Gretsch Catalina Maple Series

[groovemasterg@yahoo.com]

I'm an intermediate drummer looking to buy a new kit and I was wondering if anyone out there could tell me anything about the Gretsch Catalina Maple Series kit, as its price and features have become one of my top choices...? Thanks a lot.

-G

[wooltonboy]

Yeah, I'd like to hear some feedback too.
Especially since Interstate Music in the U.S. has them on right now at $699 (!) along with a free 16" floor tom.....amazing ( 10/12/14/16/22) inc. snare

[bonzolead]

I spend a little more and get the Maple "Renown" series if you can afford it.the quality and sound are way better.

Keep Swatting,
Bonzolead

[hawk9290]

I spend a little more and get the Maple "Renown" series if you can afford it.the quality and sound are way better.

Keep Swatting,
Bonzolead

True, plus the finish is much nicer looking imo
-if you've only got $700 to spend though, can't go wrong with a Cata. Maple

[Beetleman]

If you are not stuck on maple guitar center had catalina birch for $575 with extra 8 inch tom.

[dom]

ive got a catalina maple in amber. I love it! its sounds great and for the price its good guality too. If sanded and finished the interiors with a few coats a shellac and it really improved the resonance. the only problem i have had is the tension rods needed to be lubed up with some vasoline but other than that its great.

[groovemasterg@yahoo.com]

Thanks to all that responded and will respond. This is a big investment for me as I'm in college and I feel a little more confident with this choice after hearing from you all; so, very much appreciated. I couldn't find a better deal in a shell pack that includes a snare and a free 16'' floor tom...that alone made me wonder about the quality. Thanks! Any other shell pack suggestions around $850-$900?

-G

[Jusstickinaround]

I spend a little more and get the Maple "Renown" series if you can afford it.the quality and sound are way better.

Keep Swatting,
Bonzolead

I bought a Gretsch Catalina jazz kit for $475 new at GC, sounds every bit as good as any high end kit I've ever owned.

[fusssion]

Just played one at GC about 1/2 hour ago.......YOU MUST put different heads on it I'm sure........but this one sounded OK....would probably sound nice with good heads and a 1/2 hour or so of good tuning! :)

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I saw the Maple at a music store here yesterday, with a free 16 floor tom, in a natural wood finish and it looked tasty. Wish I had seen it a year ago. They also had an ash series for 699 that the manager said I could have for much less...again where was it a year ago. The maple Gretsch will be my next set.

[stampszzz]

Greetings,

I'm a new member here and a novice drummer. I ordered the Catalina Maple 6pc (Deep Amber) through the GC website for delivery to my local store.

I actually had the Gretsch Catalina Birch 5pc that I added a 16 X 16 Floor Tom to it and had been kicking myself ever since.

I currently have a Tama Stage Star Custom EFX ("Snow White Pearl") that's very nice in appearance with a great sounding kick but I have never been happy with the sound of the toms even with upgraded heads.

Again being a novice, I'm sure I can attribute a percentage of my displeasure with the tone of the drums as result of my own inexperience in tuning them.

Taking into consideration the obvious subjectivity pertaining to the quality of the drums I am looking for that ' 70's sound and eliminate the "Ringiness" of the toms as much as possible.

I plan on using the Evans EC2 clear batter heads for the toms that many have suggested here but I am wondering if the coated EC 2's might eliminate more ring.

I have also read that replacing the resonants might help (Maybe EC2 clears for the resonants and coated batters ?).

Kick will get the suggested EMAD 2 Clear Batter and EMAD Resonant heads.

Something like the (Very expensive DW) kit used here by Don Henley (drum roll at the songs end at 04:58).

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jDDXHdHSinM

The sound from them makes me visualize crumpled toilet tissue being thrown inside the toms.

Anyway, any input/tips would be appreciated.

[dharma bum]

I've seen Mapex Pro M shell packs, 5 piece, for $700 to $800 - do a web search. I've got a set and they're very, very solid drums, all maple. You may want to take a look.

