Wow!

I am amazed with the response I got! -Thanks!

I am glad I wasn't alone in being upset with how some companies handle these old brands!

In a way I'm part guilty myself. Last year I bought a (China made) Ludwig Element kit. The reason for this was that after a 25 year long break from playing drums I decided to start playing again. Problem was, my old kits needed restorarion and I realised that playing was more important than restoring. I have to admit that these new drums sound pretty good, especially the bass drum. However if I was to tour with these drums I am sure that they would fall apart after just a few gigs. Why isn't there a company that can give me a decent kit to play, with the quality of (at least) a MIJ from the 70's? Right now though, I am quite happy, I have drums to play and I am working on restoring the old ones. As soon as I finish with my older kits I will sell my Ludwigs. -I think :D

/Johan

Maybe for the Rogers shells, but not the Slingerlands. Keller could probably pull it off ... Reworking shells to the Rogers specs ... And have the drums sound pretty good. But, the Slingerland drums that are known and loved are either the RadioKings or the classic 3ply ... Neither of which can be duplicated with any degree of accuracy. Let those greats stay untarnished and special. Judging from what's come out over the past twenty years under the banner of "rerelease" or "vintage" ... Ugh! What a load of crap. The newer drums may be good drums, but vintage character they ain't.

Rogers was the same way Jasper shells can never be redone or the early keller shells the big trees maple, are long gone and the crappy ones now can never produce the same type of shell same with other vintage instruments slingerlands were not alone truth is folks everything now adays is built like a piece of crap cars, furniture whatever and everyone is drunk with greed.. want to know who the suckers are ? look in the mirror it is us cause we buy the crap!

Speak for yourself ... I try VERY hard to put my money into well made quality items. Cars, furniture, homes, what have you. My home is a custom build from 1972 (completely overhauled), my bedroom furniture is handmade Amish, my car is a MINI Cooper (BMW quality), my computer is a MAC (yippie!!!), and my drums are sweet sweet old Slingerland and Rogers. It just don't get much better than those two. I haven't bought new in ... a while.

Sorry to say this, but Hayman and Rogers are/were dead already. Those names mean nothing to most of today's younger players, the buying public, unless they are vintage collectors.

Slingerland had a fighting chance, but Henry J flushed it down the toilet.

I'm just a nostalgic as anyone else, but dead is dead, and once the trademarks are dead or up for sale, anything can happen.

Yes they were dead; however, parents of young aspiring drummers who knew the names but never played the tubs "back in the day" end up being sold on this stuff, mainly. It's sad; but then again- it's the way of the world.

I suppose one reason why big, huge companies buy up these old names is for one reason: to prevent people who could give them a run for their money from being able to do that. Water down the old names to where their reputation is trash. Remember, the people who buy up old names and trademarks are old competitors...

So you are telling me you do not buy any clothing ,electronics , plumbing fixtures etc yeah right well I am happy for you that you are rich enough to afford nice custom things I was speaking more in the market of the average American, lets see the biggest chain store in America Wall mart their stuff is 90% china and 90 % of Americans shop there.... I too try very hard to buy american products but they simply are not out there that is why this counrty has such a high unemployment rate... but then what do I know I live on a reservation.....

I do agree with ya on the drums... :)

Wow. MikeT, I sincerely apologize. I honestly didn't mean for that to come across like a jerk. I was just trying to state that I pay once for quality and hang on to it for a while. I don't buy quick fix crap. Thanks for bringing my attention to the word choice. I'm a school teacher. Not rich by any stretch of the imagination. Just careful about where the dollars go. Take care and thanks again.

Unfortunately, buying a brand name company and sucking the life out of it is one of the best ways to make money.

I did not think your post came accross like a jerk , i think you said in your own words how you felt and that is always ok by me I also think it is great that you invest in quality things as they will last you many years I was just refering to the overall state of this countries manufacturing woes.. I am 61 when i grew up you bought a red wagon or a bicycle it was made like a tank and lasted for a long time.. now wagon for kids are junk just like most things that average americans by when i got my first set of drums in 1964 it was a red sparkle ludwig Hollywood set great drums till I played rogers about a years later i owned Rogers drums and played then till 3 years ago they were without a doubt the best made drums I have ever had the pleasure to sit behind their hardware i still prefer today it is just awesome if you understand the maintenance of it, It really ticked me off to see what has become of Rogers but if you look at most of America you will see the same story...