And?

Do I have to choose a side?

If so, I'm a Ludwiggist, with a minor in Leedyism (we used to be bonded together), but friendly with Slingerland types (they're neighbors) and acquainted with Gretchies (from across the river here in town) but only rarely come across Camcoers and the other lesser groups!

I grew up in the upper midwest and the small, ma & pa music stores in my region catered mostly Ludwigs. I guess that was because of proximity to the Ludwig Chicago factory. We basically never saw Gretsch drums at all. Gretsch was a guitar maker as far as we were concerned! Rogers had to be special ordered. Nobody ever seems to want Slingerlands for some reason....and all the ancillary brands like Leedy and Camco were unknown.

Fast forward to now and a completely different set of criteria for many of those same brands which have now become vintage -in essence: collecting. I collect what I like the looks of...I like the way Ludwig lugs look (all the styles)...I also LOVE their catalogs and all the names of the kits that were "suggested" configurations (so sue me). I used to love gawking at the picture of the Walnut Cortex Octa-Plus...kept it close-by my foldout of Barbie Benton...*cough*... That's what got imprinted in my mind at the time. But, oddly, when I ordered my first real kit, it was Rogers! Go figure! I guess I just wanted to be different than my buddy who ordered a set of blue Vistalites at about the same time.

I think the reason Gretsch became so popular is because they have a unique sound, when tuned high, that is attached to small combo jazz...As venues got smaller, so did the kits and Gretsch was more of an "out East" brand where all the cool cat jazzers were happening. You kind of HAD to have a Gretsch bop kit....and eventually, as time went on...(up until the pandemic hit) those little kits were THE hot commodity to possess... along with a hip set of thin, old K Zildians.

True, there is a Rogers camp.

And then there is everything else.

Ludwig Rogers guy here for what its worth. Haven't been here for a while but good to be back.

Given the kits I have, am I schizophrenic? Multiple personality disorder? Or do I just appreciate the sounds of classic, hand-made vintage drums ;) .

Where I grew up Rogers was only sold at one of at least a half dozen music stores in town. They were around from 1965 to early 70's then disappeared from the area.

Interesting subject.

Around 1970 I received an used Ludwig (or WFL?) as a x-mas present as a reward for my 1.5 years of practice pad work. My desire was to get a Rogers kit because that's what my teacher played. He always extolled the virtues of the Rogers brand, but a few times he admitted that he wished he had a Camco. Now I have both! Is there a Rogers/Camco tribe?

I was a Rogers player from 1961 through 1964. Then, I was a Camco player for a few years before becoming a mostly-Slingerland player during my active gigging years.The Rogers and Camco years for me were a way to distinguish myself from "everyone else" playing Ludwigs.

OK. You're now up for "Chieftain" in the Tribe!