Jeremy Bender
Platinum Member
This is cool, a personalized tour of the factory and shell making process from Paul Cooper. the video starts out a little blurry but quickly clears up and he really takes the time to show a dealer the plant.
I don't know that their regular US made stuff is all that more costly than others. The lacquered stuff on the other hand. Yup, you'll pay, but there's a process and a half for those, which are very different than most Asian made offerings. Also tons of variety of finishes. That's more than you get in the lower price range lines, but it's true with any.So.... They buy the shells from Keller, the hardware from Asia like most other companies, and then call them USA customs. What's the custom part? Drilling the shells? Cutting the edges?
Night and day difference between the DW factory tour and Gretsch. That's for certain. Maybe I missed the part about why Gretsch doesn't make their own shells. That part's kinda curious!Don't get me wrong. I think Gretsch drums are great. Just kinda surprised by how little is actually done in house.
. I guess there's nothing keeping anyone from buying Gretsch's Keller shells(?) and doing their own thing?