Gretsch Catalina Maple Fusion

[Tom B.]

I can get a 6-ply, 6 piece all maple, Gretsch drum set, for $500?

That doesn't seem right to me, does anybody have any prior experience with this set? Is it really the bargain it seems to be?

Here's the link:
http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Drums-Catalina-Maple-Fusion-Limited-Edition-Shell-Pack-with-Free-16-Floor-Tom?sku=500904

[GRUNTERSDAD]

That must be the price and yep it's a good deal. If you have the cash, make the dash. I don't think you will be disappointed.

[Mastershake16]

definatly a good deal

[bd50]

hey tom b.,,, did you ever purchase that limited edition catalina maple for $500?

i'm looking at it as well,, and was curious to know what you think of it so far, if you got it.

thanks

[Strangelove]

Yes, I own one and it is a great deal. I believe it is the best buy on the drum market right now. Who else has 6 and 8 ply maple shells for that price?

[drumhead61]

That must be the price and yep it's a good deal. If you have the cash, make the dash. I don't think you will be disappointed.

I am with G-Dad on this one...if ya got it (the cash) then definately a time to part with it...sweet deal!

[bd50]

no one at my local sam ash or gc have heard of the 'limited edition' catalina maple,, they insist it's the same common cat maple kit with different color options.

i even showed them the printout from musician's friend site,, and they were still lost.

anyway,,, i think and hope the limited edition cat maple is of the same quality as the normal cat maple,,, and is perhaps only priced that low to push them out of the way for newer models..(?)

[bd50]

ok folks,, i just emailed gretsch asking for more info on the differences between the cat maple and this lower priced 'limited edition' cat kit.

i will post up their response in the next day or so, as soon as i get it.

rock on ;)

[bd50]

here is the response from Gretsch customer service, regarding the cat maple limited edition:



Thanks for your question and for your continued support for Gretsch drums. The Catalina Maple kit you are referring to is a limited edition set that has been available since the end of last year. The shells are the same in both kits but there are a few hardware differences. The LTD set has the Gretsch branded BD tom plate (GS-4945) and Gretsch branded ball-and-socket tom mount (GTH-DL). The tom mount brackets and FT leg brackets are what we call GS-9020, which are different from the standard hinged bracket available on our standard Catalina Maple set, and have an internal eyebolt fastener.

The Catalina Maple LTD kit comes in two colors - Honey Amber and Deep Cherry Red. The shells are all maple and, we have received many accolades on this kit's sound/performance.

Thanks again for your continued interest and support of Gretsch drums.

Best regards,
Gretsch drums

[airsmunch1]

Just saw the price of this kit drop to $500 at the major chains so yeah it is a good deal.

I have the exact same kit, with some modifications and additions... and I love them. Are they the best? After I get to tuning them and working on them they are!!

Spend more if you like, but mine sound like heaven to me.

Sound is a perspective thing...

www.wolvesatthedoor.net

[stillgroovin]

I own this kit and the sound is awesome. You just can't think about the money vs value argument....buy it....you will not be disapointed!

[Strangelove]

I can get a 6-ply, 6 piece all maple, Gretsch drum set, for $500?

That doesn't seem right to me, does anybody have any prior experience with this set? Is it really the bargain it seems to be?



Yes and yes. It is worth every penny.

[bd50]

for anyone else interested in a cat maple,,, i found a guy on ebay who sells the 6 piece fusion kit for 750,, WITH 4600 series gibraltar hardware pack.

not a bad deal imo.

search for calpercussion (california percussion) in ebay stores.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I check daily at: Ebay, musical instruments, drums, sets, Gretsch. There are some great deals there.

[stillgroovin]

Had to share this with you guys, especially since we are on this topic regarding the Cat Maples. I love my kit ,but I just wasn't happy with the snare that came with it. Now don't get me wrong. It's not a bargain basement snare but I just couldn't get it to sound the way I wanted. So....I bought a Gretch classic broken glass snare to replace it and then decided to do a little experementing with the " stock" snare. After reading an article on the Gretch "Silver Seal" they add to their Renown shells I decided to seal the interior of my snare to duplicate the effect of the sealer, making the shell more resonant. I took the drum completly apart and proceded to sand the interior of the shell with 220 grit paper, ending up with a baby smooth finish. I then applied 4 coats of Orange Shellac , effectivly sealing the wood and staining the maple a warm mellow color. After letting it dry for 24 hrs I re-assembled the drum and tuned her up. All I can say is WOW. This snare now has a totaly different sound, bright, crisp and articulate. My original intent was to seal the interior with silver paint but the shellac allowed the natural look of the wood to show through the bottom head. I now have two snares , with different pitches that can work in any genre of music. All in all, a sucessful project.

