I've got a Radio King kit, a Gretsch kit, and a 90's Premier Signia kit. Different kits for different moods. Like my kids, I love them all equally and for different reasons

I have to agree with ATeam! I play with drums that I enjoy and appreciate no matter what the make. Last night, I used a converted Ludwig 12 X15 marcher instead of my Supra and loved the sound! I also embrace my vintage Star kit which I have babied and pampered for years. I guess I certainly am not an elitist. I certainly wish I has the old Leedy snare though that I learned to play back in the day! LOL.

Brian

While I have my favorites, like Ludwig, Rogers and Camco, I have just about every US brand in my collection. So as BEC said, I am a Ludwiggist as well. Mainly because that is the brand I know the most about. While I have a lot of experience with all the others, I have learned a lot about Camco too. That’s what I enjoy about this hobby - there is no one that knows everything about every brand!

Recently I came across a Zickos prototype which can been seen in the Display section, it fascinated my as it had the Zickos shell, Camco lugs, Dynasonic throw and butt, and Ludwig wires and muffler. It was my experience that allowed me to understand what it was.

It is continuous learning to me, not really partial to any one brand. I love em all!

I eventually settled on Rogers. I've always had a soft spot for Gretsch, especially if they have Rogers or even Slingerland hardware (commonly done at Jack's in Boston). The hardware is principally the thing that put me off Gretsch. I like the rest of those drums. Then there was a mid-60's Leedy in red satin flame that I let go. That came awfully close to my preferred Rogers. Loved the rounded-over COB hoops. Ludwigs are fine if the ride tom doesn't choke. I'm not sure I've ever owned a Slingerland. I must have, but just can't recall any other than the Leedy kit. I've had at least one Camco I can recall. The Aristocrat snare drums are top flight. Wonderful strainer and the rolled over hoops are nice too. In any event, you can put me solidly in the Rogers camp. I've got just one left that I got from Chris Hawthorne for short. Insides painted black but I can't hear that revised paint, so no issues.

Then there was the red onyx set.

I have always had an aversion to Silver Sparkle drums. But, one day several months ago, my friend's store in Houston had a 1966 Rogers Top Hat configuration on display in slightly aged Silver glass Glitter. That drum set kept calling out my name as I looked around at all of the vintage drum sets that were on display. That drum set followed me home that day. The set did not have a matching snare drum. So, I paired it with a 1963 chrome Powertone snare that I already had. Then, a fellow forum member responded to one of my posts offering my thoughts about loving the simplicity of a Luxor snare drum. Guess what showed up at my house a few days later in a matching original wrap. I then added on a set of Ludwig bongos, that I had previously rewrapped. I acquired a strip of Silver Glass Glitter wrap that was close enough for rock n roll in color for rewrapping them to go with my Rogers Top Hat set. I've already posted pictures of this set several times.

I like everybody

https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/columnists#/mark-markowitx-vintage-happiness

I always thought it was Ludwig/Rogers vs Gretsch/Camco.

In my early playing career, it seemed like it was always a Ludwig vs Singerland thing. There were the occasional jazzers who played Gretsch, and the avant-garde players who played Rogers or Camco. I only saw one Leedy drum set played by a fellow rock n roller and absolutely no Walberg & Auge.

It would be very interesting if somehow someone could collate total sales data of the US drum companies and arrange it by decade. In the 60's, from my perspective as a young lad with my nose pressed against the music shop glass, I would say that Ludwig/Slingerland dominated the market followed by Gretsch/Rogers, but not necessarily in that order.

That's precisely what I saw in the Chicago area.