[stillgroovin]

A picture is worth a thousand words. With new heads my kit sings. I played the renowns, and really didn't notice a big enough difference to warrant the higher price. The renowns have die cast hoops but the heavy flanged hoops on the Cats make the maple sound just fine.

http://img6.pictiger.com/23f/14718037_th.jpg (http://tillerman17.pictiger.com/images/14718037/)

[stampszzz]

A picture is worth a thousand words. With new heads my kit sings. I played the renowns, and really didn't notice a big enough difference to warrant the higher price. The renowns have die cast hoops but the heavy flanged hoops on the Cats make the maple sound just fine.

http://img6.pictiger.com/23f/14718037_th.jpg (http://tillerman17.pictiger.com/images/14718037/)

Thanks for responding nice looking kit (Viewed your pics) I noticed you are using the Evans coated batters (EC 2's ?). Did you change the resonants as well or leave the stock ones ?

Thanks again,

Stampszzz

[stillgroovin]

I changed the batter heads to Evans G1's and the resonant heads are Evans genera glass. The stock heads were just plain crap.

[stampszzz]

I changed the batter heads to Evans G1's and the resonant heads are Evans genera glass. The stock heads were just plain crap.

Okay thanks, I'm definitely going to change the resonants as well now I'm just wondering if it would be more advantageous using a 2 ply on the bottom as well for the purpose of eliminating as much ring as possible.

[stillgroovin]

I have no unwanted ring with these heads. I'm not sure that putting 2 ply on the resonant heads is a good Idea. The reso head needs to resonate!!!! 2 ply will choke the natural sound of the drum so that you end up with a hatbox sound. Guys, am I on track with this or am I wrong here?

[stampszzz]

I have no unwanted ring with these heads. I'm not sure that putting 2 ply on the resonant heads is a good Idea. The reso head needs to resonate!!!! 2 ply will choke the natural sound of the drum so that you end up with a hatbox sound. Guys, am I on track with this or am I wrong here?

I think you're right, I just got off the phone with a guy I know with more experience than I and it's funny he made reference to cardboard boxes when I mentioned 2 ply or the Evans Coated Heads for the resonants.

Evans G1 Clear then ?...

[stampszzz]

I changed the batter heads to Evans G1's and the resonant heads are Evans genera glass. The stock heads were just plain crap.

Woops there it is I should pay better attention...

Okay G1 resonants.

Only thing is I stumbled on the Evans "Hydraulic Glass" Heads on their website that they claim give "That fat 70's sound".

I was originally going with the EC2 Clears (They also make EC2 Coated that look more transparent/clear than what you are using).

I would like my kit to sound as much as possible like the kit Steve Gadd used on the "Aja'
recording (I think I read somewhere it was a birch kit) but anyway it may be unrealistic but that kind of sound is what I'm after.

(I also have a link to another kit used by Don Henley I posted in my first post on this).

Thanks again stillgroovin

[volvoguy]

If you're in college, and can pull it off, get the best summer job you can, live with your parents, let the rest of the band buy the beer..... save your pennies, and get the kit you really want. That's what I did eleven years ago: The most fiscally responsible I've ever been in my life. Down payment in early June, the rest when the drums show up from the factory in July or August.

Anywhoo, for stock shell packs, look on the internet for drums as well, places like:

musiciansfriend.com
music123.com
massmusic.net (great prices on Ludwig stuff!)

This will at least get you up to speed on the more common shell packs out there.Customer reviews as well (though, these can be biased). Also notice that everyone is selling these things for about the same price... and that free floor tom is how Gretsch sells the drums from the factory (see their website). Sort of like selling a car with a "free" fourth tire. :-)

That said, I'm seriously considering a Catalina Maple, or most likely the Catalina Jazz as a second kit for dragging around.

-Ryan

[stillgroovin]

Stampszzz,

I think you may have confused two different heads. I am using the GENERA glass reso heads. Evans does make a Hydraulic batter head which is a 2 ply head with oil between the plys. That WILL give you that Boxy 70's sound for sure! Totally different head!! I'm not sure if Gadd was using a hydraulic head on AJA but I do know he had Remo ebony heads on all his toms for a long time. Hope this clears things up for you.