[bd50]

well today i placed my order for the cat maple fusion 6 piece, cherry red finish. i should hopefully have it in less than 10 days (WAY TOO LONG TO WAIT, LOL).

749.00 with gibraltar 4600 series hardware and throne included.

pics will be posted upon it's arrival.

thanks for all the input on this site!

rock on

[pearlygates]

Had to share this with you guys, especially since we are on this topic regarding the Cat Maples. I love my kit ,but I just wasn't happy with the snare that came with it. Now don't get me wrong. It's not a bargain basement snare but I just couldn't get it to sound the way I wanted. So....I bought a Gretch classic broken glass snare to replace it and then decided to do a little experementing with the " stock" snare. After reading an article on the Gretch "Silver Seal" they add to their Renown shells I decided to seal the interior of my snare to duplicate the effect of the sealer, making the shell more resonant. I took the drum completly apart and proceded to sand the interior of the shell with 220 grit paper, ending up with a baby smooth finish. I then applied 4 coats of Orange Shellac , effectivly sealing the wood and staining the maple a warm mellow color. After letting it dry for 24 hrs I re-assembled the drum and tuned her up. All I can say is WOW. This snare now has a totaly different sound, bright, crisp and articulate. My original intent was to seal the interior with silver paint but the shellac allowed the natural look of the wood to show through the bottom head. I now have two snares , with different pitches that can work in any genre of music. All in all, a sucessful project.

Interesting.. Thanks for sharing this with us. I too just purchased a Gretsch cat maple and I hafta say that is an outstanding sounding and looking KIT!
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?p=542020&posted=1#post542020

[John Galt]

wow........you guys shouldnt complain over price. I'm looking at the kit here in Sydney costing $1800AUD, which is about $1200US.

Great looking kit, and going to be my first!

[Mike St.Clair]

Anyone have any of these kits left?

[pearlygates]

Check music123 or Musiciansfriend for the $500 shell pack deal..they may be all gone by now..it's worth a shot tho.

[Mike St.Clair]

I believe Lonestar percussion was the only place I saw.

[Mike St.Clair]

I guess I should have mentioned I don't need hardware as I have all my Tama Roadpro stuff still. I did read the Gretsch response telling of the suttle differences, sounds like the limited kits were just a real deal.

[pearlygates]

I guess I should have mentioned I don't need hardware as I have all my Tama Roadpro stuff still. I did read the Gretsch response telling of the suttle differences, sounds like the limited kits were just a real deal.
Dude, even at $750..even 1k these Catalina Maples are HOT-HOT-HOT!
This is the best kit out there for under 1k.(IMO) The best kit I have owned for under a thousand clams They are sold as a shell pack (what you need) However there are some I net dealers selling the 6pc, shelly with a lower rent HW pack for $750. Even if you don't score the $500 deal, the $750 price tag for these kits is a steal!

[Mike St.Clair]

Yea, but after having spent around $1200 on a set of 06 Tama Starclassics, I would hunt for a set of them used for $1000 or less. I was blown away by them after owning my Gretsch catalina birch kit a few years ago. It looks like there are quite a few of the regular Catalina maple kits floating around. Maybe Sam Ash or GC locally has a set I could go whack on.

[Mike St.Clair]

I spoke to Davis at Atlanta Pro, they sell the kit for $699. He also has a Mapex 5 Star limited edition in blue sparkle lacquer for $599. I'm assuming it's a ProM kit. http://usa.mapexdrums.com/images/news/MM526SFSOS_front.jpg Look good, for sure. A local shop has the Mapex Mbirch 6pc kit with hardware for $817 and may be willing to sell without hardware for less. Hmmm.

[yjb63]

Had to share this with you guys, especially since we are on this topic regarding the Cat Maples. I love my kit ,but I just wasn't happy with the snare that came with it. Now don't get me wrong. It's not a bargain basement snare but I just couldn't get it to sound the way I wanted. So....I bought a Gretch classic broken glass snare to replace it and then decided to do a little experementing with the " stock" snare. After reading an article on the Gretch "Silver Seal" they add to their Renown shells I decided to seal the interior of my snare to duplicate the effect of the sealer, making the shell more resonant. I took the drum completly apart and proceded to sand the interior of the shell with 220 grit paper, ending up with a baby smooth finish. I then applied 4 coats of Orange Shellac , effectivly sealing the wood and staining the maple a warm mellow color. After letting it dry for 24 hrs I re-assembled the drum and tuned her up. All I can say is WOW. This snare now has a totaly different sound, bright, crisp and articulate. My original intent was to seal the interior with silver paint but the shellac allowed the natural look of the wood to show through the bottom head. I now have two snares , with different pitches that can work in any genre of music. All in all, a sucessful project.

I did this as well and must say that it really transformed the snare drum into something 1000x better. I have put away my Pork Pie snare drum for the time beung, I just can't get enough of the cat maple snare drum now!