Replacing Bass Drum Claws on Gretsch Customs

[RobertM]

All,

I talked to some people today who own Gretsch USA Customs, and they confirmed that the metal bass drum claws, sans rubber spacers, do indeed mark up the maple hoops on the bass drum.

Is it possible to replace those USA Custom BD claws with something like the following?

http://www.precisiondrum.com/CL-CC.jpg

I believe this particular BD claw from Precision Drum contains an inner rubber spacer.

Just wondering if this claw would fit the Gretsch tension rods, etc.

Thanks!

[Artstar]

Is this the kit you decided on Robert?? I was asking you in another thread as well, just wondering..

[GRUNTERSDAD]

My Renowns came with rubber sleeves. I can't believe the USA Customs don't....

[RobertM]

My Renowns came with rubber sleeves. I can't believe the USA Customs don't....

Yeah, no kidding, G-dad. I can't believe it either. I have looked at several USA Customs, and all of them have that old-school wing-shaped BD claw with no rubber spacer.

I spoke to a guy today about this (he plays Customs), and he said the imported Gretsch kits (Renowns, New Classics) from Asia have the rubber spacers and things like that, but the USA Customs are kept old school for the very reason that Gretsch believes in the history of their sound--they don't want to alter anything, really, about the kit that inaugurated "that great Gretsch sound." It sucks, though, because the Custom BD claws do damage the wood hoops, especially given that maple is a soft wood. Indentations from tuning stress will happen easily.

This is why I fuss about Gretsch sometimes. Great drums, yes; but these kind of hardware issues drive me mad, especially when the Customs cost so darn much. The least Gretsch can do is modernize just a little bit when it comes to hardware that will protect the drum shells!

[RobertM]

Is this the kit you decided on Robert?? I was asking you in another thread as well, just wondering..

Not sure, Artstar. USA Customs are quite nice. However, we all know that other high-end kits from the big companies--i.e., a Tama SC Maple, a Pearl Master Maple, a Yamaha Absolute--can be tuned for jazz just like the Customs. True, Gretsch's edges and shell design do make it easier to achieve that classic bebop sound. It seems that the standard 45 degree edges on Tama, Yamaha, Pearl, etc., sometimes give the toms a brighter, more focused sound rather than a Gretsch round sound. So, Gretsch wins out here given that those Customs drums are more or less engineered for jazz. The Tamas and Pearls can do it too, but it seems that the tone will be a bit different and that it will take more tuning trial and error to get that jazz sound.

However, the Tamas and Pearls have such better hardware options for the money involved. Gretsch Customs (3 pc kit, for example) cost at least $200-$500 more than a comparable Tama SC Maple or Pearl Masters Maple, and for that you get flawed bass drum claws, average RIMS mounts, etc. With Pearl or Tama, you get rubber spacers on all claws, nylon tuning washers for better tension rod/tom tuning, and more specialized tom mounting devices.

So, hence my dilemma. Gretsch has some better color options than Tama and Pearl, but is that worth all that extra $? I sometimes wonder if it would be better to just go with a Tama SC Maple, get it tuned as best as possible for jazz, not really have the ideal shell color I want, and save a significant chunk of change. At the end of the day, the Tamas and Pearls are not bad drums: Starclassics and Masters Premiums are highly reputable and extremely well made in Japan and Taiwan, respectively--that is, these are not drums made in subpar Taiwanese or Chinese factories where cutting corners happens a lot.

It's a tough call. The Gretsch Customs would be cool to have, but then I have to worry about some of these minor concerns while shelling out more money (the irony: usually we worry about buying too cheaply with kits, but here I'm worried about construction issues on a high-end kit!).

I just find it odd that Gretsch doesn't fix some of this stuff. If you get any other top-end kit--a Yamaha PHX or Absolute, a Tama SC Maple or Bubinga, a Pearl Masters Premium or Masterworks, a Sonor Delite or SQ2, etc.--you don't even have to think about worrying about bass drum claws, tuning rods, and the rest--all of those issues are addressed up front.

[Moldy]

You can buy drum claw liners from drum parts stores, www.drummaker.com being one, I believe. Relatively cheap and a much better option than replacing the claws altogether.

[Artstar]

I just find it odd that Gretsch doesn't fix some of this stuff. If you get any other top-end kit--a Yamaha PHX or Absolute, a Tama SC Maple or Bubinga, a Pearl Masters Premium or Masterworks, a Sonor Delite or SQ2, etc.--you don't even have to think about worrying about bass drum claws, tuning rods, and the rest--all of those issues are addressed up front.

Yep, I see what you are saying. The USA Customs are probably my favorite for jazz, and they are just such an original relic of a kit, but brand new. They are just so cool!!

The Masters are probably the best deal, and every Pearl high end I have owned has been MORE than perfect. I don't get the people who diss them. Every MMX I've owned beat the DW's I've owned. Yes, really.

I know you don't mention Ludwig Classic Maples, but those are one of the most underrated kits (and lowest cost) on the market. Killer finishes, and you can choose lug, bass spur, bass claws, mounting, etc...

Here are the Starclassic Bubinga's cranked. You won't hear much with cheap speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrO4k5uOrR4&feature=PlayList&p=82A0139900240709&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=11

[mcbike]

My gretsch kit is going on 40 years now and the hoops are still in great condition. I don't think the rubber lined claws is that big a deal. The hoops see more damage from the kick pedal than anything.

As for other things like nylon washers, and stuff like that, I have never had a problem with my gretsch drums going out of tune. They are the easiest drums to tune, and they will stay in tune for a whole tour. I think the diecast hoops make the drums stay in tune.

I won't lie though, gretsch has never had good hardware or mounts, they just make incredible sounding drums. so many classic recordings have been made with gretsch drums that the sound is ingrained in our soul now.

I will say this though the classic lug design on the gretsch customs along with the claw design is my favorite lug of all time. Often imitated by many companies too.