so 6.5x14" Black Beauty.

I vote Slingerland, because I like the sound of mahogany thin shell 3 ply drums.

Ludwig, for ease of tuning/range compared to Gretsch, tension casing design compared to Rogers...and for some reason Slingerlands often look kinda "puffy" to me...I know I know.

But really, Rogers were the best quality all round out of the four, I think.

Mitch

Slingerland. The tone and the warmth... I've never enjoyed playing a drum as much as my '47 Radio King 26".

That's exactly what I'm looking for! I would love a set from the 40s in Bonham sizes 12x14

16x16 16x18 7x14 14x26 man I Would be in heaven!