[stampszzz]

Thanks for everything, yeah I think I am going to try the Hydraulic heads with a single ply resonant. I may end up trying more types with this kit than I have with the past kits I've had.
I'll definitely look into the ebony's as well.

[Drumalltheway]

If possible, try to spend a little more for Renown Maple. It is a much beter kit and will last a lot longer too. The sound is of course unbeatable...the re-sell market is bigger too

[hyperdrummer]

bought a Gretsch Catalina jazz kit for $475 new at GC, sounds every bit as good as any high end kit I've ever owned.

I usually don't go into GC and beat on drums like most guys it seems. But I always take about 5-min or so to play one of these if it's set up. I'm always amazed at how good it sounds, and how the little 18" kick will blow your mind the first you hit it.

[Galosat]

A picture is worth a thousand words. With new heads my kit sings. I played the renowns, and really didn't notice a big enough difference to warrant the higher price. The renowns have die cast hoops but the heavy flanged hoops on the Cats make the maple sound just fine.

http://img6.pictiger.com/23f/14718037_th.jpg (http://tillerman17.pictiger.com/images/14718037/)

Hey I love that set!!!! I have the same one! It is of great quality!

I'm looking to get new head for my snare. What do you currently use?

Please let me know!

Thanks!

Galosat.

[stillgroovin]

I am using a Mapex Black Panther 12in with a remo coated emperor head.

[Shedboyxx]

I'm a Gretsch owner ('80's blond maple) and love the drums I have. I get comments on how nice the kit sounds. The second kit I have is a Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute Nouveau. I mention both to make the point that I don't need anymore sets right now.....OK I'm also saying that to try to keep my mind from gear lust...:)

If I had neither of these and I was looking, I'd get the Renowns. I've NEVER heard anything but good about them. I do play professionally so I want a kit that is usable and excels in live and studio situations. I second the vote for the Gretsch Catalina Jazz kit. I got my church to buy one and it sounds great. Although I switched out the heads for Aquarian TC's, the G1's that came stock on this drum set sounded fine - unlike most stock heads which are inferior.

I've heard many more good things than bad about the Catalina Maples. The not-so-good things I've heard had to do with edges, stock heads, wrap jobs and in some cases, hardware.

IMO, the heads should be replaced right off to make sure you hear the real sound this kit can make. That should include all the tom and snare reso. heads as well. Batter heads should be replaced on all drums including the bass drum.

If you buy heads at the same time you buy the drums, it would be worth it to take the stock heads off right away and check the edges and the wrap. It would be a bummer to discover this months later when you can't return it or pick another kit in stock. Sometimes these defects can be on just one drum. If you buy from Guitar Center, let them know you want to do this upon delivery and ask what would happen if something like the wrap or edges were defective on the kit you pick out.

The hardware on a shell pack is minimal. Just lugs, rims, bass drum spurs and tom mounting hardware. You probably won't see any defects but be aware you might start to see some issues if you start moving them around a lot. If you gig heavily, you might need to replace the tom mounting stuff within a year or two. If the set stays at home most of the time, you'll probably have few if any issues. The lug inserts and tensions rods will probably just need to be lubed with white grease or petroleum jelly. Check rims for straightness when you remove the stock heads. You can do this by putting the rim on a smooth flat surface like a glass top table to see if it's bent at all.

I'm not trying to 'poison the well' or berate Gretsch for any reason. I've just read posts where these issues came up. FWIW: I have not heard of the issues I mention happening on the Gretsch Renowns, USA Customs or Classics - ever.

Just be a wise and patient shopper and you should have a set that makes you happy.

Jim

[Miggle]

I've had my Catalina Maple for 2years already.
They are OK sounding drums. The snare's pretty decent. Love the 10" tom too.

The quality of the shells and hardware are pretty bad for $700. I've never seen one without dents on the bearing edges. My 14" tom hoop got warped pretty bad and I don't know how (i dont hit hard and dont play much).

If I were to purchase a new kit in its price range, it would be Mapex Pro M, Tama Superstar or Pearl VSX. From what I've read, they are more rugged. I've played with the Superstar and really dig them.

But if you can, go for Gretsch New Classics. Those drums are killers! (but costs 3x as much) :-)