Gretsch 70s COB snare question

[tbmills]

i went into gc today and came across a 70s gretsch 14x5 chrome over brass snare (#4160 maybe?) marked down to $250. it was in pretty good condition with only a little pitting and the batter hoop has a spot where the chrome is gone. honestly i dont care! it sounded like GOLD!!! i wanted to sell a kidney for this thing! on my snare at home i usually only rimshot (its the only way to make mine really sound good) but with the gretsch, it was very flexible. all in the same tuning, this thing sounded good and sensitive with a light trad touch in jazz and meaty in heavy crash-riding double bass with hard rimshots. it has the high crack i want with actual thick body instead of just overtones! recently, i have had trouble with a thin sounding snare, but this one is anything but thin.......

my question is simply this... is it worth $273 (after tax)?
what are the normal prices for snares like this?
i tried to search but found little...

i dont have the cash on hand but i can borrow it from my brother and have some cymbals and the snare i currently use to sell.

do you have any experience with this snare?
should i buy?

A DECISION MUST BE MADE BY THEIR BLACK FRIDAY SALE!!!!!

[onedevilsst]

Do it. I paid £150 for my COB Gretsch Snare. so well worth the money.

Snare for life, too!

[Wavelength]

Is it worth $273?

Yes! Twenty characters to boot!

[rmandelbaum]

I have a COB 70s Gretsch, I love it. Go take a look at ebay and see what they go for. Sounds like a good deal to me. And also a great way to start a nice snare collection.

Here is mine on the left side

http://robertmdrums.com/graphics/snares.jpg

[tbmills]

sweet! i am really wanting this snare. now i hope i can get it. it just needs some love and who better to give it than me?

[rjsteinbach]

i got this snare a month ago and is hands down my favorite snare, after owning quite a few.
I love the sound of brass, it hits you in the chest

[tbmills]

are there any common problems with this snare?
i figure that there arent because it has lasted 30 years...

[harryconway]

If you like the sound of it, grab it. $250-$300 is not a bad price at all, for a "quality" snare.

[tbmills]

If you like the sound of it, grab it. $250-$300 is not a bad price at all, for a "quality" snare.

just want to make sure it IS a "quality snare"

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

just want to make sure it IS a "quality snare"

I think you're pretty sorted. Gretsch make great drums and for the price - you can't go too wrong. If you liked the way it sounded, there's your answer.

[tbmills]

i bought it this morning. ill have pics up i a bit...

[tbmills]

alright i got the snare and am liking how it sounds. unfortunately i have a lot of clean-up to do and there are a few things id like some help with... if you can.

1. what is the best way to remove the tarnish and pitting from the chrome?
2. is there anything i can soak the hardware in to clean it easier?
3. the throw is not in very good shape. is there a retrofit kit for this snare with any high-end modern strainer. (i like the nickel and dunnett)
4. where can i search serial numbers to find info about this snares origin?

by the way, whoever owned this drum before didnt abuse it, but they did use anything they could find. it came with pearl snares with a few broken wires, held on with string on one side, plastic on the other. i am really looking forward to having a good sounding (done) good looking (almost) and good working snare. i plan on getting a modern strainer and using the original, stock snare tension adjuster as the butt.

here are some pics...
(the 6th picture shows the only big damage. chrome peeling on batter hoop)

[tbmills]

i just took the drum down to the shell. the only thing left is the badge and the serial number sticker on the inside. there is a lot of white powder where the lugs were. what should i use to clean it?

[Numberonefan]

alright i got the snare and am liking how it sounds. unfortunately i have a lot of clean-up to do and there are a few things id like some help with... if you can.

1. what is the best way to remove the tarnish and pitting from the chrome?



I use a product called never dull. My grandfather turned me on to it 30 or 35 years ago. It will work great on that!

[tbmills]

I use a product called never dull. My grandfather turned me on to it 30 or 35 years ago. It will work great on that!

for now im using standard window cleaner with a t shirt for a rag. i read that it works well on chrome.

[rmandelbaum]

First of all, AWESOME! that is a great snare. It has a great tone and a lot of cutting power.

I second the Never Dull, I use it on all my chrome snares.

I also soak the tension rods and receivers in lacquer thinner for a while. It breaks down and removes the built up gunk.

I don't remember if those lugs have springs but if they do I would suggest stuffing the lugs with foam or I have used cotton balls. This will eliminate the possibility of rattling or buzzing.

I also place a dab of Vaseline in the receivers to lubricate the threads. If you do it from the of the tension rods will spread it as they screw in.

I would do my best to use the sock throw-off system. That was very high end in its day. If you do change it out. KEEP the original, DO NOT get rid of it. It is a huge part of the value of that snare. Also if you replace it DO NOT drill any holes. You will also destroy the value of the snare.

You have a gem, do not ruin it.

[tbmills]

I would do my best to use the sock throw-off system. That was very high end in its day. If you do change it out. KEEP the original, DO NOT get rid of it. It is a huge part of the value of that snare. Also if you replace it DO NOT drill any holes. You will also destroy the value of the snare.

You have a gem, do not ruin it.

i would NEVER drill this snare. im smarter than that. the stock throw off has two long rivets that act as axles for the whole part. the pressed end of the rivet on both are stretched. if that makes any sense. you can see in my picture of the strainer the screws at the bottom that grab the snare cord. i took those and the grabbing back plate off and stored them (not throwing anything away!!! i promise) the screws caught the hoop when the throw was on its way to the dropped position. they also touched the shell making some small scratches. not cool. now there are just holes like on the butt. ill use some snare cord instead of a plastic strap. no biggie. hopefully it works fine then.

if not, i will retrofit a dunnett strainer without drilling. isnt there a guy on here who makes a plate that converts the hole patterns on these old snares?

[Numberonefan]

Night and Day is the difference between Never Dull and Window Cleaner. Never dull will restore it far beyond what you see now. It will in fact remove much of the superficial pitting I see in your photos. Use it on all your stand and Cymbals.
You will not be disappointed. It will be the best 5 bucks you ever spent!

[tbmills]

yea ill get some tomorrow. windex cleaned it but that stuff should polish it.

[rmandelbaum]

Yes there is a guy,

http://dwsnare.com/

[tbmills]

Yes there is a guy,

http://dwsnare.com/

i sent him an email asking about 70s gretsch cob's. hopefully he makes them or at least is willing to...

[tbmills]

so it is done...

i went and got some nevr dull and goof-off did the deed.
i took the snare down all the way...
lugs off. springs and rod receivers out.
soaked lugs screws, tension rods, springs, and rod receivers in goof-off and water.
cleaned the shell, lugs, hoops, strainer and throw with the nevr dull.
i put foam under the lugs to muffle any squeaks or rattles.
and have yet to put the snare wires back on... it was too beautiful to not go ahead and shoot

the snare is immaculate.
if im not in LOVE with it, im gonna sell it.
see if i can turn some profit.

im curious, how much do you think i could get for it?

here are the pics

[rmandelbaum]

Is the little clip on the airhole that holds in the tuning key?

[tbmills]

Is the little clip on the airhole that holds in the tuning key?

yes it is. i need to get a matching key.

[tbmills]

finished pics...
isn't she beautiful?
does anyone have an appraisal?
could i get over 325? 350?

[Numberonefan]

Looks great! Great Job. I take it you’re sold on never dull now? :-)

It’s a lot of friggin’ work but so worth it eh?

[marcin1091]

Hello,
I have a question about COB Gretsch snare drum. I have a chance to buy it for about 200$. This is 4160 model from 1979/80, missing the internal damper, but everything is working. Is it worth it?