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View Full Version : Green Gretsches assembled

stasz
03-17-2008, 05:27 AM
After about a month and a half I finally assembled my Gretsch USA Custom drums. To be honest, only half of them. Meaning I've only been able to get lugs to fit the snare drum and bass drum. Right now I'm using my Ludwig accent toms. I'll be ordering lugs for the two Gretsch toms from Precision Drum Company when I get the chance. Also on the list are some new BD claws (preferably die-cast, a couple of mine are bent) and new skins on top and bottom for the BD and both toms.

Now, as for the assembled ones:

I just threw a coated ambassador over a snare side ambassador on the snare drum and I'm pretty impressed. This drum has just great sensitivity, nice body and real crack to it. It's a big step up from my old snare drum. I also had someone play it while I stood back and was again impressed. The bass drum is a little weak but is in desperate need of new heads, so I expected it. If I ever get the chance I'd like to try die-cast rims on the snare, probably because that's how it was intended to be.

Specs:

Gretsch USA Custom

16 x 22 Kick
5 x 14 Snare

Ludwig Accent

9 x 12 rack tom
16 x 16 floor tom

Sabian

HH 14" Bright Hi-Hats
AAXplosion 18" Crash

Zildjian (plan to replace after I get some Giant Beat hi-hats)

ZHT 10" Splash (not pictured)
ZHT 18" China w/ sizzle chain

Paiste (my plan is to pick up a 24" Giant Beat Ride to form a trifecta of beastly rides that all crash beautifully... but I seriously doubt it will happen.)

505 20" Med. Ride
Traditionals 20" Med. Ride

Pictures (lots of them)- the last two are composites that I tried to put together in Photoshop, so they look a little funky.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0026.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0018-1.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0015-3.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0014-3.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0013-1.jpg

Approximate Driver's Seat pics

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0032-2.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0034-1.jpg

The snare (try and guess where I bought the heads)

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0033-1.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/IMG_0035-1.jpg

Composites

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/comp1.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/youenjoy00myself/comp2.jpg
stasz
03-21-2008, 12:11 AM
Shameless bump... no comments?
Muffled Tom
03-21-2008, 12:14 AM
Shameless bump... no comments?

Pretty nice. Feels like a setup I'd use.

Good to see the B8's in the back.. gives a B8Pro kid like me some hope for the future, seeing your AAX's, AA's, and HHs.
metal overlord
03-21-2008, 12:15 AM
Nice, good to see it in all it's glory.


I see in one of your pics there is a lonesome tom in the background. You ain't using it or what?
metal overlord
03-21-2008, 12:16 AM
And why does it say Ludwig?
Muffled Tom
03-21-2008, 12:20 AM
And why does it say Ludwig?

Probably using the Reso head from a Ludwig.
stasz
03-21-2008, 05:45 AM
Nice, good to see it in all it's glory.


I see in one of your pics there is a lonesome tom in the background. You ain't using it or what?

Nope... that's the 16" floor from the new kit, and I don't have the lugs yet. I'm going to order some soon. I'm probably gonna get a new set of bass heads first, though. Speaking of which... the front kick head is from my old kit (a ludwig) which is why the brand name is incorrect.
stasz
03-21-2008, 05:48 AM
Pretty nice. Feels like a setup I'd use.

Good to see the B8's in the back.. gives a B8Pro kid like me some hope for the future, seeing your AAX's, AA's, and HHs.

Oh but don't forget... B8 doesn't mean "un-professional". My main ride is a 20" Paiste 505 which is B8 and is a sweet sweet pie. Eventually I'll probably go all Paiste, as much as I like my HH hats, I'd rather get some Giant Beat hi-hats. (also B8)
prempex
03-21-2008, 12:45 PM
is that a dixon pedal by any chance?
stasz
03-21-2008, 02:46 PM
is that a dixon pedal by any chance?

Yes, good eye. It's a decent pedal, and I really bought just because the stock pedal was pretty lightweight. If I do ever get everything I need for the other drums and the cymbals I want, then I plan on upgrading to maybe some Iron Cobras or Flying Dragons.
baz
03-21-2008, 04:00 PM
...Nice work Youenjoy.

I like the set up, and look forward to seeing the updates.

Nice job.

Barry
aydee
03-21-2008, 04:06 PM
Very nice colour n set up.. and I do have a soft corner for Gretsch even if I dont own them.
prempex
03-22-2008, 02:56 AM
Yes, good eye. It's a decent pedal, and I really bought just because the stock pedal was pretty lightweight. If I do ever get everything I need for the other drums and the cymbals I want, then I plan on upgrading to maybe some Iron Cobras or Flying Dragons.

i have a dixon double at the moment.
great beginner double pedal, but after playing it for 3 years, im tyring to upgrade.
its like, the faster i go, the less responsive it gets. but it has serve dme well. its lasted.
maddrummr
03-22-2008, 05:41 PM
DUDE!

