That is a killer drum set. Wish it were mine. I have three W&A drum sets that are each unique, and all quite gig worthy. Your Black Diamond Pearl set is older than mine which are from 1963, 1965, 1972. You all are correct about the Gretsch, Rogers, and Ludwig components mixed in with W&A's own metal and mechanical parts such as the pedals, tom holders, and internal mufflers. There was ONLY one man who assembled the drums who hand signed his RGB initials and the date inside the shells. He did this on all of the unpainted shells and silver painted shells that I have seen. I am not certain about the black painted shells that pre date all of my W&A drums. There is precious little published information available about the Walberg and Auge company. I think that they might have been the originator of today's current batch of "custom drum assemblers or Keller assemblers". W&A was well established as a major manufacturer of drum hardware for virtually all American drum brands. They traded out hardware and services to obtain shells, hoops, wrap, and other items from primarily Gretsch, Rogers, and Ludwig. The blue set has more conventional tension rods while the other drums all have the hex head rods. I also have a W&A hex head drum key. There must have also been legal agreements for W&A to use the proprietary parts from those other drum makers. Thanks for giving me another opportunity to show off my W&S babies.
1963 Mostly Gretsch Gold Glass Glitter 14x22, 9x13, 16 deep x 14 diamer
1965 Mostly Rogers Salmon Satin Flame 14x20, 8x12, 16x16
1972 Mostly Gretsch unique Glass Glitter wrap that I call Ice Blue Metallic 14x22, two 9x13, 16x16, matching wood eight lug snare similar to Gretsch
1967 Champagne Sparkle eight lug mostly Gretsch snare drum
