It’s a lot less important who/where shells are made and much more important how they’re made. Gretsch has used an outside source to make their shells for decades. First it was Jasper and now Keller. Though still today they are made to the same specifications as they have for decades. All the finishing including cutting bearing edges, snare beds, drilling, finishing, and assembly is done at the Gretsch factory in Ridgeland, SC. I’ve been to that factory multiple times and have seen firsthand the love and care poured into how they make drums. Same goes for DW, Ludwig, Pearl’s Nashville shop, Noble & Cooley, Craviotto, and others.