I love the drum pad!

OH nice kit too.
skaliwag66
03-24-2008, 03:16 AM
What an incredible kit.
stasz
03-24-2008, 04:37 AM
What an incredible kit.

Wow, thanks. I wouldn't say incredible so much but I appreciate the reply.
NIMBY
03-24-2008, 10:41 AM
i had the same dixon pedal, well, still have it but don't use it.

it wasn't actually that bad which surprised me being as cheap as it was.

but i will say going from that to a DW 9002 is like going from a $2 slice of cake to being surrounded in expensive, yummy cake...its heaven! mmmm cake
LucaCimarusti
03-24-2008, 11:20 PM
nice,the drum pad! also from chicago?
stasz
03-25-2008, 12:27 AM
nice,the drum pad! also from chicago?

Nah, I'm down in central Illinois. It's about a 2 hour drive. I stopped by to look for parts, buy heads, and play some Paistes (they're a registered dealer). Really great shop, good service, prices, and selection. I'll probably stop by another time and make another purchase.
skaliwag66
03-25-2008, 01:17 AM
Wow, thanks. I wouldn't say incredible so much but I appreciate the reply.

hahah
well i dig kits like this
at first glance it looked like a vintage kit
the snare looks awesome
any sound clips or videos?
stasz
03-25-2008, 01:30 AM
hahah
well i dig kits like this
at first glance it looked like a vintage kit
the snare looks awesome
any sound clips or videos?

No, I don't have any recording equipment. I need to get some soon enough though... I'd like to get some recordings done.
Rodaquino
06-05-2008, 04:49 AM
what a lovely kit,i like to much the position of the cymbals,do you have another big floor tom "ala" bonham?,see yaa peace.
stasz
06-05-2008, 04:51 AM
Thanks, I like it too. The cymbals are very comfortable for me. No extra floor tom, although I'd love one. Someday...
slingerland755
06-05-2008, 05:26 AM
Nice kit. Looks comfy.
Vril drumms
06-06-2008, 07:56 PM
Awesome kit! Im diggin the set up too
rmandelbaum
06-06-2008, 11:05 PM
Very nice, I wish I have some more of those 505s. they were great cymbals.
stasz
06-07-2008, 12:59 AM
Very nice, I wish I have some more of those 505s. they were great cymbals.

Totally agreed. As far as I'm concerned it's a professional level cymbal. I love it.

P.S. I need to get some more recent pictures up. I got a great-looking white front head for the kick with the obligatory Gretsch logo.
Red Hawk
06-07-2008, 01:17 AM
regarding 505s....

i split a gig with another band last week and the drummer for the band after us opted to use my kit and cymbals. He didn't really like the sound of my K pre-aged dry light ride so I introduced him to the glory of the 22" Paiste 505 ride. Long story short, at the end of the gig he offered me 600 bucks for it and I turned him down.

Just another of those "don't judge a cymbal by it's series" stories. You have to play cymbals to know if they're good or not.

That said... I would give my left nut for a 20" 505 ride, and this is only the second one I've seen photo evidence of...
alow_groover
06-13-2008, 06:36 AM
i had the same dixon pedal, well, still have it but don't use it.

it wasn't actually that bad which surprised me being as cheap as it was.

but i will say going from that to a DW 9002 is like going from a $2 slice of cake to being surrounded in expensive, yummy cake...its heaven! mmmm cake

:))What's whit the DiXon Pedals?!?!?! Joking........ i true own a DiXon double pedal but sadly it doesn't respond well anymore. I too go straight for The Iron Cobra "Cobra Coil" heard that they are fantastic. Now, where i live a Cobra Coil is 360.00 EUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cypriss
06-13-2008, 06:42 AM
Wow that is a wicked green! Does the colour show up in real life a bit more prominently? Do they only have 8 lugs on the USA customs?
Mendozart
06-13-2008, 07:23 AM
regarding 505s....

i split a gig with another band last week and the drummer for the band after us opted to use my kit and cymbals. He didn't really like the sound of my K pre-aged dry light ride so I introduced him to the glory of the 22" Paiste 505 ride. Long story short, at the end of the gig he offered me 600 bucks for it and I turned him down.

Just another of those "don't judge a cymbal by it's series" stories. You have to play cymbals to know if they're good or not.

That said... I would give my left nut for a 20" 505 ride, and this is only the second one I've seen photo evidence of...
Back in the mid 80's I went shopping for a ride cymbal. I must have checked out over 20 rides but the 22" 505 sounded best to my ears. I still own it.