Pearl may think its #1 in the world......but what is everyone buying more and more now? Ludwig, Gretsch and Drum Workshop. Look around at who your favorite drummer is.....look at what they are playing right now.....American made drums.....the Japanese had it all over the Americans in the 70's as far as hardware......now, its gone back to the way it should be. Those three american drum companies are leading the pack in innovation again, and they are offering drums at all price points that offer more value to the drummer than any Japanese maker is now. And then there's resale value......look at the vintage market.....whats worth more....a vintage Gretsch kit or a vintage Pearl set? Vintage Ludwig set or vintage Tama?

I'm sorry, but the thinking that Japan makes everything better than the americans is just old thinking, leftover from the 70's. BTW.....when was the last time you saw a Japanese car from the 70's still on the road? Probably been a long time. When's the last time you saw an american car from the 70's on the road? Chances are probably just yesterday.......so who made what better? The playing field has been level for a number of years on both drums and cars......deal with it. If your american, then buy american. Keep our jobs here so we can be here tomorrow. If you don't.......might as well start calling this China annex.....

Soap Box

Hey Jazzbo. Told ya so. Man, that was a loaded statement. Best to duck for a while and let these guys get it out of their system. Later dude.

I agree with ludwig dude. But this is a vintage drum forum so lets get off this topic.

[SIZE="7"][COLOR="Blue"]USA[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE="7"][COLOR="Blue"]USA[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE="7"][COLOR="Blue"]USA

[SIZE="7"][COLOR="Blue"]USA[/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR][/SIZE]

Do your homework and come back . Japanese cars are still more reliable and built better than US - even the ones made in the USA which are MORE Made is USA than US vehicles are ! Fact .

My fave drummers don't play new Ludwig , Gretsch or DW , but maybe yours do . Would I consider buying a USA ? Sure , as I said earlier they have improved QC over the past few years . I still think that top of the line Japanese-made drums are made with more care and attention to detail .

Japanese car sales didn't REALLY take off until the 80's and thereafter . 70's not a fair comparison .

You may find this interesting . Anomaly ?

http://jalopnik.com/5232715/first-camaro-crap+out-comes-40-miles-from-dealership

Oh - no need to be so defensive . Chill . Cooked Egg

A tad off topic I know , but read and weep /

Forumites at Camaro5 have been collectively scratching their heads for a couple days, wondering why there appear to be two layers of lead wheel weights stuck onto their brake calipers. It's a mystery Charlie Brown!

The confusion started when a poster uploaded an image of his new Camaro's Brembo calipers, on which were riding two rows of lead weights, normally affixed to the inside of a wheel rim to balance the tire. This led everyone with a Camaro to run outside to see it their mullet machine's also had the weights, which they do, at least on among the folks on the forum. GM has not answered to the confusion yet, but the leading theory is they were place on the caliper as a quick and dirty fix to alleviate brake squeal. From a physics perspective, this explanation is plausible, as resonant frequency is in large part determined by mass, and by changing the vibrating mass of the caliper with the weights, a troublesome squeal would be eliminated for a particular driving condition.

The trouble is if they're using normal brake weights, the heat cycling of the caliper will eventually cause the adhesive to fail and, if things get too serious on the track, the lead could actually melt. Though it's an odd issue and not really a big deal, we'll be keeping you in on the loop during Camaro brake-gate, though we recommend Camaro owners visit their local dealer and have their muffler bearings, blinker fluid, and piston-return springs checked out, just in case. Click here for the high-resolution image. Thanks for the tip Ethan! {

The Japanese would NEVER pull sheet like this .

[IMG]http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/sonor23/Camaro_brake_weights.jpg[/IMG]

The Japanese have us to thank for their car market. They make very nice cars...... for Americans.

What % of new GRETSCH kits are made either in China or Taiwan ???? LOL !

I have a soft spot in my heart for Gretsch - own 1962 and 2002 kits . Made in USA . But current Gretsch is NOT innovative by any stretch of the imagination .

They sure sound good. that great gretsch sound.