I think you are upset because I didn't vote for Premier. 

My vote is: make up your own mind which brand you prefer.
As I said right at the beginning, there are too many variables to engage in any debate of worth.

About two weeks ago I received a call from the VP of a high end specialty drum maker. He said, "I noticed that you are a Renown Maple artist and I would like to offer you a kit more "be-fitting" to you."  (I'll come back to this)

Last year, I started looking  for drums that I really thought were well made, sounded good and the company seemed to offer straight talk and good support.

At the Pasic Show last year I really turned up the heat on my search and tried several different companies products, most of them for a second or third time. 

I loved the sound of the Gretsch drums.  Although I don't have that sound defined, these drums seemed to fit the sound I was looking for.  They suited ME personally and that is what was most important. 

My good friend, teen age superstar, Eloy Casagrande from Brasil recently selected (and actually got a deal)  Premier because he likes the sound of Premier.  It was HIS personal choice.

As it's turned out for me I have gained support from Gretsch and I'm proud to be a Renown Maple endorser.  Gretsch has been a visible name in our industry for many years.  Earlier in this thread someone mentioned that the Gretsch drums cosmetically were not up to par.  I have a Cherry Burst Renown and it's one of the most beautiful finishes I've ever seen...ofcourse, it's in MY eye's.  Also, it was said that customer support is not the best. I have received nothing but the best in customer support from Kaman across the board. It's been awesome!

Coming back to the top regarding my recent phone call.....I'm not a drum maker.  I'm not a drum tech.  I'm only 16 and honestly find myself very lost when all you guys with all this experience start talking about the techniques of what makes drums sound the way they do..bearing edges etc.  Right now because of my lack of experience with how drums are built etc...I trust two things, my ear and my gut.  I'm not sure when the day will come that I find myself interested in "why" a drum sounds like it does...but I can tell you today if I like the way a drum sounds.

I think the VP thought I would jump at the chance to represent his company.  His company does offer very unique, nice looking drums and it was very flattering that he even picked up the phone and made a call like that to me.  There are many many other artists that are probably more deserving.

The truth is, I would have played Gretsch drums wether I got an endorsement deal or not. I don't think you select drums because a company wants to give them to you. You select drums because they fit you.  I would have gladly purchased a kit out of the store like anyone else if that's what it would have taken to get a Gretsch, "be-fitting or not."

This thread has pretty much all boiled down to the same old thing we get into when comparing heads, cymbals, throne, racks or stands etc....

What's your "personal" preference....


Hannah   

I agree; this is a clear and clever statement - and after all, we all are talking about the same, and the person that started the thread must decide on one of the two makes himself. Still I hope that my remarks have given a little bit to the conversation anyway.