I dunno...

Who made this drum key?

[IMG]http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp231/kaaawa2000/D1.jpg[/IMG]

As I read the palm in question... I see great fortune and a knack for tuning drums.... You will have great success in life.....

and now to the question.

That looks exactly like a Ludwig Sta-set key without the chrome on it. and without the Ludwig logo and other info.

Hmmm...

History Section for this drum key CLICK HERE

Is that a Rogers Key?

I was just playing "Name that Drumkey"

[IMG]http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp231/kaaawa2000/D2.jpg[/IMG]

Here's the flip side, it says "STA-SET Armen Key Co. Pat Pend". I never knew that Ludwig sold these or put their name on it, nor that they were chromed. I think I paid $10 for it around 1975, the drum teacher I had got it on one of his trips down to NY to take lessons from Fred Hinger.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.armenhalburian.com/images/Drumkey_color_opt.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.armenhalburian.com/Inventions.htm&usg=__jq-ProJEqUL2Olja72U9xyFdE-g=&h=138&w=184&sz=3&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=106ZGryEByz0_M:&tbnh=77&tbnw=102&prev=/images%3Fq%3Darmen%2Bsta-set%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

I don't recognize the drum key you posted, but my guess would have been the same as backbeatkeeper - Rogers, because it does have a Rogers vibe to the styling.

Back to the Sta-Set - only thingamabob I've ever seen with a wing nut fitting on it... it's been useful a couple of times on some wing nuts people used 100 ft lbs of torque on.

Ha... You got me!

So, your key is probably the original key that Ludwig must have purchased the patent for. More research on the patent can yield more information.

An original Ludwig key is usually $65 - $100

Your key is unique for sure!

David

Turns out the Sta-Set key was invented by drummer Armen Halburian, and here's his website:

Direct Link to the information

He played with Herbie Mann a lot - he was on 9 (at least) albums of Herbie's.

Hey wait! This was about my key! You got the best answer and I'm still hanging...

I originally did think Rogers. What era though since my Rogers keys all have Rogers on them.

David

The Rogers keys I've seen always had "Rogers" written on them too, that's why I was wondering about drum companies like Camco, the companies that made fewer drums - I'm not familiar with their keys. Hard to imagine Rogers not putting their name on it...

What we know:

1. It's American

2. It's made to clip into a key-holder

3. It's not a Ludwig key

4. It's not a Rogers key (but very similar)

5. It's not a Slingerland key

6. It's not a Gretsch key

7. It's chrome plated